Headline: West Papuan Leader Benny Wenda Calls for Boycott of Indonesia’s Independence Day, Says West Papua Flag Raising Is Illegal
West Papua’s pro-independence advocate Benny Wenda has urged a boycott of Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations, arguing that flying the Indonesian flag in West Papua is illegal. He noted that Papuan Independence Day falls on December 1, the anniversary of the 1963 handover of autonomy from Dutch authorities.
“The presence of the Indonesian flag in West Papua is illegal,” Wenda said in a statement. “Every year, Indonesia pressures West Papuans to raise their flag. Civilians are often threatened with arrest if they do not join in the celebrations. Indonesia knows that they will never win the support of West Papuans through social or political means, so they instead use fear and violence to force us to take part.”
Wenda highlighted the 2017 Papuan People’s Petition, which was signed by more than 1.8 million people, as evidence of broad support for independence. He added that while he respects Indonesian Independence Day, it should be celebrated outside West Papua—in Java, Sulawesi, and Sumatra—not in West Papua. He described West Papua as occupied territory and characterized every Indonesian flag raised on Papuan land as a symbol of ongoing colonialism.
Context and related voices
– Wenda, a prominent figure in the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has consistently argued that the West Papuan struggle for self-determination is non-negotiable and has called for international mediation and a UN-supervised vote to determine the territory’s future.
– The broader West Papua movement has frequently framed its struggle around self-determination and indigenous rights, with supporters urging international attention and oversight to ensure any outcome reflects the will of the Papuan people.
– In recent years, debates around amnesty for detainees and dialogue with Jakarta have featured prominently in discussions about West Papua’s path forward. Critics argue that amnesty alone cannot resolve the underlying issues without accountable processes and genuine self-determination mechanisms.
Summary and outlook
The call to boycott and the insistence on recognizing West Papua’s claim to self-determination reflect ongoing tensions between Papuan independence advocates and the Indonesian government. Supporters view peaceful, UN-guided dialogue and international oversight as essential to a lasting resolution that honors the will of the Papuan people. Opponents view national sovereignty as non-negotiable. The situation remains a focus for international human rights and Indigenous rights discussions.
Additional comments for publication
– Consider including a short explainer box for readers unfamiliar with West Papua’s history, including the 1969 integration and the 1967 Act of Free Choice, to provide broader context.
– Where possible, provide balanced quotes and perspectives from Indonesian officials or local West Papuan communities to give readers a fuller view of the range of positions.
– If updating, note any recent developments in international mediation efforts or humanitarian concerns in the region to keep the piece timely and informative.
Fijian language summary
Summary in Fijian
Na iVakamacala oqo e baleta na veika e tukuna o Benny Wenda me rogoa na soqo ni Independence Day ni Indonesia, ka tukuni ni illegal na kena vakatagi e West Papua. E tukuna talega ni na tukuni ni December 1 na Papuan Independence Day, na siga ni cakacaka ni 1963 ni a solia na vanua ko West Papua ki Indonesia. E tukuna ni sa lailai na nodra wasea na veiqaravi kei na veidinadinati ena vanua, ka vakaraiti ni sa vakamatavei e dua na ripoti e 1.8 million na tamata me soli na veikacatalo ni sucuwa na veika vata kei na inaki ni drekejia me itavi. E tukuna ni nai tikina ni veiwekani me kilai ki Vanua ni Papu me balavu mai na soqo ki na vanua ko Java, Sulawesi, kei Sumatra, kei sega ni vakataumata ki West Papua. E vakadeitaka ni na vakadewataka na vanua ko West Papua me vaka na vanua vei Indonesia kei na soqo ni matai ni vanua e tiko kina na Kalou ni soqo.
Note: Summary in Fijian above is intended for accessibility and local readers.
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