This film shows; the extremely brutal history the native population of West Papua have endured for many decades under the oppressive Indonesian Military.

How, to this day they continue to struggle for independence from Indonesia, with historical pieces showing the UN Shame vote: Act of 'NO' Choice which lead to their colonisation and the continued thief, of the West Papuan's natural resources.

Filmed undercover in West Papua 2000/1 with historical footage obtained from various sources.

A film was made by fPcN interCultural:

Links for: PAPUA MERDEKA. (2002, 43.06) (720x576 4:3)

This is the 56th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) Back issues are posted online at http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm. Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com.

Summary:
A major earthquake struck near Manokwari January 4 killing at least 5 and injuring many. The city airport was rendered unusable by damage to the runway and electricity was also cut. An Australian medical journal has drawn on reporting by other peer-reviewed medical journal, media and NGO reporting to compile a detailed account of the growing humanitarian crisis confronting Papuans. Another report by an Australian NGO describes an early December assault on members of a Nabire church congregation that was engaged in a peaceful dissent. Indonesian police have arrested another peaceful rights advocate, Sebby Sambom, who at the time of his arrest was calling for the release from police detention of Buchtar Tabuni, now in custody for peaceful dissent activity. Tempo magazine describes the limited weaponry available to the armed resistance in West Papua, and the growth in its place of nonviolent struggle for rights by Papuans. Notwithstanding this development, the Indonesian military maintains a large, unjustifiable presence in West Papua. A report details the various groupings among Papuans struggling for their political rights. The massive Freeport McMoran mine has fallen on hard times with deflated copper prices necessitating cutbacks in personnel. Notwithstanding the cutbacks, Freeport, as noted by an Australian medical journal, continues to have a devastating impact on West Papua's environment and the health of Papuans. In the U.S., several NGOs held meetings with U.S. Congressional offices and the U.S. State Department to raise human rights and humanitarian concerns related to West Papua, noting in passing, that "Special Autonomy" is a failed option in the view of most Papuans. In a final commentary, WPAT notes that the failure of Indonesian courts to convict a retired senior TNI officer for his central role in the 2004 murder of leading human rights advocate Munir has dire implications for all human rights defenders in Indonesia, especially in West Papua.

Contents:
*Major Earthquake Strikes Near Manokwari*
*Australian Medical Journal Describes Dearth of Healthcare Infrastructure in West Papua and Alarming Health Data*
*Police Shoot and Beat Papuans in Church Dispute*
*Military Occupation of West Papua Continues Despite Absence of Security Threat*
*One Star or Fourteen?*
* Freeport McMoran, Facing Dire Financial Straits*
*ETAN Urges Restrictions on Any Assistance to TNI Noting Especially TNI Abuses in West Papua*
*NGO's Meet with Congressional Offices and State Department Regarding West Papua*
*Failure to Convict in Munir Killing Has Dire Implications for All Indonesian Human Rights Advocates"