May Day marks anniversary of Dutch genocide complicity

Monday April 28, 2003 15:59

by WP - WP

Protest-vigil at Dutch embassy Thursday May 1, 11am-1pm

40 years ago on May 1st, 1963, the Indonesian flag was raised over West Papua, marking the annexation of West Papua and the brutal suppression of a nation. Formerly run by the Netherlands and for seven months by the United Nations, the world community turned a blind eye as the West Papuans were sacrificed to the interests of “real-politik” and corporate greed. The question of West Papua is unfinished business for both the United Nations and the Netherlands. The Netherlands continues to be silent on the on-going genocide in West Papua, as it seeks to maintain “cordial” political and economic relations with its former colony, Indonesia.

Vigil on Thursday May 1 at Netherlands Embassy

“NETHERLANDS COMPLICIT IN GENOCIDE"

Vigil at Netherlands Embassy to mark 40th anniversary of Indonesian Takeover of West Papua

11.00am to 1.00pm, Thursday, May 1, 2003

Location: Netherlands Embassy, 160 Merrion Road, Dublin 4

Bring: placards, drums…

40 years ago on May 1st, 1963, the Indonesian flag was raised over West Papua, marking the annexation of West Papua and the brutal suppression of a nation.

Formerly run by the Netherlands and for seven months by the United Nations, the world community turned a blind eye as the West Papuans were sacrificed to the interests of “real-politik” and corporate greed.

The question of West Papua is unfinished business for both the United Nations and the Netherlands.

The Netherlands continues to be silent on the on-going genocide in West Papua, as it seeks to maintain “cordial” political and economic relations with its former colony, Indonesia.

When East Timor was taken over by Indonesia in 1975, its former colonizer, Portugal, spoke out and supported self-determination for East Timor. However, the Netherlands has stayed silent on the question of West Papuan self-determination, and thus, as a central party, is directly complicit in genocide.

West Papua, north of Australia, is the western half of New Guinea island. At least 100,000 West Papuans have been killed since 1963. Some observers have put the figure as high as 300,000.

For more information: 01 860 3431 / 087 2969742 http://westpapuaaction.buz.org

West Papua Action
134 Phibsborough Road
Dublin 7
Ireland
Tel. (direct) *353 (0)1 860 3431
Mobile *353 (0)87 2969742
Fax. *353 (0)1 882 7576
Email wpaction@iol.ie
http://westpapuaaction.buz.org
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for human rights in West Papua
including the right to self-determination
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