Update on West Papua December 2012

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Published: Monday, 17 December 2012 13:51

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Dear Friend of West Papua, 

I have just returned to the UK after a tour of Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana,
meeting with political leaders and activists and informing them about the
struggle of my people.

 In Guyana, I met with President Donald Ramotar, and also co-hosted a launch event for International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) in the capital Georgetown. Also in attendance were six party leaders from Guyana political parties, and the deputy speaker of the Parliament.

I also met Rashleigh Jackson, former president of the UN Security Council who
stated that "It is time to bring to a successful end the persistent and
courageous struggle of the people [of West Papua] for freedom and
independence. The campaign to free West Papua is eminently worthy of support
which I give wholeheartedly"

In Jamaica I met with community leaders in Kingston, and also with the Colonel
Frank Lumsden Maroon Council and local Rastafarian communities. A screening of
undercover West Papua documentary Forgotten Bird of Paradise was also held in
Kingston. In Barbados I met with members of the Pan African Movement and community leaders.

I was deeply moved by the warmth and hospitality shown to me on my journey,
and the support from everyone for true justice in West Papua. I have returned
to the UK knowing that the spirit of my peoples struggle is being recognised
and supported in the Caribbean.

Earlier today I received very sad news from West Papua. One activist in the
highland town of Wamena has been murdered by Indonesian security forces. The
activists are from the KNPB, a peaceful peoples movement that is calling for a
new referendum in West Papua.

Hubertus Mabel (aged 30) has been killed and Natalis Alua (28) is in a coma.
Simon Dabby (Head of KNPB in Wamena) and Baroy Sambom are amongst many that
have been arrested.

I am calling on all supporters around the world to make renewed calls to your
governments to put pressure on Indonesia to halt their campaign of terror in
West Papua. We need UN peacekeepers to be sent to save us, but this can only
happen if there is more cross-country pressure building up.

Now more than ever the Papuan people need you to be their voice. We have been
silenced for over 50 years, but our desire for justice and self-determination
will never be wiped out. I am a servant to my people and will continue to do
whatever it takes to ensure people find out the truth about what is happening
in West Papua.

Please keep following developments on our website (www.freewestpapua.org) and
also on the Facebook and Twitter pages.

I thank you for your continued support for our struggle.

Benny Wenda.
West Papua Independence Leader in the UK
+447766875009
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 345 8595
Fax: +62 21 3483 4759
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2.Irjen Pol. Tito Karnavian
Chief of Papua Regional Police
Jl. Dr. Samratulangi No. 8, Jayapura
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 967 531 014, 533 396
Fax: +62 967 533 763

2.Gen. Timur Pradopo
Chief of the Indonesian National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.