Press Release: Rize of the Morning Star Campaign
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| Papuan Photo lish |
West Papuan Independence advocate, Ronny Kareni, who is based in
Melbourne, rejects the Australian Foreign Minister’s comments in Senate
Estimates last week, that the people who ‘fly the Papuan flags’ and who
‘talk the language of independence’ are part of a ‘cruel deceit’ by
‘self-indulgent people’ who are safe in their ‘own democracy’.
“For the last 50 years, the struggle has been driven by the Papuans
themselves putting their life on the frontline in West Papua and abroad,
campaigning against the entrenched brutality by Indonesian security
forces” says Ronny Kareni.
“We build solidarity with groups in Australia and abroad but this
movement was initiated and is primarily driven by West Papuans in West
Papua – who seek an end to the human rights abuses and recognition of
their political rights to self-determination.”
West Papua was illegally occupied in December 1961 as part of the
Indonesian military operation “Trikora”, which aimed to seize the former
Dutch colony ‘Netherlands New Guinea’. West Papua’s independence was
denied by the UN. The UN subsequently granted Indonesia administration
of the the region and Indonesia ultimately gained full control in 1969,
after the referendum named ‘Act of free choice’. Despite this being
widely criticized as a sham vote that contravenes international law. “I
was born into this conflict, I’m the 3rd generation to face this ongoing
struggle for our rights for freedom.” says Kareni
“My parents were forced to flee and live in exile in Papua New Guinea
in the early 80s as part of the large exodus of West Papuans. It was
and remains very dangerous for West Papuans to peacefully campaign for
their human rights and political rights- even raising our Morning Star
flag can mean between 3-15 years in prison.”
It is estimated that 500,000 Papuans have been killed since Indonesia
took control. Yale University and Sydney University researches have
questioned whether this constitutes genocide.
“The West Papuan’s struggle for freedom is not as Bob Carr suggests
‘a fun little game for the greens party’. It is the West Papuans living
in Papua and in exile who are carrying the aspirations for our own
people. We ask the international community, Indigenous people in
Australia and the Australian politicians to hear the voice of the West
Papuans and support us in our struggle.”
“I find the Foreign Minister’s comments are discriminatory to the
West Papauns, as he implies that it is simply ‘self-indulgent’ people in
‘safe democracies’ that are leading this struggle for independence.
This is disrespectful of our fight for freedom for the last 50 years.
Everyday West Papuans risk their lives in Papua and abroad. Even those
of us involved in the independence movement abroad are monitored by the
Indonesian intelligence.”
“We call on the people of Australia to put pressure on the Australian
government to review it’s funding and training of Detachment 88 who are
alleged to have committed widespread violence and arbitrary detention
of Papuans who peacefully express their political views for
independence.”
“Providing access to independent foreign media and a UN fact finding
mission is vital so that the international community really knows what’s
happening in West Papua.”
