'Free West Papua! Let the refugees stay!'

SYDNEY — Sixty people gathered in front of the DIMIA offices on January 20 to protest the removal of the West Papuan refugees to the Christmas Island and call for their release into the community while their asylum claims are being assessed. The protest was adorned with numerous Morning Star (West Papuan independence) flags and addressed by the Greens, Refugee Action Coalition, Australia-West Papua Association and National Union of Students, amongst others.

"Many of the asylum seekers are students", said Resistance national coordinator Stuart Munckton, "and students in Australia have a special responsibility to ensure that their human rights are respected." For information about actions by young people in support of the West Papuan refugees, contact the Resistance branch in your city (details page 2).

From Green Left Weekly, January 25, 2006.

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From GLW issue 653