New rallies and arrests in West Papua

Reports from West Papua today indicate that 10,000 people are staging a rally in Nabire, while another rally planned for Wamena is occurring in the grounds of the Efata Church after a joint Police and Military security operation to block that rally.

Other reports from the capital Jayapura say that Police have arrested 11 West Papuans in Abepura and a further two men are detained at Police Headquarters in Jayapura, apparently in relation to the organisation of these rallies.

Reports from West Papua over the last few days had indicated that a rally would be held today in Wamena to coincide with the establishment of 'International Lawyers for West Papua' reportedly occurring in the US.

The large rally of 10,000 people in Nabire is said to have been ongoing since 8.00am local time. Banners reported on display say: "West Papua people support the launch of International Lawyers for West Papua"; 'Review the Act of Free Choice'; 'Demand that Human Rights cases in West Papua be fixed' and also 'West Papua people demand Independence'.

West Papua women speakers were addressing the rally at the time of the report. A report, provided this morning from Wamena, indicated that there was a very large contingent of police and military presence on the streets of Wamena. These report said that there were checkpoints on the roads and that security forces were present on the road intersections.

These extra security forces were said to be stopping any people beginning the planned rally.

Local media reports have claimed that local authorities are behind the banning of the rally.