Photo: RNZI/Johnny |
It's 55 years since the Papuan Morning Star flag was first flown
officially when the indigenous people of the former Dutch New Guinea
declared independence.
However 1961's declaration was soon eclipsed by a US-brokered
agreement between the Dutch and Jakarta which paved the way for an
Indonesian takeover.
The Morning Star was subsequently banned in Indonesia, but each year
on December 1st rallies around the world mark this anniversary in
support of Papuans by raising the Morning Star.
Half a dozen of them were present to hold the Morning Star at today's demonstration outside parliament.
In Wellington, on the steps of the New Zealand parliament, the Greens MP Catherine Delahunty conveyed a message of hope to Papuans.
"People of West Papua who are not allowed to raise their own flag, all over the world today we say to them do not give up hope. Merdeka! Freedom! Solidarity with West Papua."
Meanwhile, civil society groups planning to demonstrate in Indonesia's capital Jakarta today to raise West Papua's nationalist flag have been warned they face arrest.
And in Papua itself, in recent days, security forces had launched crackdowns in some towns in the region in anticipation of December 1st rallies.
sumber : http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/319403/nz-mps-among-those-sending-message-of-hope-for-papuans
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