Indonesian security forces are reported to have attacked a rally marking Papua’s 50th anniversary of its declaration of independence.
Activists across Papua rallied in traditional dresses and protested against the continued occupation of the restive province by Indonesia.
Police officials denied that any protestors were injured but reports indicate several Papuans were shot and many more were arrested.
Footage, broadcast on local television stations, shows police violently arresting activists and confiscating the Papuan national flag, which is banned in Indonesia.
The recently elected leader of the Papuan nation called for the recognition of an independent Papua.
Forkorus Yaboisembut, currently imprisoned, told the Sydney Morning Herald in a phone call from his cell:
"I call on all nations that love democracy and human rights and respect international law to recognise the Papuan nation,
"All speeches made by world leaders about democracy and human rights are empty speeches because they allow the discrimination to take place against Papuans in Papua,
"The Papuan people have been marginalised, discriminated against."We have become minority in our own land. We are going to extinction,
"We have strong support from the grassroots, some support from parliamentarians from many countries. What we lack is support from [foreign] governments.
"But we are optimistic."
Mr Yaboisembut was arrested for treason in October, after being elected president of the Federal Republic of West Papua.
He is facing up to 20 years in prison.
See previous articles:
Security forces attack, as Papua declares independence (19 Oct 2011)
Genocide charges against mining giant (26 Oct 2011)
Report accuses Indonesian police of brutality against Papuans (05 Nov 2011)
