14 November 2011
Jayapura. Thousands of protesters
staged a pro-independence rally in Indonesia’s restive and resource-rich Papua
region Monday demanding a referendum for self-determination.
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Policemen walking in front of
pro-independence demonstrators during a rally outside the local parliament in
Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, in August. Thousands of protesters in the restive,
resources-rich region on Monday demanded a referendum for self-determination.
(Reuters Photo)
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More than 3,000 native Papuans,
some in traditional grass skirts, walked 13 kilometers from Abepura cityto the
provincial capital Jayapura to meet local lawmakers.
“The Papuan people have asked for
an immediate referendum for self-determination. We reject any dialogue with
Jakarta,” protest coordinator Mako Tabuni said.
“The referendum is
non-negotiable.”
Dozens of armed police attempted
to block the protesters but failed to stop them from reaching the local house
of representatives in Jayapura, where another 100 police waited on guard.
“We hope the protest doesn’t turn
anarchic,” a local police chief, Ari Sirait, said.
In late October, armed security
forces stormed a pro-independence assembly when a group of Papuan leaders
declared the region’s independence and raised the Papuan Morning Star
separatist flag.
At least three were killed in the
clash, and videos recently broadcast on Australian television showed police
beating unarmed protestors, including children.
For decades, ethnic Papuans have
rejected the region’s special autonomy status within Indonesia and poorly armed
separatist groups have fought a low-level insurgency.
A self-determination referendum
in 1969 that officially handed Jakarta power over Papua was widely seen as
rigged.
Indonesia has strict treason laws
and courts have handed down stiff penalties -- from 20 years in jail to life --
for people caught with separatist symbols such as the Papuan Morning Star.
Agence France-Presse
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