Freedom flotilla sails into West Papua

September 13, 2013
Issue 
The freedom flotilla is welcomed in West Papua. Photo: freedomflotillawestpapua.org.

The released this statement on September 12.

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Evading the Indonesian navy, two tiny boats met near the Australia-Indonesia border to ceremonially reconnect the indigenous peoples of Australia and West Papua. The ceremony was the pinnacle of a 5000 kilometre journey beginning in Lake Eyre, in which sacred water and ashes were carried and presented to West Papuan leaders.

While the Freedom Flotilla鈥檚 flagship the Pog sailed towards West Papua, the world watched its progress via a live satellite tracker onboard the vessel, providing a much-needed distraction for the clandestine ceremony to take place in an undisclosed location off the south coast of Papua.

The cultural exchange of Indigenous elders was held in secret, due to threats made by Indonesian government ministers and military officials that the navy and airforce would 鈥渢ake measures鈥 against the peaceful protest, and had not ruled out the use of lethal force.

Soon-to-be Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop had also stated that Indonesia may do 鈥渨hatever it wishes鈥 to stop the peaceful protest.

During the momentous ceremony Arabunna elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott presented the sacred water from the mound springs of Lake Eyre, along with ashes from the Aboriginal tent embassies around the country, to senior West Papuan leaders.

The exchange was intended to reunite the cultures of the two indigenous peoples, whose lands where once joined before being separated at the end of the last ice age, and as a symbol of support for the West Papuans鈥 50-year-long struggle for freedom and justice under Indonesian military occupation.

Earlier this year, Buzzacott called out to all people to join him on this journey to West Papua. He said: 鈥淲e have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters from across the water. We must bring the water and the fire, the love and the music to heal the country and move in solidarity.鈥

Returning from the historic event Buzzacott said: 鈥淲e came in peace, not like those other politicians who are coming selling arms to the Indonesian military, like the Americans who just last month sold them Apache attack choppers, those are to be used against West Papuans, and they know it.鈥

鈥淲e made that dream that we鈥檝e been building with [exiled West Papuan leader] Jacob Rumbiak since 2000, we made it happen,鈥 he added.

Rumbiak said: 鈥淭he spirit of the movement is still alive. Our people face many challenges for their freedom but they still show us today the determination and imagination to continue the struggle.鈥

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