Papuans rally in call for a referendum

They carried banners bearing the following: Review the 1969 Act of Free choice, Release all Political Prisoners Unconditionally, Special Autonomy is treachery and Referendum Now!

Leaflets distributed to the public said that the forthcoming elections were not a solution for Papua. The leaflets were emblazoned with the slogan: Freedom Yes, General Election No.

A representative from Bird's Head described Indonesia as the worst human rights violator of all. He said Special Autonomy (OTSUS) had brought no improvements. A woman speaker spoke on behalf of the resistance army, TPN. She said they were fully committed to Papua's struggle for
independence which, she was confident, would soon arrive.

One young speaker who said that he was from Timor Leste, said that Timor supports Papua's struggle.

Speakers also criticised the candidates in the 2009 elections because they would not change anything. They said that OTSUS had failed to protect the rights of the indigenous people of Papua in health and education, and were only sending more and more troops to Papua. They
criticised members of the DPRP for failing to improve the situation and said that they had caused many horizontal conflicts. There were also calls for the elections to be boycotted.

Speeches at the rally continued for three hours. As part of an action to condemn the political parties, six GOLKAR flags were pulled down and trampled underfoot, then left by the roadside.

Several of the speakers drew attention to Indonesia's presidents, saying that from the days of Suharto, through to Habibie and Megawati, conditions for Papua were very bad. It was only the presidency of Gus Dur that had come like a breath of fresh air and he alone had refrained
from condemning the use of the Papuan flag.

After rallying at the office of the provincial goverment, a small delegation was able to meet John Ibo who heads the local government for ten minutes. After the meeting, the large crowd dispersed peacefully.

The chief of police of Jayapura, Roberth Djoenso, said that in preparation for the rally, two special units had been located to the area. The police had also conducted raids in Taman Imbi, Jayapura, Entrop South Jayapura on the evening before.