{"id":865,"date":"2015-05-23T01:02:42","date_gmt":"2015-05-23T01:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infopapua.org\/?p=865"},"modified":"2015-05-23T01:10:59","modified_gmt":"2015-05-23T01:10:59","slug":"benny-wendas-article-in-the-png-post-courier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infopapua.org\/?p=865","title":{"rendered":"Benny Wenda’s article in the PNG Post Courier"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following appeared as a feature in the PNG Post- Courier<\/a> newspaper on 22nd May 2015.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By BENNY WENDA<\/p>\n

\"Benny
\nFor more than 50 years, my people have suffered a creeping genocide under a repressive Indonesian military occupation that is estimated to have claimed 500,000 West Papuan lives.In one month\u2019s time, the eyes of the Pacific will turn to Melanesia as our leaders gather in Honiara to decide on West Papua\u2019s membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.<\/p>\n

Next month\u2019s meeting is a critical opportunity to give my people a voice, and to allow us to take our rightful place in the Melanesian family.<\/p>\n

West Papua\u2019s request for MSG membership is grounded firmly in the group\u2019s founding principles: respect for and promotion of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values, the inalienable human rights of the indigenous peoples of Melanesia, and most of all, the spirit of Melanesian solidarity.<\/p>\n

These principles are enshrined in the MSG\u2019s 2007 constitution, which all MSG members are bound to respect.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s MSG Summit won\u2019t be the first time the region\u2019s leaders have had West Papua on their agenda. In recent years, they have expressed serious concerns about human rights and the atrocities committed against my people. And perhaps most importantly, the Melanesian leaders said in 2013 that they \u201cfully support\u201d West Papua\u2019s right to self-determination.<\/p>\n

Throughout the Pacific, there is a real sense that the time is right to stand with West Papua, and to bring us into the Melanesian family.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Indonesian diplomacy has escalated, beginning with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi\u2019s chequebook tour of the region in late February, and a visit by President Widodo to Port Moresby last week.<\/p>\n

With West Papua\u2019s natural resources continuing to be a significant driver of the Indonesian economy, they will say and do anything to suppress support for our homecoming.<\/p>\n

Ultimately,Indonesia has no right to stand in the way of a decision by Melanesian leaders for Melanesia, and only Melanesia.<\/p>\n

Any suggestion that Indonesia must approve or consent to West Papua\u2019s MSG membership runs counter to the spirit of Melanesian solidarity that lies at the heart of the MSG, and is an insult to Melanesians everywhere.<\/p>\n

\"11350854_10155694703200294_881187333286784114_n\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Remember, Indonesia has already broken its promise to Prime Minister Peter O\u2019Neill that it would withdraw its military forces from West Papua, and has done nothing to hold out a genuine hand of friendship to West Papua and the people that have long suffered under the regime\u2019s brutality and campaign of terror.<\/p>\n

The fact that President Widodo required an additional 6,000 armed personnel to accompany him to West Papua en route to Port Moresby demonstrates his lack of confidence and trust he feels from among the people in what Jakarta calls its \u2018provinces\u2019, and his government\u2019s attempts to stymie our MSG membership will do nothing to improve the situation.<\/p>\n

With all of this in mind, we were very concerned to hear recent suggestions that Prime Minister O\u2019Neill would prefer to avoid consideration of West Papua\u2019s full MSG membership, and instead look at upgrading Indonesia\u2019s own status to become\u00a0an \u201cassociate member\u201d.<\/p>\n

Allowing Indonesian provincial leaders a seat at the MSG table risks isolating Papua New Guinea on the question of West Papua, and casts significant doubt on whether he truly has Melanesia\u2019s best interests at heart.Clearly, the only legitimate representatives for West Papua are the West Papuans themselves.<\/p>\n

We of course understand Prime Minister O\u2019Neill\u2019s concern about the need for West Papuans to have a united front at the MSG table, which is why we came together in December last year to form the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.<\/p>\n

We havebeen making our case for MSG membership with a united voice, and wrote directly this week to MSG Leaders to reiterate our strong claims for membership. We look forward to reinforcing the point in person when Foreign Ministers and then leaders gather in Honiara next month.<\/p>\n

For too long, the world has turned a blind eye to the plight of my people.<\/p>\n

Our brothers and sisters in Melanesia now have an opportunity to take a stand, and allow us to take our rightful place in Melanesia\u2019s pre-eminent political grouping.<\/p>\n

This is not only a question of Melanesian solidarity, but a test of Melanesian leadership.<\/p>\n