The West Papuan National Committee (KNPB) has called on West Papuans to commemorate the tragic day in their history, the 15 August in 1962 (The New York Agreement) when the Papuan people were betrayed by the international community.

The New York Agreement which was brokered by the US and basically called for the transfer of the Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia after a short period of UN administration. No West Papuans were involved in this agreement.

The agreement included a guarantee that the Papuan people would be allowed an "Act of Free Choice" to determine their political status. The so called "Act of Free Choice" in 1969 was a sham and 63 years after the New York Agreement agreement West Papuans are still suffering under Indonesian oppression.

The West Papua National Committee has called for West Papuans to peacefully hold rallies/forums commemorating the New York Agreement on the 15 August and guaranteed not to disrupt public order.

In a Jubi report (14 August) a KNPB spokesperson has urged people from Sorong to Merauke to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the New York Agreement according to their own style.

However, he suggested that people raise black flags and wear black clothing to symbolize the death of democracy in Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said, "hopefully this year the security forces will allow the West Papuan people to commemorate their tragic day in history peacefully. In the past the authorities have used a heavy-handed approach to demonstrations with intimidation and arrests of peaceful activists".

In one action, The KNPB Mimika region, together with the KNPB Numbay Tipu sector, will hold a discussion and reflection together regarding August 15, 1962, the New York Agreement

President Thomas Wilson said "...that no right anywhere exists to hand peoples about from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were property" and this is exactly what happened to the West Papuan people. Handed over by one colonial power, The Netherlands to another, Indonesia with a short administration period by the UN as a face-saving compromise for the Dutch and the international community.

Source: https://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2025/08/west-papuans-to-commemorate-their-day.htm