Indigenous Custodians Present at Customs
Freedom Flotilla participants will today visit the Australian Customs Office on Thursday Island to inform them of the
groups next undertakings and ask customs to pass on their request for safe passage to West Papua to the Australian
government. Izzy Brown stated, “We hope we can work together with the government towards a peaceful resolution to the
situation in West Papua. We need to start the conversation.”
Arabunna elder Kevin Buzzacott said this morning, “We are exerting our ancient authority for this journey. The
Australian government and Indonesian government are refusing to accept our original nation passport why should we accept
theirs? We are from an ancient time before these border were created, when we where one people.”
He continued, “I don’t know how Australians can stand by as genocide is being committed in West Papua. The President
needs be charged with for war crimes for what has happened to the Papuan people and Australia is complicit in these
crimes. By not accepting our sovereignty and right to make this cultural exchange and help our neighbours, the
Australian government is directly interfering with the peace process.”
“It is time Indonesia and the rest of the world recognize indigenous sovereignty by allowing the Freedom Flotilla safe
passage so we can take these important steps to work together towards a peaceful solution.”
The Freedom Flotilla to West Papua collectively stated today, “We demand that Indonesia drop all charges against the
peaceful protestors in Sorong, that they release all political prisoners and they remove all there troops from West
Papua.”
Izzy Brown concluded, “Our Trudy needs a few repairs but nothing we can’t fix, it does cost a bit to keep this journey
moving though so donations much appreciated. And any last boats that wish to join us on our journey are welcome! The
Freedom Flotilla will be full steam ahead to West Papua in the coming days.”
ENDS