benny wenda

Lani Singers of West Papua to perform on BBC Radio

Submitted by Alezev on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 21:39
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Thu, 11/22/2007 - 23:44 — The Lani Singers will be he guests of DJ Ritu on her World Music Show on BBC Radio London 94.9fm, on Saturday 2nd February 2008.

Tune in for the 2 hour long session from 8-10pm, and hear Benny and Maria Wenda talk about the plight of the West Papuan people, their struggle for freedom, and the importance of music in acting as a unifying bond amongst them and their fellowcountrymen. They will also be playing music live on air.

West Papua - The secret war in Asia

Submitted by FdN on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 21:27
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Sun, 09/30/2007 - Dear friends of West Papua, We, from fPcN Germany, the German Free West Papua Campaign, got the opportunity to present a video at the Biennale in Venice at September 6th 2007, 11.35 am under the theme: “The cultural Dimension of Sustainability – Towards an Ecology of Culture”. Afterwards, there is room for discussion with the filmmaker Steffen Keulig, the “jungle child” Sabine Kuegler, a famous writer from Germany as well as with Benny Wenda, the chairman of the Koteka Tribal Assembly and chair of the Free West Papua Campaign UK.

West Papua video at the Venice Biennale

Submitted by FdN on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 21:22
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Wed, 08/29/2007 - Location: Thesis New Arsenal (Castello 2737/f041 – Venezia – Open: from 11am to 6pm)

Dear friends of West Papua,

Intervention by Benny Wenda - Koteka Tribal Assembly, West Papua

Submitted by rains on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 19:18
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Dear Chair, Ancestral owners of the land we stand on, elders, leaders, Government representatives and ladies and gentlemen.

Today I must present the statement of Benny Wenda the leader of the Koteka Tribal Assembly, in West Papua. Benny has asked me to say to you how sorry he is that he cannot be here today but his visa application is still being processed. Benny has also asked me to formally acknowledge with heartfelt thanks the support offered to him by the United Nations Voluntary Fund.

We very much hope that Benny will be able to be at future meetings.

WORLD’S BIGGEST GOLDMINE SHUT DOWN AS SOLDIERS GO ON THE RAMPAGE

Submitted by rains on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 19:01
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‘My people urgently need the world’s help’ says Papuan tribal leader.

The Freeport Mine in West Papua – the biggest gold and copper mine in the world – is today in a state of chaos, as Indonesia soldiers reportedly use tear gas and live rounds to attack protesting tribal people. Reports from inside West Papua suggest that at least one person may have been killed.

Last month, West Papua made the news when a ‘lost valley’ containing numerous new species was discovered. This week, its people are suffering brutally – it needs to make the news again.

Free West Papua Demo at The Hague

Submitted by FdN on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 18:23
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30 September 2005, Around 12 pm the first people were already present getting prepared for the Free West Papua demo which was organised by “stichting Pro West Papua”. Mr. Benny Wenda of the “Chair of DeMMak (The Koteka Tribal Assembly)” International Lobbyist in the UK for a Free West Papua and Mr. Richard Samuelson of the Free West Papua Campaign (www.freewestpapua.org) were also present at Malieveld, The Hague.
Between 1.30 and 2 pm the protest rally started and right from the beginning the Melanesian Soul was present which made sure it would be a passionate but peaceful protest.

TNI attack and torture Papuan civilians in Pyramid, near Wamena

Submitted by FdN on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 18:17
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Yesterday we received alarming reports that Indonesian military personnel are currently abusing the fundamental human rights of Papuan civilians in Pyramid, near Wamena, West Papua:
Tuesday 8 July 2005: 12 members of the TNI from two districts (Assologoima and Bogolame) began intimidating and torturing innocent Papuan civilians in the little village of Moragame (Pyramid) in Assologoima District, near the town of Wamena .

OXFORD MAIL

Submitted by FdN on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 11:10
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OXFORD MP Andrew Smith has met a West Papuan tribal leader who fled torture to highlight the oppression of Papuans by Indonesia. Benny Wenda, 29, was held and tortured in 2002 by Indonesian forces - which are occupying the territory - until he escaped with his wife Maria and two young daughters and fled to England. Since resigning from his Cabinet post as Secretary of State for Work & Pensions earlier this year, Mr Smith has agreed to put his political weight behind the Oxford Papuan Rights Campaign.

West Papua and Sanma province in Vanuatu forge closer ties

Submitted by FdN on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 09:04
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After a protest through town by young people in Luganville last year the chiefs of West Papua have finally met with chiefs from the Supeinatwitano Council of Chiefs (SCC) and the Luganville Council of Chiefs (LCC). Their meeting was held at the chief's nakamal yesterday. President of Luganville Council of Chiefs, Chief Wycliff Taga told the West Papua delegation they will continue to support the West Papua cause until they are liberated.