31 Oct 2011

Papuans demonstrate in support of Congress outcome

8:10 pm on 31 October 2011

Renewed demonstrations are being held in Jayapura today demanding Indonesia take formal and legal responsibility for ongoing human rights abuses in Papua region.

These are the first large gatherings since the Third Papuan People's Congress two weeks ago in the capital of Papua province.

Thast major gathering of Papuans to discuss self-determination ended in chaos when Indonesian security forces opened fire on the estimated five thousand delegates, resulting in at least seven deaths and many injuries.

Hundreds of delegates at the congress remain missing.

West Papua Media Alerts reports that a demonstration by hundreds of people began this morning at Waena, near Jayapura, closely shadowed by hundreds of police, including anti-riots and paramilitary units.

Rolling civil resistance activities have also been planned in other parts of Jayapura and other Papuan centres in coming days, partly to support the outcome of the congress, where a newly independent state of West Papua was declared.