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 Papuas 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 Indonesias Special autonomy law, and said: The best solution is a referendum for West Papua.