West Papua Independence Day: Government hands back Papuan refugees to Indonesia.
West Papua Independence day, Dec 1, this year marks a sad and angry time following reports that refugees Yunus Wainggai
and 7 year old daughter Anike arrived in Jakarta following their disappearance from their Collingwood home on Sat 15th
November.
Mr Wainggai and his daughter are two of 43 West Papuan refugees who escaped West Papua under Indonesian military control
by canoe and landed on the shores of Cape York in 2006 seeking asylum. They were granted temporary refugee status, and
filed their application for permanent residency in Australia just two days before their disappearance.
West Papuan community member Richard Rumbiak, who will be speaking on this day, states; “We believe they have been
coerced by Indonesian sources who operate here and manipulate West Papuans here. Myself as Indigenous West Papuan am
very concerned about that, even overseas, in Australia. “
No one from the community has heard from Mr Wainggai (whose phone has been disconnected), as well as his lawyer, despite
claims Mr Wainggai asked to speak with him.
Where: Indonesia Consulate. 72 Queens Rd, Melbourne. 11:00 am.
“Dec 1 marks a celebration of the anniversary of the morning star, the independence movement of West Papua and to
reinstate our commitment for Papua independence. The four of the 43 who have returned for their personal reason have
probably been coerced by the Indonesian government and their Papuan agents, and will not change the situation in West
Papua, which has always driven our independence movement.“ Richard Rumbiak.
ends