9-10-2002

Today, the Indonesian Embassy in London was occupied in solidarity with the people of West Papua fighting for their freedom. The occupiers chained themselves to railings in a third floor window shouting "Papua Merdeka" to the on lookiong crowd. The Indonesian flag was pulled down and the Papuan 'Morning Star' flag was about to be raised when Indonesian officials dragged the flag raiser who had climbed up the side of the building back into the embassy using unnecessary force.

A group of protestors had also gathered outside with banners reading "Free West Papua" and "Victory to the OPM". The building remained occupied for 3/4 hour whilst the demonstrators made their demands. The embassy staff were enraged and pulled people about. Eventually the police arrived and cut people from the railings. Four people were arrested and charged. Three are still being held in custody overnight and they will all appear in court tomorrow.

Their demands to the Indonesian government are to:

1. Stop the harassment and criminalisation of human rights workers and organisations operating in West Papua, in particular ELSHAM whose workers have recently had death threats as a result of ‘Operation Adil Matoa’.

2. Free Benny Wenda, a leader of tribal people who has been in prison for over three months without charge and has recently had assassination attempts made at him.

3. Conduct a full and independent investigation into the murder of Theys Eluay and bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

4. Withdraw all troops from West Papua.

5. Leave the Papuan people to live their own free lives in their land.


PAPUA MERDEKA!!!!!