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West Papuan leaders face 'possible torture' by Indonesia, say activists West Papuan leaders face 'possible torture' by Indonesia, say activists
(5 days later)
West Papuan political leaders who met a boatload of Australian and West Papuan activists across the Indonesian sea border could face interrogation or torture at the hands of Indonesian authorities, a spokesperson claims.West Papuan political leaders who met a boatload of Australian and West Papuan activists across the Indonesian sea border could face interrogation or torture at the hands of Indonesian authorities, a spokesperson claims.
The activists – calling themselves and their boats the West Papuan Freedom Flotilla – had planned to sail from Australia into the Indonesian port of Merauke to raise awareness about human rights abuses in West Papua, but changed their plans after the Indonesian navy said it would not rule out using lethal force against them in response.The activists – calling themselves and their boats the West Papuan Freedom Flotilla – had planned to sail from Australia into the Indonesian port of Merauke to raise awareness about human rights abuses in West Papua, but changed their plans after the Indonesian navy said it would not rule out using lethal force against them in response.
Instead, a group of West Papuans met the flotilla of activists at sea earlier this week, apparently off the coast of Papua New Guinea, not far from the Indonesian border.Instead, a group of West Papuans met the flotilla of activists at sea earlier this week, apparently off the coast of Papua New Guinea, not far from the Indonesian border.
Freedom flotilla spokesperson and participant Ronny Kareni, himself a West Papuan refugee, said he was concerned about the group of West Papuans, which included at least two West Papuan political leaders.Freedom flotilla spokesperson and participant Ronny Kareni, himself a West Papuan refugee, said he was concerned about the group of West Papuans, which included at least two West Papuan political leaders.
"If they got intercepted [on their return] then most likely they'll be taken for interrogation and possible torture," he said."If they got intercepted [on their return] then most likely they'll be taken for interrogation and possible torture," he said.
Kareni said he had received information from Merauke "that there are still helicopters in use, and some navy boats" patrolling the Indonesian coast.Kareni said he had received information from Merauke "that there are still helicopters in use, and some navy boats" patrolling the Indonesian coast.
"They have been stopping all the locals who have been travelling in and out on the traditional path, checking everyone every day," he said."They have been stopping all the locals who have been travelling in and out on the traditional path, checking everyone every day," he said.
The meeting of boats was the culmination of a 5,000km journey from Lake Eyre in South Australia to "reconnect the indigenous peoples of Australia and West Papua".The meeting of boats was the culmination of a 5,000km journey from Lake Eyre in South Australia to "reconnect the indigenous peoples of Australia and West Papua".
According to organisers, Indigenous elder Kevin Buzzacott handed over "the sacred water from the mound springs of Lake Eyre, along with ashes from the Aboriginal tent embassies around the country, to senior West Papuan leaders".According to organisers, Indigenous elder Kevin Buzzacott handed over "the sacred water from the mound springs of Lake Eyre, along with ashes from the Aboriginal tent embassies around the country, to senior West Papuan leaders".
But the protest is not over yet. A number of flotilla participants are still at sea, according to Kareni, who has since returned to his home in Melbourne. He says he is trying to contact Indonesian authorities to request permission for the group to land at Merauke.But the protest is not over yet. A number of flotilla participants are still at sea, according to Kareni, who has since returned to his home in Melbourne. He says he is trying to contact Indonesian authorities to request permission for the group to land at Merauke.
Flotilla participant Izzy Brown told Guardian Australia on Thursday night, via satellite phone from the flotilla's flagship the Pog, that she was 24 nautical miles from Indonesian territory.Flotilla participant Izzy Brown told Guardian Australia on Thursday night, via satellite phone from the flotilla's flagship the Pog, that she was 24 nautical miles from Indonesian territory.
Merauke locals are still planning to welcome the flotilla to land with a ceremony. Organiser John Wog told Guardian Australia this week: "We have formed a traditional welcoming committee for the arrival of the freedom flotilla and have written to the local government [and military commanders] … informing them that at the time the boats arrive we from the traditional community will meet them with traditional dances and wreaths of flowers.Merauke locals are still planning to welcome the flotilla to land with a ceremony. Organiser John Wog told Guardian Australia this week: "We have formed a traditional welcoming committee for the arrival of the freedom flotilla and have written to the local government [and military commanders] … informing them that at the time the boats arrive we from the traditional community will meet them with traditional dances and wreaths of flowers.
"This isn't a political matter but rather a visit from the traditional Aboriginal community … of Australia. They want to ask the Indonesian government to straighten up the real history between the [people] of Australia and Papua."This isn't a political matter but rather a visit from the traditional Aboriginal community … of Australia. They want to ask the Indonesian government to straighten up the real history between the [people] of Australia and Papua.
"The plan has been that we would carry out the welcome at the Merauke harbour, but the Indonesian military has already closed the harbour off. There's really a lot of military units there on guard," he said."The plan has been that we would carry out the welcome at the Merauke harbour, but the Indonesian military has already closed the harbour off. There's really a lot of military units there on guard," he said.
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