Thousands protest against Integrasi throughout West Papua

The commemoration of integration of Papua (formerly known as Dutch New Guinea, then Irian Jaya) with Indonesia today, 1 may 2002, was marked by peaceful protests by pro Independence Papuans staged across major towns of Papua. The highly fraudulent Act of Free Choice facilitated by the UN in 1969 which finally won the Indonesian struggle to claim Papua was the main reason 
of the protests. The Indonesian security forces (Brimob and the Army) are on high alert around the commemoration sites.

Fuelled by President Megawati’s intent to use the occasion to formally announce the results of KPN work on the assassination of Theys Hiyo Eluay, anti integration feelings are running high and clearly displayed by the pro Papua independence supporters through out the day. Elsham Papua volunteers in the following regencies submitted their reports on things taking place during the event. 

Jayapura : an estimated 1200 people turned up at the burial site of the late Theys Hiyo Eluay, former chairman of Papua Council Presidium (PDP), to express their protest against of Papua integration with Indonesia. Thaha Al Hamid, the Secretary General of PDP reiterated his call for President Megawati to reveal the motives and the main actors behind Mr. Eluay’s assassination.

Hundreds to thousands of other Papua independence supporters crowded the prayers conducted at churches, open field, and houses owned by independence leaders in Serui, Biak, Sorong, Fak Fak, Manokwari, and Nabire. No pro independence supporters were able to carry out their protest in Wamena due to threats from Barisan Merah Putih (the pro integration Red and White 
Militias) and Laskar Jihad (Jihad Militias).

The following are major issues stated by the Papua independence supporters commemorating the Papua-Indonesia integration.

1) Reveal the motives and main actors behind the assassination of Theys Hiyo Eluay, chairman of PDP, by involving competent international parties
2) Reject the findings of KPN (National Inquiry Commission) on Theys Eluay’s death
3) Reject the integration of Papua with Indonesia
4) UN should review the 1969 Papua Act of Free Choice 
5) Papua should be given a chance for self-determination
6) Papua should be established as a peace zone.