August 16, 2016
Wests Papuans seek Maori support
A member of a West Papua support group is asking for Maori to join those putting pressure on the Indonesian government for a referendum on the territory's future.
Shasha Ali says this week's flare-up in the territory, when Indonesian troops attacked a rally marking the controversial 1962 election that delivered control of the former Dutch colony to Indonesia, shows how indonesia continues to crack down on any preceived dissent by indigenous West Papuans.
She says New Zealand could take a greater role, and the government here should be pushed to say something.
"What West Papuans need is an internationally observed referendum, and we can do our bit to enable that to happen by putting international pressure through our government as well as through social media and other media awareness campaigns," Ms Ali says.
The story of Timor Leste or East Timor's break from Indonesia gives hope to West Papuans that they can also achieve independence.
Meanwhile, prominent West Papuan independence leader, Benny Wenda, has postponed a visit to Aotearoa New Zealand later this month for what he describes as unforeseen circumstances.
He was to have met with Maori and Pasifika activists as well as New Zealand members of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua.
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