Graduating West Papuan students were attacked by Indonesian security forces, on May 5, for carrying their national flag, the Morning Star, in a parade to celebrate their achievement.
The parade took place in Kobakma town, in Indonesian occupied West Papua’s Central Mamberamo Regency.
The situation allegedly escalated after police tried to stop the celebration. The Indonesian security forces fired bullets and tear gas, injuring seven students.
Australia West Papua Association (AWSA) spokesperson Joe Collins said that when the parade neared the local police station at around 11am, police tried to block it “because the students were carrying their national flag, the Morning Star and also had the symbol spray-painted on their school uniforms, which is a common practice with students graduating in West Papua”.
The students allegedly scuffled with police, leading to an escalation in the situation. Local residents also objected to the police intervention, which further heightened tensions. The situation deteriorated, with some students allegedly throwing stones at the police.
The police responded by firing shots and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Human Rights Monitor (HRM) reported that seven Papuans were injured by bullets and one police officer sustained injuries.
The injured West Papuan students range in age from 17 to 24.
Collins said, "Again we have the usual heavy-handed approach to a peaceful celebration by students all because they were carrying their national flag, a symbol of great importance to the West Papuan people".
HRM said Indonesia should conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident “capable of identifying those responsible and ensuring accountability and reparations for the victims”.
AWPA said that while the Australian government “talks a lot about regional stability … the ongoing conflict in West Papua is the one issue that can cause the very instability that Canberra fears”.
“If Canberra thinks that by ignoring the issue it will disappear, it should remember that the West Papuan people are not going to give up their fight for self-determination.”