TERRITORIANS have turned out in support of three West Papuan
students who entered Australia's consulate in Bali and pleaded with the
Federal Government to take up their cause.
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| Territory supporters gathered outside a barber shop near the Nightcliff Markets to voice their fears about human rights in West Papua. Picture: HELEN ORR |
A
small number of dedicated supporters gathered outside a barber shop
near the Nightcliff Markets to voice their fears about human rights in
the troubled Indonesian province that lies to Australia's north just
above the Torres Strait.
West Papuans have been fleeing to Australia in recent weeks.
There have been reports of an unconfirmed number now being held in Darwin detention centres.
Billee McGinley, 38, of Ludmilla said West Papuans face the possibility of torture at home.
"It's a huge human rights issue,'' she said. "They have a right to seek asylum here.''
Three West Papuan
activists, students Rofinus Yanggam, Yuvensius Goo and Markus Jerewon
climbed the wall of the Australian consulate in the early hours of this
morning.
They brought a letter addressed
to the Australian people asking Prime Minister Tony Abbott to push the
Indonesian government to release at least 55 political prisoners
jailed in West Papua.
They also
asked for foreign diplomats, journalists, observers and tourists to be
allowed into West Papua without special permits.
"We want these leaders to
persuade the Indonesian government to treat Papuan people better. Human
right abuse [sic] are our routine,'' the letter said.
The letter did not ask for independence from Indonesia.
West Papuan academic Dr Clinton
Fernandes said Australia's Consul-General in Bali, Brett Farmer,
threatened to expel the three men telling them to leave or he'd call
the Indonesian police, ABC news reported.
More News: NTNews.com.au
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