West Papuan Independence leader Benny Wenda will be launching a series of events next week Monday, in the lead up to ceremonies marking West Papua‘s Independence Day celebrations in Port Moresby.

On December 1, 1961, the colonized peoples of West Papua were granted their freedom and nationhood status by the departing colonial power – the Netherlands. On historical occasion, the Morning Star (West Papuan flag) was raised for the first time, the first West Papuan legislature convened, the national anthem of the West Papuan people was sung for the first time and all the trappings of a West Papuan nation were demonstrated to the “community of nations”, internationally.

However, a year later, in 1962, the Indonesian military invaded and annexed the predominantly Melanesian-peopled West Papuan nation. This illegal act is well-documented and is the subject of growing demands for the revisitation of the role of all parties involved in this scandal.

In collective resistance against the Indonesian colonial rule in West Papua, Papua New Guineans will join their West Papuan brothers and sisters on Sunday December 1, 2013 to raise the Morning Star in various locations around the country. As part of the “Sorong to Samarai” campaign, the day itself will be a reminder of the injustices committed against the West Papuan people and the urgent need for Papua New Guinean and Melanesian solidarity in raising the profile of West Papuan self-determination on the international stage. The PNG media is invited to participate in this endeavor.

The final week of November 2013, leading to the main event of December 1, 2013 will include a series of activities in the Free West Papua campaign. These include:

1. LAUNCHING OF EVENTS CALENDER BY WEST PAPUAN INDEPENDENCE LEADER BENNY WENDA

Date:                Monday, November 25th, 2013
Time:               1pm to 2pm
Venue:             Partners with Melanesian Inc. Conference Room

2. Thursday, November 28th – A regional meeting of Melanesian and Pacific Island members of International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP). An expert in international law, Ms. Jennifer Robinson will run sessions with regional parliamentarians with the aim of familiarizing regional law-makers about the legal justifications for the support of West Papuan rights to self-determination from Indonesian colonial rule

3. Sunday, December 1st – “Freedom Walk” in Port Moresby, and in PNG. In solidarity with other citizens globally, the “Freedom Walk” will take place here in Port Moresby. The procession will begin at 6pm from the Unagi Oval (in Gordons suburb) to the NCDC City Hall. Women and Church groups are also organized to participate in this event, together with the cultural singing groups. At the City Hall, the Morning Star will be raised. This occasion of December 1, 2013 will also include the official launching and opening of Free West Papua Campaign (PNG Chapter) office. 

For more information contact the following: Mr. Benny Wenda (Phone: 7393 7497) or Mr. Fred Mambrasar (Phone: 73338259) or Mr. Tony Fofoe (Phone: 7049 4380).