Thousands of West Papuans march for independence

ABC News – On 14. November, the people, many in traditional dresses or painted in the colours of the Morningstar-flag, walked the 13 kilometres from Abepura to Jayapura, where they met with local MPs and call for a referendum on self-determination. One of the participants said, that the people of West Papua want freedom: “Indonesia kills many people of West Papua. West Papua have been victims from their country.”
The demonstration was largely peaceful, although there are reports that the police attempted to block the protesters from reaching Jayapura. The rally comes after at least six people were shot dead and more than a hundred were arrested and tortured by Indonesian security forces cracking down on a meeting in Jayapura last month. It was the Third Papuan People´s Congress to declare independence from Jakarta.

Please read also the article on www.abc.net.au/news with video footage.

ABC News – On 14. November, the people, many in traditional dresses or painted in the colours of the Morningstar-flag, walked the 13 kilometres from Abepura to Jayapura, where they met with local MPs and call for a referendum on self-determination. One of the participants said, that the people of West Papua want freedom: “Indonesia kills many people of West Papua. West Papua have been victims from their country.”
The demonstration was largely peaceful, although there are reports that the police attempted to block the protesters from reaching Jayapura. The rally comes after at least six people were shot dead and more than a hundred were arrested and tortured by Indonesian security forces cracking down on a meeting in Jayapura last month. It was the Third Papuan People´s Congress to declare independence from Jakarta.

Please read also the article on www.abc.net.au/news with video footage.