Press Release
The following statement has been released by Benny Wenda, West Papuan independence leader living in exile in the UK:
On Wednesday July 9th West Papuan people will boycott the Indonesian
Presidential elections. If there was any democratic space for us in West
Papua we would be able to freely express our political opinions.
Instead, Major General Zebua of the Indonesian Army has publicly
threatened to destroy West Papuans who refuse to vote. In the last week
people have been arrested and tortured for choosing not to vote. On
Sunday he put his forces on full alert.
Our people want to express their political opinion in their homeland.
Victor Yeimo, General chairman or the West Papua National Committee
(KNPB) (who is currently in prison for leading a protest) has asked
military and police to appreciate the political choice of the Papuan
people and to open up democratic space. However, the current situation
in West Papua is tense, with a widespread military crackdown on West
Papuans who refuse to vote in the Indonesian elections. Simion Daby,
Chairman of the KNPB Baliem, Wamena has stated, “We will boycott the
Indonesian elections with peace and dignity.”
We have received reports
of the following arrests related to the boycott: One woman was arrested
in Kaimana, also seven people in Timika and at least twenty in Boven
Digul. Also six people were arrested, beaten and then taken to the
Jayapura police station last Thursday for distributing flyers urging for
a boycott.
It is our right as humans on this earth and in our ancestral land to
vote or not vote as we choose. What kind of freedom of expression can we
expect when the army threatens to destroy you if you don’t do what they
want? In 1969 the Indonesian army threatened my people at gunpoint to
vote to give up our freedom and become a part of Indonesia. The attitude
of the Indonesian military has not changed since then.
With the 1969 Act of Free Choice the right to freely and fairly vote
on the future of our land was criminally stolen from us by the
Indonesian Military. Everyone now knows that this was illegal and
fraudulent. When we have our right of self determination then we will
vote. West Papuan people will vote in a free and fair act of self
determination on our future. We will vote in an internationally
monitored referendum to international standards, under international
law. Then you will see every single West Papuan on this earth vote. They
will queue for days. And when they vote they will shed tears of joy.
I urge all international advocates and journalists to be aware of the
threats of the Indonesian military and police against our people.
Please keep watching the situation in West Papua during the coming days
and report what happens. Please help us stay safe on 9th July.
Benny Wenda is available for interviews. You can contact our
office on 01865 403202, or directly to Benny via +44 7833114087 or email
office@bennywenda.org.
Benny Wenda previously released this statement calling for the boycott.
SOURCE: WWW.freewestpapua.org
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