Free West Papua

It comes following reports of an Indonesian performance group being booed off the stage at the recent Melanesian Arts Festival in Port Vila last week.

In a letter, Mr Dalesa said Ni-Vanuatu people loved Indonesians but hated the treatment of West Papuans by Indonesians.

The Daily Post reported the Indonesian group had to stop halfway through their performance and leave for a nearby cafe.

Sapolu joined a vocal group of supporters of the Free West Papua Movement in a peaceful protest this morning outside Sheraton Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia, which is the venue of the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit.

“We have to stand up because if we don’t, no one will. Let us talk about the freedom for the indigenous people of West Papua, of all Pacific islands, Unasa told journalists.

Yesterday was the 55th anniversary of the first official raising of the Papuan Morning Star flag when the indigenous people of the former Dutch New Guinea declared independence.

The Morning Star was subsequently banned after Indonesia took over, but an increasing number of global rallies mark this anniversary in support of Papuans.

This year, non-Papuan Indonesians were among the hundreds who demonstrated in the capital and were blasted by water cannons, before police arrested 203 of them.

Pastor Navuki says in fact his association’s position is not only to ensure West Papua’s full membership but also to see Indonesia don’t get full membership.

The Vanuatu Free West Papua Association is an NGO representing the civil society group and has organized marches through Port Vila in support of West Papua’s struggle for independence. Such marches have seen national leaders taking the lead.

Rize of the Morning Star CD Compilation #02 is the second edition of a long-term publicity campaign to spread light on the dark history of West Papua and to amplify the indigenous people’s cry for freedom.
The sounds of this star-studded music compilation will engulf listeners with soundscapes and songs with fierce messages that reflect the troubling heart of a people facing injustice, and a struggle for their rights to self-determination.

It has recommend that it becomes one of the five priority issues to be the agenda of the Pacific Forum Leaders when they meet in Papua New Guinea next month.

The recommendation will go before the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) for a final endorsement, when it meets in Suva next week.

SSCR documents obtained by PACNEWS reveal the Sub-Committee decided to act after an ‘increasing groundswell of support in the region for the people of West Papua, reflected in part by the media, particularly social media.’

The organisation’s General Secretary, Octo Mote says, there’s still a lot be done.

Being granted Observer status, adds a new chapter for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

A movement that champions self-determination.

Last week’s ruling by the MSG has boosted the confidence of the Movement.

Among the marchers were community leaders, politicians, church ministers and youth advocates.
 
Journalists estimated the crowd at over 200 that marched from the town's central market to the main government building, not far from the office of Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare.
 
One of Sogavare's daughters and a niece were among the pro-West Papua marchers, and it came a day after Sogavare announced that his government would not support the West Papua pro-independence's application for full membership of the MSG.
 

Among the marchers were community leaders, politicians, church ministers and youth advocates.

Journalists estimated the crowd at over 200 that marched from the town's central market to the main government building, not far from the office of Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare.

One of Sogavare's daughters and a niece were among the pro-West Papua marchers, and it came a day after Sogavare announced that his government would not support the West Papua pro-independence's application for full membership of the MSG.