Praying for Papua

West Papua is half of one the largest islands in the world – Papua New Guinea. Over 40 years ago West Papua was denied freedom following a controversial referendum. Following annexation to Indonesia, West Papuans have contested this referendum. They have suffered at the hands of the Indonesian authorities as a result. Today West Papuans find themselves an increasing minority in their land and the victims of oppression.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation, an ecumenical Christian peace charity joined the Free West Papua Campaign in a vigil outside the Indonesian Embassy on Fri 1st December. We commemorated Papuan Independence Day!

We prayed for those living in West Papua. For communities torn apart by conflict, for those imprisoned for flying the flag of independence and those denied their basic human rights. FoR has joined the increasing number of voices in the UK calling for Peace and Justice for West Papua

Maud Grainger from the Fellowship of Reconciliation said:
“We must speak for those whose voices are not heard. For years Papuans have been refused choice and now we work together for this basic right. Jesus calls us to fight against injustice, today we pray for West Papuans”

In 2000 West Papuan leaders and Churches committed the movement to Peaceful means and declared ‘Papua, a Land of Peace’. An international solidarity movement has emerged to support the commitment to Peace. The Fellowship of Reconciliation supports those committed to making and building peace. However they need the support of Christians around the world to pray and speak out against their injustice.

Benny Wenda, a West Papuan Tribal Leader from Free West Papua Campaign said:
"Ist December is a day written in every West Papuan's heart. It's the day in 1961 when the Dutch gave us our flag, national anthem and parliament and promised us independence in 1970.
The next year, the Indonesians invaded and 44 years of occupation and killing began for my people. We call 1st December our 'Independence Day' because we have never given up hope of freedom."

Editors Notes:

1. The Fellowship of Reconciliation is an international, spiritually based movement of people who, from the basis of a belief in the power of love and truth to create justice and restore community, commit themselves to active non-violence as a way of life and as a means of transformation; personal, social, economic and political.
For more information, www.for.org.uk

West Papua was annexed to Indonesia following the controversial referendum ‘The Act of Free Choice’ in 1967. This referendum was seriously flawed and for over forty years the Free West Papua movement has struggled for independence.
The struggle for Independence is growing and has achieved some successes since the fall of General Suharto in Indonesia. However we need to work together and build on the movement to translate it to political pressure.

For more information on the history of West Papua and the Free West Papua campaign in the UK please visit;
Free West Papua Campaign.

Yusak Pakage and Filep Karma; identified by Amnesty International as prisoners of conscience were arrested in December 2004 for peacefully raising the West Papuan Independence Flag, the Morning Star and are serving 10 and 15 years respectively.
Amnesty International are calling for their immediate release as well as expressing concern over the prison conditions.
For more information, Amnesty International.