Jayapura – Melanesian support for the independence of the West Papuan people has always been very strong. For anyone who travels anywhere in Papua New Guinea and the other Melanesian states, they will hear people saying that they fully support West Papua's independence and that West Papua which is separated from PNG by a border is part of the same family, that "we are one all part of the same family".
In the Solomon Islands, Kanaky, Vanuatu and Fiji, people will tell you that Melanesia will not be free until West Papua is free. The people of the Pacific states are acutely aware of the fact that the people of West Papua are living daily under the threat of the gun.
On 6 March, Power Parkop, governor of the National Capital District has clearly nailed his flag to the mast. Speaking before a gathering of around 3,000 people, he declared: "There is no justification in law, religion or morality for Indonesia's occupation of West Papua."
Welcoming the Papuan leader, Benny Wenda who is on a visit to PNG as part of a global tour, he declared: "Wenda will not be arrested while in PNG, no-one will take him into custody, he will be given full freedom. Nothing will be done to stop him and he should feel that he is totally free to say anything that he wants to say. This is his right, which is denied him in West Papua, where he would be arrested, tortured and killed simply because of the different colour of his skin."
Governor Parkop is a member of International Parliamentarians for West Papua which now has members from 56 countries and is conducting a campaign for independence for West Papua. He promised that an office will be set up at City Hall where the Morning Star Flag will be flown. He also promised that Melanesian musicians will support West Papua.
Last year, the Prime Minister of PNG, Peter O'Neil "damaged" relations with Indonesia after reminding his people that they will respond to the state violence which is taking place and the human rights violations that are occurring and the failue of Indonesia's governance in West Papua. Urged on by four thousand women from the Lutheran Church, O'Neil said he is very worried about the human rights violations being committed by the Indonesian government.
Together with the Prime Minister, he is planning to visit Indonesia to present their views to Indonesia about the way to resolve the conflict with West Papua, once and for all.
A well-known political commentator in PNG, Emmanuel Narakobi, spoke on his blog about the multi-faceted approach being taken by Parkop, on how to mobilise public opinion in PNG about West Papua. "This is the first time that I have heard about plans being made with regard to solving the problem of West Papua."
Speaking on the radio, Governor Parkop accused the Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr of failing to handle the issue of West Papua and "trying to sweep it under the carpet." [NB: The Australian foreign minister refused to meet Benny Wenda]
In Vanuatu, the opposition parties have taken strong measures with regard to the question of West Papua and the Anglican Archbishop of Vanuau as well as the priest, James Ligo have called on the government of Vanuatu to change their position on the issue of West Papua.
Recently, Ligo attended the Assembly of Pacific Churches in Honiara in Solomon Islands which adopted a resolution calling on the World Council of Churches to put pressure on the UN to send a team of investigators to Indonesian-occupied Papua.
"We know that Vanuatu has taken a different position (on the question of West Papua), and our government agreed to Indonesia's observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. But at the same time, we are convinced that our churches have the right to continually advocate that our churches will continue to press our states to remind the governments and people about our fears for our brethren in West Papua who continue to suffer daily," said Ligo.
The people of West Papua are organising themselves, not only internally but across the region about their moral indignation at the violence which continues to occur in West Papua.
Prior to the visit of Benny Wenda, a representative of the National Coalition of West Papua for Independence which is based in Vanuatu was granted observer status in the MSG meeting which will take place in June this year 'New Caledonia is another home for Benny Wenda on his long journey for the right to self determination of all Melanesian people.'
In Vanuatu, Benny Wenda won support for all these measures, calling on all opposition groups which hold different opinions to support 'a common agenda for freedom'., and to ensure that a decison for West Papua to attend the MSG meeting as an observer will be adopted.
'In Australia, Bob Carr may try to clamp down on the growing public support for the independence of West Papua, but here in the Melanesian states, everything is moving in the opposite direction.'
[Translated by TAPOL]