Latest information received from West Papua has confirmed fears that Indonesian security forces are rounding up West Papuans involved in peaceful actions held since the beginning of March. The following people have just been arrested and imprisoned at the Police Headquarters (POLRES) in Jayapura, having being charged with rebellion and disturbing security.

AWPA concerned about dangerously deteriorating situation in West Papua

There have been a number of demonstrations in West Papua in the last two weeks with demonstrators protesting the failed autonomy package.

concerning the dangerously deteriorating situation in West Papua

AWPA Newsletter No. 88

WEST PAPUAN leaders calling for a Referendum on the future of West Papua who were arrested by Indonesian Police for “spreading hatred against the government”, have been released without charge from Police Regional Headquarters this afternoon.

MEDIA ALERT
UPDATE ON LATEST SITUATION IN WEST PAPUA, POST MARCH 3 DEMONSTRATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION

Information has received from contacts on the ground in West Papua, indicate that a major shift in the political landscape is occurring in West Papua currently. The MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua, or People’s Consultative Assembly) is set to announce a permanent rejection of Special Autonomy and be alongside the West Papuan people as they call for Referendum. This situation has occurred amidst a climate of intimidation of West Papuan people that has increased exponentially in recent months. Recent meetings indicate that the Indonesian military is mobilising it militias (see background) to prevent West Papuan people express their legitimate aspirations.

The Lombok Treaty came into force on Thursday 7th January at a ceremony in Perth which was attended by the foreign ministers of Australia and Indonesia. We should be still concerned about the ties with the Indonesian military that this Treaty commits us too.

Internationally auspiced negotiations is the strategy to solve Indonesia’s problems in West Papua.