'Morning Star' raised to highlight human rights abuses
Thursday 1 December 2011, 1:57PM
By Green Party
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The Green Party is today supporting the raising of the ‘Morning Star’ to highlight human rights abuses in West Papua by Indonesia, Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty said.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of West Papua against the appalling human rights abuses of the Indonesian Government,” Ms Delahunty said.
“The Green Party supports New Zealand taking a role in facilitating peace dialogue.
“The Indonesian crackdown in October ended with the deaths of at least three pro-democracy protesters, 90 injuries and 300 arrests.
“There have also been leaked videos of torture, shootings of protestors, and assassinations of key West Papuan leaders.
“Our Government needs to strongly condemn human rights abuses and take practical steps to show Indonesia that this behaviour is not acceptable. New Zealand can have a role in assisting West Papua by supporting peace dialogue,” Ms Delahunty said.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the West Papuan declaration of independence from Dutch rule. In 1961 the people first raised their 'Morning Star' national flag which has become a symbol of resistance. Citizens who raise this flag in West Papua risk 15 years imprisonment.
The Morning Star will be raised at Parliament, Wellington today at 1PM and in Aotea Square, Auckland at 12PM as well as in numerous international settings.