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West Papua - Security forces put on alert for 1st December
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) Media release - November 30, 2009
It has been reported that up to 400 police and military have been put on alert in Mimika in anticipation of possible Morning Star flag raisings by the West Papuan people
AWPA is concerned that the security forces will use any raising of the Morning Star as an excuse to crack down on the West Papuan people.
Joe Collins of AWPA said, "the 1st December is such an important date in West Papuan history that there is bound to be a number of flag raisings in the territory. We call on the Australian Government to urge the Indonesian president to control his security forces in West Papua".
The outlawing of the raising of a flag is in direct contravention of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (which Indonesia signed in 2006). Article 19.2 states:
2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.
Australia and the International community should be taking the Indonesian Government to task over the arrest of people who simply raise their national flag at peaceful rallies. There should be urging the Indonesia Government to immediately release all West Papuan political prisoners.
For more information contact Joe Collins on 04077 857 97
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