Hundreds of people gathered outside the Abepura post office in the Papuan capital of Jayapura on Thursday morning for a rally demanding a referendum.
They said they were waiting for friends who would join the demonstration, which was to be held outside the provincial legislative council, as reported by kompas.com.
Clad in traditional costumes, some of the protesters unfurled a banner which read: "Special autonomy fails, ask for referendum." Shops and office buildings nearby were closed as police were standing guard to prevent possible violence.
Your comments:
Just hundreds? I reckon it's thousands.
Kaskado
Jayapura
When an unwanted thing happens, we should not put the blame on someone or something else. We had better ask ourselves why such thing happens. I believe that this happens because of dissatisfaction. If we search inside, we will surely find out that it is we who create the imbalance, and those out there are only reacting to it.
We must ask ourselves why this happens again and again. If Papuans do not feel comfortable, it is because we do not make them feel comfortable.
Marcianus
Jakarta
Thank the Almighty it was done peacefully and without overreaction from the security forces.
The sad news is our "former masters" the Netherlands lost in the World Cup final. Many Papuans were in tears.
We hope that the government of Indonesia will play a good political game in Papua. Otherwise, you are going to lose Papua like you lost East Timor.
Viva Indonesia
Henk Rumbewas
Jayapura
Yes, whenever a Westerner comments about human-rights issues the crimes of our ancestors are thrown in our faces.
While we keep talking about crimes from 50 to 500 years ago, what do we do about the abuses of today? What solutions do you who "damn the west with an opinion" have for those around the world who need assistance?
If the West's history makes it ineligible to comment and act on human rights issues, who then shall stand up for human rights?
Iain
Jakarta
When Western states talk about human right violations in the Muslim world, they are simply looking for a pretext to execute colonial designs in our lands.
The manner in which these same nations carved East Timor from Indonesia is still fresh in our memories. Intellectuals in Indonesia must actively expose the similar, sinister designf the West has for Papua.
We know that the worst human rights violations are taking place in Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya. The whole population of Gaza is being subjected to the worst human rights violations with the tacit approval of western nations. Westerners who are responsible for Bagram, Guantanomo, and Abu Ghraib are still there.
Human rights are not universal values; not everyone agrees on them. We have our own set of Islamic values, according to which we can solve our issues. Please stop preaching to us!
Abdullah
Sri Lanka
Western human rights abuses are used to lay the foundation of a developed, stable progressive state. Too often the human rights abuses of non-westerners lays the foundations of despotic states.
It does not make human rights abuses pretty in either event, but maybe flawed humans do not have a choice between good and bad, but only between bad and worse.
In the case of East Timor, the west disagreed with Indonesia's despotic mismanagement, yet delayed intervention.
We do not want to become mother to yet another basket case Pacific state that cannot govern itself but will not let anyone else govern it either.
Sadly, that may happen in Papua.
Ken Maynard
New Zealand
Why are foreigners so interested in breaking Indonesia into pieces? Do something useful rather than commenting on or triggering separatism in Indonesia.
You guys failed to separate Aceh from Indonesia and now you are looking to the eastern part of Indonesia - our beloved Papua. Come on, the Indonesian government is not that bad.
You started in Papua.and what next? Get a life, dude!
Jack
Depok, West Java
