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WEST PAPUA
West Papua: Students rally for self determination

Raul Connolly

7 March 2008

According to a March 3 Radio New Zealand International report, a series of demonstrations calling for a referendum on Papuan self-determination took place on the same day in several main towns in Indonesian-occupied West Papua.

RNZI reported that at least two of the rallies have reportedly beenrestricted by police who have deemed any demonstrations without a permit illegal.

Rally organiser, the West Papua National Authority, which represents Papua’s influential student movement, said that they were peaceful events.

A spokesperson for WPNA, Jack Wainggai, said the rallies were voicing Papuans’ desire for a peaceful solution to the violence and poverty they live with, according to the report.

He rejected Indonesia’s “Special autonomy” law, and said: “The best solution is a referendum for West Papua”.