West Papua

“The Australian Defence Exports Office is a gift from the government to the weapons’ corporations,” Miriam Torzillo told protesters outside its office. Paul Oboohov reports.

West Papuan activist George Dimara and Indonesian Human Rights lawyer and West Papua solidarity activist Veronica Koman spoke as part of Ecosocialism 2022.

Socialist candidate Felix Dance said the federal government must be worried about its re-election chances for Peter Dutton to give a war speech on ANZAC Day, writes Mayura Ashok.

The 60th anniversary of the raising of the Morning Star flag was marked by activists in solidarity with West Papua at the State Library. Aaron Craine reports.

Activists from Quaker and Catholic community groups took action outside weapons manufacturer Nioa’s gates in Pinkenba, reports Kerry Smith.

Supporters of West Papua's struggle for self-determination took part in a Morning Star flag-raising ceremony at Leichhardt Town Hall, reports Peter Boyle.

West Papuan refugees and human rights campaigners are trying to meet government and Australian Federal Police officials to request they stop counter-insurgency training of Indonesian special forces. Kerry Smith reports.

A vigil for West Papua outside the Indonesian consulate in Sydney.

There has been a recent upsurge in activism around West Papuan independence, including among Indonesians, despite intimidation and serious consequences for activists.

A rally for a Free West Papua was held in Melbourne on September 14.

Independent human rights monitors are reporting that thousands of people have been displaced and healthcare facilities burned as a result of Indonesian military operations in Nduga, West Papua, according to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).

Free West Papua campaigners rallied in several cities on February 12.

New Zealand solidarity activist Maire Leadbeater’s new book, See No Evil: New Zealand’s betrayal of the people of West Papua, features a theme also relevant for Australia. Both countries were involved in the tragic betrayal of West Papua.

Melbourne researcher into satellite-communication and surveillance Jacob Grech claims Australia is ramping up arms exports to Indonesia at a time when Indonesia is stepping up its militarism in West Papua.

“We have just received urgent news from West Papua that 200 people have been arrested and 26 tortured by Indonesian police, two days before Indonesia hosts the World Press Freedom Day in Jakarta,” the Free West Papua Campaign said on May 1.

A group of West Papuans living in Australia and their supporters are walking 73 kilometres from Geelong to Melbourne over April 26 to 30 to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses experienced by indigenous West Papuans who have lived under Indonesian occupation since 1963 and to raise awareness of the campaign for a free West Papua.

The distance of 73 kilometres was chosen to signify the distance between Australian territory (Deliverance Island) and West Papua.

A rally organised by Australians for a Free West Papua in support of West Papuan independence was held outside the Indonesian Consulate in Darwin on January 31.

Maritime Union of Australia NT secretary Thomas Mayor pledged the MUA’s help to grow the campaign for a Free West Papua. The rally burned a copy of the Lombok Treaty.

The West Papuan struggle continues to gain momentum as the facts about the West Papua struggle become known via social media.

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