West Papua: time for action!

The West Papua Support Group is a loose network of individuals and groups
that helps tribespeople such as Sem Karoba promote their people's vision of independence and raise awareness of Papuan culture and its vital links to the natural environment. WPSG also highlights the destruction that 'development'
has wrought on the world's second largest island.

A destructive form of globalisation has led to the massacre of tribespeople, environmental pillage and the suppression of indigenous ways of life. The Government of Indonesia, multi-national Corporations, missionaries and aid agencies have each created and capitalised on the current situation by
imposing their 'way' on Papua.

In response, WPSG aims to put pressure on these 'authorities' and their
'ways', to ensure they halt their destructive practices. We work with all 
individuals and groups who share our aims. Working for awareness is
important but it's not enough, people have to take responsibility and action. 

Our lifestyles, isolation, apathy and acceptance of the status quo have to
change. Acting for justice in West Papua is acting for a global peace.

                              YOU CAN HELP WITH:
                   
- Donations, fundraising, sponsorship    -  Organise talks, film shows, gigs
- Book, leaflet and web publishing          - Write to papers, magazines
- Cultural and music projects                  -  Demand action from our government   
- Rainforest & conservation issues         -  Visit your local TD or MEP
- Publishing interviews & articles            -  Start a local  campaign group
- Radio and documentary work               -  Visit West Papua for yourself
- Protests & direct actions                       - Help lobby the UN 
 
             AIB Bank Account: 93-73-47  56935005

      

   West Papua Support Group
        Grassroots action for real justice & solutions
              Tel.: 086 2505200     koteka@westpapua.net     www.westpapua.net / irl     

                    One big tribe 
  Tribal 
Freedom
 Forum and Culture Fest
            March 21 - 22, Spring Equinox 
           NUI Maynooth  + Liberty Hall, Dublin

        

        

   HISTORY REPEATING…..

 - An estimated 300,000 (25%) dead!
 - Mass ‘planting’ of Indonesian ‘settlers’!
 - Language & music banned!
 - Native spirituality denied!
 - Ongoing plunder of rare rainforests!
 - Introduction of Jihad war + HIV!
 - Creation of false borders!

West Papua was first conquered by the Dutch who, along with the USA and UN, supported the Indonesian invasion via the so called Act of Free Choice in 1969. Papuans have been killed in their thousands and many more tortured and jailed. Why? Because Indonesia, backed by European and American mining giants (including BP, Freeport and Rio Tinto) seek to exploit the country’s rich supplies of gas, copper and gold.
Papua’s spectacular natural beauty, which includes rainforests to rival the Amazon, is also under threat from global logging companies. 

The future looks grim as the U.S resumes aid to the brutal Indonesian
military and the massacres of East Timor could very well be repeated. 
Urgent action is needed to prevent a magnificent people, eco-system and culture being unnecessarily destroyed.                  

Sem Karoba is a native highlander from West Papua. Supported by his people, he travels the world informing us of the faulty link between our society and culture and places like West Papua.
Some see his message as ‘radical’ and don’t like it, including the Indonesian government who have put a price on his life. Sem speaks for peace, ecological communion and cultural rights for all people and all beings. He speaks for freedom: freedom from corporations, capitalism, the World Bank and imposed ways and cultures. Sem is an advocate of non-violent radical change and he is also a fine folk musician and storyteller.

"...both my beloved uncles were murdered by the Indonesian army. I know that I am on a death roll. I will die on the hands of the Indonesian government, police and army. I want to tell you
 about my background, my beliefs, my views on West Papua politics and other information 
that I want to tell the world before something bad happens to me”
Sem Karoba of the Koteka Tribal Assembly (www.westpapua.net/koteka)

   www.onebigtribe.org

 Tribal Freedom
 << Festival for Papua & Planet >>
              March 21 - 22, Spring Equinox 
With talks, music & stories by Sem Karoba + other indigenous voices

Friday March 21st

9pm: Maynooth Concert 

- Bring instruments, a 
  stall, food, info, books, 
  & a sense of freedom!

- Accommodation advice/help

Info/Booking: 
Contact Piera

Tel.     085 7285113
piera@rocketmail.com
www.westpapua.net/irl
 
*Donations welcome
*Format and schedule  
 subject to change   
                    VOLUNTEERS 
 NEEDED!    

With Sem Karoba, West Papuan dancers,
Liam O’Maonlai and guests

Saturday March 22nd:

NUI Maynooth Conference 
                                                         
10 – 11 Registration   
11 – 1   Plenary session: Globalising justice
1   -  2   Lunch                      
2   -  4   Workshops
4  -   5   Closing session & ceremony
5  -   7   Open Music Jam
             Documentaries and Films

9 – late OneBIGtribe concert
          Liberty Hall, Dublin 
             featuring The Hothouse Flowers,
               Steve Cooney, Tony McMahon, 
               Woody Sagoo, Ronan O’Snodaigh (Kila),
               Sem Karoba, Papuan dance troop & others

Festival organised by friends of Sem Karoba. All proceeds to the work of Sem and his people.