5 Jun 2015

West Papuans rally behind MSG bid

3:03 pm on 5 June 2015

A number of rallies have been held in recent days in Indonesia's Papua region in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's application to become a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Step Magazine reports that thousands of people rallied in the Papua town of Timika in support of the ULMWP bid which MSG leaders are expected to consider at their upcoming summit in Honiara.

A number of arrests have been made of activists involved in such rallies around the region.

Selnagkah magazine reports that during the month of May, 474 Papuan activists were arrested by Indonesian security forces.