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WPNA calls on Indonesia to withdraw military forces from West Papua
West Papua National Authority (WPNA) Press Release - November 13, 2008
Edison Waromi LLB, Executive President of West Papua National Authority (WPNA) has called on the Indonesian Government to withdraw all its military forces from West Papua and release all political prisoners to show its genuine intention for peace and human rights.
Recently West Papua has seen an influx of military forces in the order of 5,000 in response to increased international attention on human rights violations, a higher rate of political imprisonment and the revelations of serious military incursions into the sovereign territory of Papua New Guinea. A protest today in Jayapura will see more arrests, Mr Waromi predicted.
Mr Waromi said "As Executive President of the West Papua National Authority I repeat my request that our people receive basic human rights and freedom of speech in line with relevant United Nations conventions and international standards."
"Our homeland should not be a military ghetto, but a free and prosperous place where any person can live a life with a good prospect for their future." "Today, I formally request that the diplomatic resources of the international community be focused on two issues."
"One, that the military occupation of West Papua be ended with the removal of all forces. West Papua is not a war zone. The military's only role there is to repress ordinary people."
"Two, that all political prisoners be released immediately. It is not a crime to speak freely, it is not a crime to express your culture and it is not a crime to be a West Papuan in West Papua."
For more information:
West Papuan contact: Secretary General, West Papua National Authority, +62 967 585 221
Australian contact: Herman Wainggai, Diplomatic Coordinator – Asia Pacific, West Papua National Authority, +61 450 393 527
[Members of the West Papuan Australian community are travelling to Canberra to remind both the Indonesian and Australian governments of this appalling situation through peaceful demonstrations and the handing over of letters with diplomatic officials and the Prime Minister's office scheduled for Friday 15 November.]
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