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RI sends ‘note of protest’ to Fiji over recognition of West Papua
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Papuans take part in a parade in Surabaya, East Java, on Dec. 1, 2018, commemorating Papua’s independence from Dutch colonial rule. (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
I
ndonesia has lodged a formal complaint with the Fijian government expressing its “deep disappointment” with the South Pacific country’s recognition of West Papua and support for the separatist movement there, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
“Fundamentally, the Indonesian government has made its position loud and clear. It has clearly expressed our disappointment,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah.
Fijian government representatives met with Papuan separatist figure Benny Wenda in early February at the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) in Nadi, Fiji, and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka publicly announced his support for the separatist movement on social media soon thereafter.
“Yes, we will support the [United Liberation Movement for West Papua] because they are Melanesians. I am more hopeful that the [ULMWP will gain full Melanesian Spearhead Group membership],” Rabuka tweeted. “I am not taking it for granted. The dynamics may have changed slightly but the principles are the same.”
Benny, too, tweeted after the meeting, saying the “relationship between West Papua and Fiji [has been] renewed”.
On the day of the forum, Fijian Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya made a similar statement of support, adding that she had “great respect” for the “freedom fighters”.
“[They are] fighting for freedom and independence of West Papua from Indonesia, with an estimated half a million Papuans killed to date. Dictators and oppressors are so out of date now, let’s stand with our Melanesian brothers and sisters to say no more,” Tabuya wrote.
