SUARA BAPTIS DI TANAH PAPUA

In an act of solidarity with the people of West Papua, UK supporters of the Free West Papua Campaign came out on 1st December to mark West Papua independence day.

To the backdrop of West Papuan music and Morning Star flags blowing in the wind, supporters gathered outside the Indonesian Embassy for a vigil starting at midday. When it came to deliver a letter for the Indonesian Ambassador, embassy officials refused to answer the door. Eventually a British police officer entered the embassy to deliver a letter condemning Indonesia's continued occupation of West Papua and violation of human rights.

Following the Embassy vigil, the procession made their their way to Westminster where a meeting took place between some of the UK members of International Parliamentarians for West Papua and International Lawyers for West Papua. In a highly productive session, the onward strategy for both IPWP and ILWP was discussed. This will include a launch event that will take place in the European Parliament in early 2010.

Following this meeting Benny Wenda presented Andrew Smith with a copy of the newly published book on the 'Act of Free Choice' by Professor Pieter Drooglever. Supporters then went onto the UK Foreign Office where a letter and copy of the book were handed in by Benny Wenda and Andrew Smith to the UK Foreign Secretary David Milliband.