http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/01/content_12571095.htm
Indonesia detains Papuans over Independence-Day claim
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-01 18:13:17 Print
JAKARTA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police have arrested 13
Papuans after they conducted a rally along with dozens others, celebrating the
anniversary of what they claimed as the 48th Papuan Independence Day, a local
police spokesman said on Tuesday.
The police spokesman Agus Rianto said that the rally was held without
a permit from police.
"They have violated the country's law by holding a rally with out a
permit, now we are questioning 13 of them," he told Xinhua from Papua over
phone.
The spokesman said that earlier the police had tried to order the
mass, but they rejected.
"This small group of people claimed that they are celebrating the
anniversary of Papuan independence, which is actually the claim was not true,"
he said.
Papua's rebel celebrates Dec. 1 as their independence day.
The Free Papua Movement has long engaged in rebellious activities in
Indonesia. They have used both guerrilla and diplomatic ways to achieve their
goal.
On guerrilla way, the group seems targeting a subsidiary of U.S.
giant mining firm of Freeport in Papua which may attract international
attention.
The firm has been suffered by a series of series of shootings since
July that have killed three people, including a 29 year-old Australian worker,
a policeman and a firm guard, at the firm complex, and wounded more than 20
others.
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Indonesia arrests Papuans on 'independence day'
(AFP) - 3 hours ago
JAYAPURA, Indonesia - Indonesian police arrested 13 Papuans on Tuesday as
activists demanded sovereignty at rallies to mark the 48th anniversary of
Papuan "independence", a police spokesman said.
Riot police made the arrests as they dispersed up to 40 activists who had
gathered in the main Papuan town of Jayapura carrying posters with banned
separatist symbols, he said.
"We are questioning 13 people as they have broken the country's laws by holding
a protest without a permit," provincial police spokesman Agus Riyanto told AFP.
In the Indonesian capital Jakarta, dozens of Papuans demanded independence at a
peaceful rally outside the presidential palace as police stood guard.
They carried a red banner reading "Give back the sovereignty of the West Papua
nation" and posters bearing the outlawed "Morning Star" Papuan national flag.
Scores of Papuans have been jailed and abused in Indonesian prisons for
displaying the Papuan flag and other separatist symbols, a crime punishable by
life in jail under Indonesian law, according to rights groups.
Pro-independence Papuans celebrate December 1 as a national day commemorating
former colonial power The Netherlands' 1961 recognition of Papua's right to
self-rule.
Indonesia has never recognised Papuan sovereignty and incorporated the vast,
resource-rich territory in 1969 after a disputed UN-backed referendum held
among a few hundred tribal leaders.
"We are not Indonesian people, we are a different race. We want independence.
We will fight till the end to get our independence," one of protesters at the
presidential palace shouted through a loud speaker.
"Under Indonesian rule we're becoming poorer and poorer and many of us have
suffered torture and violence. The Indonesian government only exploits our rich
natural resources but ignores our prosperity."
In Sentani town near Jayapura, more than 100 people took part in joint prayers
at the home of slain pro-independence leader Theis Hiyo Eluay, who was
kidnapped and murdered in 2001.
US-based Human Rights Watch said in June that torture and abuse of Papuan
prisoners in Indonesia was "rampant" and should be investigated.
Three Papuan protesters -- Roni Ruben Iba, Isak Iba and Piter Iba -- were
sentenced to between two and three years in jail for subversion earlier this
month for raising a banner similar to the "Morning Star" flag.
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