Winston Tarere – Former Papuan activists Franz Albert Joku and Nicholas Simion Messet are calling on all West Papuans in exile to return home.

This was followed by a special request to the new Vanuatu Ambassador to Fiji Nikenike Vurobaravu, to tell members of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) based in Vanuatu to return to West Papua.

"Andy and John Ondawame are our brothers... we respect their decision and the path they choose. Mr. High Commissioner can you tell them please come home. Andy and John Ondowame are our brothers."

They said Indonesia is not the country it used to be that democratic reforms put in place since the downfall of the Suharto regime and the granting of the autonomy has allowed West Papuans to participate freely in self government.

"We are already practicing self determination under the autonomy region. That's why we as West Papuans want to make sure that we fill key positions in Jakarta so that we have a say on policy matters that will determine how development is carried out in West Papua.

Joku and Messet appealed to all West Papuan activists in Australia, Netherlands, America and around the world to come back to their homeland where the "bird of paradise is."

"We are not perfect... but so is the United States. We acknowledge that there are still human rights breaches but the human rights issue is no longer the main priority for the Indonesian government. Corruption is Indonesia's number one evil. is the fourth largest democracy in the world," says Joku. He was implying that the human rights conditions in West Papua have improved to the point that it is no longer a concern.

Responding to questions on Indonesia's transmigration policy, Mr Messet said the indigenous West Papuan are not in danger of becoming a minority to the Javanese in their own land. "We are not in any danger of becoming minority in our own land. If you look at the black African American, they have not become minorities."

However, an attendant corrected him by saying, "it is wrong to use the African American in American as an example because first of all, African Americans are not the indigenous population and the indigenous Indians are a minority".

The panel of speakers claim that West Papuans have enjoyed much freedom under the autonomy and that countries like Vanuatu should respect the wishes of the West Papuans.

"While we are grateful for the support that has been given by Vanuatu towards the freedom of West Papua, we do not want other countries to dictate what is best for us," Messet said.

Joku said the West Papuan people respect and are grateful for what Vanuatu has done for their countries. "Even if we have an independent West Papua or a West Papua under autonomy, we will still need the support of the governments such as Vanuatu to act as checks and balance."

The series of three lectures began on Tuesday last week at the Japan ICT conference center, the same day Prime Minister Moana Carcasses was raising the issue of human rights abuse by Indonesian authorities against the people of West Papua.

Source: http://www.dailypost.vu/content/joku-and-messet-call-exiled-papuans-go-home