Monthly Archives: April 2015

Demonstration For Open Access to Papua

Demonstrations to Call for
Open Access to Papua
Please join us on the 29th of April for a Global Day of Action for Media Access in West Papua
where the Indonesian government still systematically bans foreign journalists from entering.

WHAT IS INDONESIA HIDING IN PAPUA?

END 50 YEARS OF ISOLATION

#OPENPAPUA

WEAR BLACK TO PROTEST THE MEDIA BLACKOUT

JOIN US TO DEMAND FREE AND OPEN ACCESS TO PAPUA

Adelaide Event
Wednesday 29th April 2015  12 noon
Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide

Demonstrators are urged to wear all-black clothing to protest the media blackout in Papua.
They will be carrying placards, some of which will be ‘censored,’ and have their mouths taped
shut.
Free West Papua Campaign
Well Known West Papuan Activist Benny Wenda has asked all West Papuan support groups around the world to hold local rallies on this issue.

On April 29, Demonstrations will be held in London, New York and many other parts of the world
calling for an end to 50 years of isolation and free and open access to Papua. The London protest will take place at noon, outside the Indonesian embassy, 38 Grosvenor Square; the New York protest will begin at 6 pm at the Indonesian consulate, 5 E. 68th St. (near 5th Ave.) in Manhattan. Additional protests may take place elsewhere. Tapol, which initiated the protests, is organizing the London demonstration. ETAN is organizing the one in New York.

West Papua is one of the world’s most isolated conflict spots. For decades, indigenous activists
campaigning for their rights have been arrested, disappeared, tortured and killed. Local journalists who uncover the truth face lethal risks. Foreign journalists trying to report on Papua have been arrested, deported and even imprisoned. One by one, international humanitarian organisations have closed their Papua offices. Access for UN human rights observers has been closed for eight years. Until Indonesia lifts the repressive restrictions on access to Papua, Indonesian security forces and paramilitaries are free to act with total impunity, and indigenous Papuans will continue to be killed.

Demonstrators will be wearing all-black clothing to protest the media blackout in Papua. They will be carrying placards, some of which will be ‘censored,’ and have their mouths taped shut. This visual protest will highlight the absence of free and open access to Papua for international journalists and human rights observers.

We invite advocacy groups around the world to join our call to the Indonesian government to open
access to West Papua. Let the authorities know that the world is watching and standing in solidarity with Papuans. Protest against this veil of secrecy and ask President Jokowi to make good his Presidential campaign promise of opening access to Papua!

Please help to spread the word about the demonstration via social media and by printing and
distributing this flyer.
Please join us on the 29th of April for a Global Day of Action for Media Access in West Papua where the Indonesian government still systematically bans foreign journalists from entering.

Canberra, 12 noon outside the Indonesian Embassy                                                                 Perth, Australia protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/ohfcqnp
Darwin, Australia protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/l3yqseh
New York, USA protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/khcw8nu
London, UK protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/nvkwqqg
Edinburgh, UK details protest here: http://tinyurl.com/nshfyrv

RECEPTION FOR FALINTIL VETERANS DELEGATION TO SA

STOP PRESS: TIMOR-LESTE FALINTIL VETERANS TO VISIT ADELAIDE 20–26 April 2015

Dear supporter of Timor Leste

The Australia East Timor Friendship Association SA cordially invites you to attend a Reception for 5 veterans of FALINTIL (the East Timorese defence force that resisted the illegal occupation of the nation for 24 years), who will be in Adelaide next week as guests of the RSL during ANZAC Day events.

This invitation is also extended by the East Timor Students’ Association SA (ETSA SA) and the Honorary Consul for Timor Leste in SA, Dr Ian Leitch

Our apologies for the very late notice of this event as final details only became known today.

Details are as follows

RECEPTION FOR FALINTIL VETERANS DELEGATION TO SA

Wednesday 22 April 2015 6pm

Venue:  RAAF Mess, 1st Floor, Torrens Parade Ground, Victoria Drive, Adelaide (Entrance on south side of building) (Free parking is available in the grounds)  

Speeches from:  

Ian Leitch (T-L Hon Consul to SA), 

AETFA SA (tbc),  

ETSA-SA (tbc), 

Spokesperson for Veterans,  

MC: Rosemary McKay, Chair AETFA SA                                   

Songs by Fernando Carceres (from ETSA)                                   

Supper provided. Drinks on sale at the bar.  

Donation appreciated to help pay for catering. Timorese students exempt. Please RSVP by Tuesday midday (for catering) to: Andy Alcock ph 8371 0380; mob 0457 827014; email: andyalcock@internode.on  

 

MEDIA STATEMENT: TIMOR RESISTANCE (FALINTIL) MEMBERS GUESTS OF THE RSL FOR ANZAC DAY

The Information Officer of the Australia East Timor Friendship Association SA, Andrew Alcock, announced today that 5 veterans of FALINTIL, the East Timorese defence force that resisted the illegal occupation of the nation for 24 years will come to Adelaide next week to be guests of the RSL during ANZAC Day events.  

The initiative to bring the  veterans to South Australia was a plan of the government of Timor-Leste to explore ways that they can better help all their FALINTIL veterans. Like most soldiers, they can suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other problems fitting back into main stream society after their military experience. In addition, the Timor-Leste Government wants to explore ways that can bring their society to realise the great sacrifice that the veterans made while defending their nation for nearly a quarter of a century.  

The 5 veterans coming to Adelaide are:   

MR PAULO ALVES SARMENTO                                                                                                          MR PEDRO DE OLIVEIRA                                                                                                                 MR FRANCISCO SARMENTO                                                                                                            MR LUCAS DA CONCEICAO SALSINHA                                                                                            MR LUCIO DINIS MARQUES  

All the men were involved in active military service during the time that they were with FALINTIL.  

Each state is hosting a delegation of FALINTIL veterans and they will be invited to be on the official dais at ANZAC Day marches and to participate in other ANZAC Day events. In some states, they will participate in the marches.  

AETFA SA considers that the decision by the RSL to host these Timorese veterans is a recognition of the great sacrifice the East Timorese made during World War 2 to assist the Australian commandos who fought there. During the war, Australia lost 40,000 lives out of a population of 7 million people. The East Timorese lost about 70,000 out of a population of half a million. It is believed that the Japanese Imperial Military targeted those villages where the Australians received assistance and about 40,000 who lost their lives were summarily executed for helping the Australians..  

Some believe that if Australia had not occupied East Timor, then a colony of Portugal, the Japanese military may not have invaded.  

The sacrifice of our East Timorese brothers and sisters is a reason why there is a very special bond between Australia and Timor-Leste.  

During their stay in Adelaide, the FALINTIL veterans will attend events organised by the AETFA SA, East Timorese students in Adelaide, members of the East Timorese diaspora and those who have worked in solidarity with Timor-Leste for many years.  

AETFA SA, which began as the Campaign for an Independent East Timor SA, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.  

Andrew (Andy) Alcock                                                                                                               Information Officer                                                                                                                           Australia East Timor Friendship Association SA Inc                                                                             (PO Box 240 GoodwoodSA 5034)                                                                                                Phone:    61 8 83710480                                                                                                                  0457 827 014                                                                                                                          Email:       andyalcock@internode.on