Free West Papua separatism is a problem, not a solution

This early December 2009, less then 5 papuans and several British citizens gathered in Westminster to demonstrate a small disturbance to the peaceful development of Papua and West Papua provinces. 

New strategy behind separatism in Papua

I think Benny YP Siahaan article on separatism in Papua is worth to be read and discussed. Many activist such as Rev. Richard Samuelson and Benny Wenda are always trying to provoke conflict in Papua. We should pray that those kind of activists someday realise that they pursue the wrong way.

Jakarta Post

Benny YP Siahaan, Geneva

Separatism in Papua is now perhaps the only remaining serious and long-standing separatist problem in Indonesia after the issue of Acehnese separatism was finally and successfully resolved. Following the Aceh peace deal in 2005, it is expected that the Papuan rebellion will follow in the footsteps of Aceh.

However until now there has been no indication that separatist sentiment in Papua is dwindling, in spite of the Indonesian government’s offer of a special autonomy package and various other efforts to win “hearts and minds” of Papuans.

There is a growing nonviolent separatist movement in Papua. In the last few years, we have noticed an incremental change in the strategy of the Papuan separatist movement. This strategy is two-pronged.

Papuans Need Democracy, Not Separatism

Yesterday I read this article in Papua Story, I can only make a short comment to Mr. Andri Hadi…what a brilliant choice of title! as for the content, I couldn’t agree with you more…

So please for all Papuans, Papua experts and Papua Observers, read this article carefully and try to understand Papua in a more objective perspective.

Papuans Need Democracy, Not Separatism

by Andri Hadi

The Jakarta Post
July 30, 2004

Efforts by certain quarters, within and outside Indonesia, to question the decolonization process in Papua gain a momentum by the declassification of restricted documents in the U.S. recently.

The documents portray the 1969 “Act of Free Choice” (AFC) as a sham, among others because it excluded most Papuans (Jakarta Post, July 16, 2004). Arguably, this development may provide ammunition to the hands of people pursuing the separatist aspiration in Papua, thus endangering Indonesia’s territorial integrity and its democracy.

Six Arrested For Raising Rebellious Flag In Indonesian Province

news from Bernama
July 21, 2008 16:24 PM

JAKARTA, July 21 (Bernama) — Indonesian police have detained six people for raising up separatist flag in easternmost province of West Papua in Indonesia at the weekend, National police spokesman Sulistyo said Monday.

The spokesman said that the six out of 46 people questioned by the police on Saturday, had been detained and allegedly involved in the hoisting of the flag known as “Bintang Kejora or Morning Star” in the province.

“The six persons were accused of involving a subversive act, by raising the flag,” Sulistyo told China’s Xinhua news agency on Monday.

West Papua: The Truth and Lies

Free West Papua (FWP) has received information detailing the truth and lies about West Papuan criminal detainees, who are held by the Indonesian police and prison service in Jayapura, Manokwari and Timika.

Even though unfair treatment of  criminal detainees are common in many places in the world, such unfairness can not take place in Papua. We should push the improvement of treatment of criminal detainees in Papua.

Asmat Opposes Separatism

JAKARTA [kompas] – Asmat people oppose separatism in the land of Papua and they hope that their land, Papua land, and Indonesia land become a peace zone for all living creatures. Those statement was said by the Head of Lembaga Musyawarah Adat Asmat atau LMAA (the Asmat Traditional Assembly), Yuvensius A Diakai, BA, in a press conference during the launching day of the  Asmat District New Vision at Department of Communication and Information (Depkominfo), Jakarta, Thursday(31/1/2008).

Amnesty Exeter Invites Papua’s Separatist Leaders in London

January 22nd, 2008 was the first time in the year of 2008 Amnesty Exeter (Exeter Amnesty International Group) invites West Papua  separatist leaders, Mr Benny Wenda & Mr Richard Samuelson. Mr. Benny Wenda who is Papuan gives talk about Human Right Issue in West Papua. He says Human Right violation in West Papua is committed by Indonesia Military toward West Papuan Peoples. Those propaganda was an old stories that Mr. Wenda keep echoing in UK. He also says that there is no freedom at all, and only killing, torture, imprisonment and intimidation. so we need international attention and keep an eye on the West Papuan Peoples. In contrast, the real situation in West Papua Indonesia is far from Mr. Wenda propaganda, that is a new democratic atmosphere is gradually developed.