The celebration was held by the Papua Custom Council in Wamena as an expression of gratitude to the countries in the Pacific that support the release of West Papua – Doc. DAP
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Customary Council (DAP) resulted through an Extraordinary Congress (KLB) in Baliem Valley, Wamena last August extend gratitude to four Pacific countries who had raised Papua’s issue in the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September.
This speech was conveyed by the selected chairman of DAP in KLB, Dominikus Surabut.
“On behalf of Indigenous Peoples of Papua, I thank the Government and People of Vanuatu, the Government and People of Solomon Islands, the Government and People of Tuvalu, and the Government and People of Saint Vincent and the Grenadies, as well as Vivat International, Franciscan International, ICP and Netzwerk of Papua, MSG, PIF, ACP and international community. More thanks to the Papuans who are relentlessly contributing means and prayers for freedom,” said Dominikus Surabut to Jubi in Wamena, Thursday (October 19).
According to him, Papua Customary Council also held a gratitude ceremony at the DAP/United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) office on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. The event was attended by Papuan indigenous peoples in La Pago region and representative components of three founders of ULMWP, the Federal Republic of West Papua (NFRPB), West Papua National Parliament (PNWP) and West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL).
“There were about 1,500 people attend the ceremony. The ‘thanksgiving’ celebration begins with gratitude pray led by Rev. Izak Asso, S.Th, followed by speeches and greetings of Chairman of Papua Custom Council. And the response by three components of ULMWP, which are Engelbert Surabut represents NFRPB, WPNCL by Sole Heselo and PNWP/KNPB by Yonatan Mulait,” he said.
Furthermore he explained that the people of West Papua have to and need to persistently convince various parties that Papua’s issue is not separatism but the obligation that has not yet been fulfilled since the Cold War.
“The West Papua people are determined to be friends of all nations for the sake of eternal peace by always fighting against occupation in any form and manner, including the Indonesian government,” he explained.
He also emphasized that the response of the Indonesian government to the speeches of four Pacific countries related to West Papua as an acute lie. Such a lie is a hallmark of Indonesia that actually shames Indonesia in the international world.
“What is being said by four countries and four international organizations at the UN forum is the latest fact in West Papua. They also have direct contact in West Papua from time to time to follow and look at what has heppening,” he said.
While Sole Heselo, representing PNWP, said the West Papua people’s struggle have long way to go. It should go beyond UN General Assembly and the Debate of the UN Human Rights Council which takes place every year.
“We continue to fight until we gain independence recognition. The key to getting independence is in the hands of the West Papua people. It is important that we build unity within the country,” he said. (*)
