European Union branch of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) was launched in Brussels
Dear friends
Warm greetings from the UK.
I am sending this as a brief update on the latest progress the United Liberation Movement for West Papua is making in the European Parliament.
On May 12th, the EU branch of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) was launched in Brussels. In a landmark meeting hosted by IPWP Chair Alex Sobel and Vice-Chair Carles Puidgemont, participants called for a UN visit to West Papua, and agreed that EU trade negotiations with Indonesia should stop until such a visit takes place.
All speakers at the event spoke of the urgent need for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua, echoing the calls made by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Mr Sobel and others also urged the EU to halt all its trade deals with Indonesia until they honour their commitment to welcome a UN investigation.
Thanks to a question asked by Mr Puidgemont in the European Parliament, we know that since 2001 the EU has sent 4.7 million Euros to Indonesia to advance ‘democracy, civil society’ and the ‘peace process’ in West Papua. But my people have been denied democracy for sixty years, and the only path to peace is through an independence referendum. Until this happens, the EU should stop all its dealings with Indonesia, including any funding for the colonial ‘Special Autonomy’ law.
The meeting was celebrated widely in West Papua, with thousands gathering and marching in support.
For over half a century my people have fought against both Indonesian imperialism and the silence of the outside world. But international solidarity with our struggle is growing, and events like this take us closer than ever to breaking European support for Indonesia’s occupation.
I look forward to continuing to work with you in this fight.
Warm regards
Benny Wenda
Interim President
ULMWP Provisional Government