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INDONESIA has effectively imposed martial law on West Papua, with increased attacks in recent weeks including the shooting dead of two religious workers, according to independence leader Benny Wenda.
“Armed police are stalking every corner of West Papua, and troops are forcing thousands of people from their homes across huge swathes of our land,” Mr Wenda said.
He warned of increased oppression targeting individuals and organisations linked to the West Papuan freedom movement.
Video footage emerged on Tuesday of Indonesian forces violently breaking up a student protest in Jayapura, firing tear gas and live bullets as they gathered for a sit in. Security forces were seen wading in and battering students with bamboo sticks.
“This is martial law in all but name,” Mr Wenda said. “You cannot walk through an urban centre in West Papua today without being stopped by police, without meeting a military checkpoint.
“Every demonstration, no matter how peaceful, is met with mass arrests and police brutality.”
Mr Wenda called for support for the people of West Papua from the United Nations and the international community, saying that Indonesia’s brutal response showed that it was fearful of “black resistance” and the demand for self-determination.
“My people are screaming for the world’s help. There is a double pandemic in West Papua: a pandemic of Covid-19 and a pandemic of racism,” he said.
“One way lies the coronavirus, the other way lies the Indonesian military. This medical disaster is made worse by the hunger and destitution of displacement.
“How long must my people cry for freedom before the world listens?”