Lest we forget

After mentioning East Timor, and the shameful politics the Australian government is dishing out to this beautiful nation at its door steps, with hardly any criticism from within Australia (disgraceful squared), I thought it might be a good idea to also talk about West Papua.
The people of this country were sold out by the Dutch, the US and worst, the UN. Ever since the Indonesian government took over control over this resource rich island in 1969, have its native people, the rightful owners of this land, been oppressed by the TNI (Indonesian military or militias).

Across the border, the population of Papua New Guinea, were given full independence in 1975. If one looks at the map one has to wonder why this double standard was applied.

The Australian government sends troops to "liberate" Iraqi people, but not a word about West Papua. Quite contrary, cooperation with the TNI, assistance and training is given to the very troops who violate human rights on a scale that needs to be seen to be comprehended. Remember what East Timor looked like after the TNI was forced to leave the country? Brutality pure. The hypocrisy stinks to the heavens.

How many West Papuans have been killed since the Indonesian take over is hard to say. Its lots though. Here is John Pilger's take on the situation:

An estimated 100,000 Papuans, or 10 per cent of the population, have been killed by the Indonesian military. This is a fraction of the true figure, according to refugees. In January, 43 West Papuans reached Australia's north coast after a hazardous six-week journey in a dugout. They had no food, and had dribbled their last fresh water into their children's mouths. "We knew," said Herman Wainggai, the leader, "that if the Indonesian military had caught us, most of us would have died. They treat West Papuans like animals. They kill us like animals. They have created militias and jihadis to do just that. It is the same as East Timor."

And so, to this very day, are the people of West Papua the victims of colonial politics and resource plunder. Where are the legions of US troops that liberate oppressed people? In Iraq, running torture prisons. Where are the Australian politicians & troops to help our persecuted and subdued neighbors? Where is the UN to flex some muscles on this matter? Busy causing and mismanaging the Iraq quagmire.

I sincerely appreciate their efforts in supporting the East Timorese people in their independence vote and the aftermath, although even here one has to say that much bloodshed could have been prevented through earlier, much earlier support for the Timorese.

West Papuans need our support, any ol' way we can. I applaude the few Australian and international organisations that do try and keep the issue in the spotlight, the people that put in their time and money to help the tyrranised over there, and wake us up over here.

For further reading on this urgent issue (at least for the West Papuans), check out:
Friends of people close to nature or Dutch Photojournalists or SBS Dateline or Australian West Papua Association or AWPA Sydney.