A demonstration by dozens of students from Cenderawasih University calling for West Papua to become a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group was forced to disperse by the police on the grounds that they did not have a permit to demonstrate. Moreover, they were flying the Kejora – Morning Star flag.

Yason Ngelia who was responsible for holding the peaceful demo told journalists: "We support the idea that West Papua should be part of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) which is seeking to improve welfare and the economy and which would help improve economic conditions in West Papua and ensure that we are no longer so undeveloped."

He also mentioned the fact on the previous day, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu declared that West Papua must be included in the MSG. He made these points during a speech which he was able to deliver before the demonstrators were forcibly dispersed by the police. He said that as students, 'We must concern ourselves with conditions in West Papua; being inside the MSG would help to promote West Papua's welfare and economy,' he said.

As a member of the Students Council of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, he said they must devote their attention to the conditions of the West Papua people where nothing has improved. "We must fully support whatever the people of West Papua want. We have no connections with any group that has special interests in the Land of Papua."

Pointing to the many leaflets circulating which include a photo of the Kejora flag that have been hung on the front gate of the campus, he said: "All this is a clear manifestation of our support for West Papua to be within the MSG because we too are Melanesians."

"We deeply regret the actions that were taken by the police to disperse the demonstrators, during which they beat some of the students. As a result, one student was suffering from a wound in his mouth because of the way he had been beaten in the face. Not only that; his motorbike was seized by the police."

"We insist that the police immediately return the motorbike to its owner. This is an action which clearly shows that the police have no respect for the principles of democracy, here in West Papua." he said.

[Translated by TAPOL.]