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| The “president” of Papua, Forkorus Yaboisembut, at Jayapura District Court in 2012. Photo: Jakarta Globe / Antara |
Five West Papuan political prisoners have been released after serving three-year sentences in a Jayapura prison.
The activists were arrested in October 2011 for reading out a
“declaration of independence” from Indonesia. They were released
yesterday.
“Those released included prominent tribal leader Forkorus
Yaboisembut, who was declared “president of the Federal Republic of West
Papua” during the 2011 declaration of independence event; Edison
Waromi, who was declared prime minister; as well as Agustinus Sanany
Kraar, Selpius Bobii and Dominikus Sorbet.
Forkorus Yaboisembut, now age 59, told local media that the group had
only been released because they had served their full jail terms.
“We will keep working together in the future until there is
recognition [of our independence] and a transfer of sovereignty from the
Republic of Indonesia to the Federal Republic of West Papua,” he said.
In 1969, Indonesia held a referendum known as the ‘Act of Free
Choice’, during which a vote was held and it was subsequently announced
that the population had decided to relinquish West Papua’s sovereignty
in favor of Indonesian citizenship.
Rights monitors and West Papuan activists claim that the referendum
was rigged and have since agitated for a re-vote. However, any political
activities aimed at independence have been met with swift punishment
from the Indonesian government.
Earlier this month, six activists from the National Committee for
West Papua were reportedly arrested and beaten for distributing leaflets
calling on the West Papuan people to boycott the presidential election.
Fr Neles Kebadabi Tebay, who is a rector of Fajar Timur School of
Philosophy and Theology in Abepura, told ucanews.com that the activists
could face re-arrest if they continue agitating for independence. “I,
however, think that such arrests won’t solve the problem. The government
of Indonesia and representatives of Papuans must sit together in a
dialogue,” Fr Neles added.
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