Demonstrations a sign of Papuans' regional hopes

Transcript

This week's demonstrations (13 April) in West Papua are being seen as a sign of widespread support for integration with the wider Melanesian community.

The peaceful demonstrations in the main cities of Indonesia's Papua region were attended by thousands of West Papuans voicing support for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua and its bid to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Over 40 demonstrators were arrested, however a West Papuan lawyer and Catholic lay women activist, Frederika Korain, told Johnny Blades, the Movement is galvanising togetherness.

FREDERIKA KORAIN: Yeah,  in the street, a thousand people, it's so great because for many, I think almost nine months, the group of Papuan youths and Papuan people as a whole, they have been silenced and just yesterday they came to the streets and hoist their flags, the flag of their political desire.  

JOHNNY BLADES: Is there much support for the United Liberatation movement for West Papua?

FK:  Yeah, of course, it's our common position right now ULMWP is where we call our home to try struggle for the best ideas of the Papuans.

JB:  And, so people know about the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and the membership matter?

FK: Of course, especially the Papuans in the towns to have a better connection to the source of information like internet or the newspaper, they know that and most Papuans feel that it's very  genuinely, important to be part of the big Melanesian family, through that organisation, so that's why the struggle to be part or to gain the full membership of that organisation, and you can see why people went to the street to take part in the rally.

JB:  It's important for West Papuans it seems to able to engage with other Melanesian peoples and other countries in the Pacific Islands region.  Is that really something you are aiming for?

FK:  Yeah, that's true because it's a place we can find our roots, we can find our family and culturally we are part of that race.  Yeah, we are keen on testing a close contact with people from this region.  I heard that experience when I was in Australia during my studies and I was so welcomed by the islanders, and joining them in every occasion and I seemed so happy and I can imagine that most Papuans would get that sense as well if they have a chance to mingle, they have a chance to mingle, have a chance to  connect themselves with people from the region.