Jayapura – In a recent statement, the Chief of Police of Indonesia, Inspector-Commissioner Muhamad Tito Karnavian said that the ships taking part in the Freedom Flotilla are trying to do something sensational.

This statement was countered by the West Papua National Authority (WPNA) whose secretary said that the Chief of Police should send his statement to the Central Government and should call on the government to enter into dialogue with leaders of the state of West Papua.

"The Secretariat of the WPNA strongly rejects the statement made by the Chief of Police who wants to cause a sensation via the local media in Papua. The spokesman of the WPNA who name is Marthen said that the Freedom Flotilla which is sailing to Papua has a clear vision and mission., namely the cultural vision of the people of West Papua."

"We the people of West Papua have relations with the Aboriginal People of Australia as well as with the people living in the Torres Archipelago. Thousands of years ago, there was a link between West Papua and Australia but the colonialists pulled us apart."

Marthen went on to say that the Freedom Flotilla now sailing to Papua is pressing for the liberation of the West Papuan people because they are concerned about the humanitarian crisis in West Papua as well as the political status of West Papua which has come about as a result of Indonesia's grip which was made possible by the New York Agreement of 1962 and the Act of Free Choice in 1969.

"This has led to widespread human rights violations in the Land of Papua which still occur while the Indonesian Government is doing everything possible to convince the international community that Indonesia is undertaking development in West Papua. The fact is that during 2012 and up to the present day, twenty-two KNPB activists have been murdered which is clear a crime against humanity."

He went on to say that the Chief of Police claims, based on information from Australia, that the Freedom Flotilla does not have any support and is simply a fabrication to undermine public opinion.

"The Prime Minister and President of the Federal Republic of the State of West Papua were appointed by the decisions taken at the Third Congress of the People of West Papua."

"We activists of the WPNA herewith declare that the President and the Prime Minister of the NFRPB have sent a letter stating that we will allow them to come here and saying that we are willing to receive them. This is the State of West Papua, not Indonesia," he said, speaking firmly.

Referring to a recent statement made by the Australian Government and the government of Papua New Guinea that they support Indonesian sovereignty, he said that this had been said because it is in their interest to preserve bilateral relations with Indonesia.

"They can go on saying this but the fact is that this is our state and we are the legitimate owners acting on behalf of the people of West Papua. We have never recognised Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua."

When Indonesia says that it regards the Freedom Flotilla as nothing more than sensationalism, this is a clear sign that Indonesia is very much afraid that crimes against humanity have been perpetrated in West Papua and that this is widely acknowledged by the international community.

"We would like to express our appreciation to Vanuatu for declaring its support for independence for West Papua."

He also said that people in a number of districts in West Papua will be welcoming the Freedom Flotilla with prayers and by fasting, all of which has been going on for a number of weeks.

There are also plans to hold a Papuan cultural demonstration which will take place in the streets. This will occur at times that have already been fixed. When this happens, we will clearly show that we have a clear vision and mission, namely the liberation of the West Papuan people from Indonesian colonisation.'

[Translated by TAPOL.]