23 Apr 2008

Students detained over demonstration in Jayapura

8:15 am on 23 April 2008

A peaceful demonstration involving about 500 West Papuan people is reported to have occurred in Abepura yesterday.

However Indonesian Para-military police and Military reportedly stopped hundreds more people seeking to attend the demonstration.

The West Papuan student organisation Front Pepera, was reported to have organised the demonstration, demanding that the Republic of Indonesian recognise West Papuan sovereignty back to the year 1961.

At least seven students were arrested for unfurling the banned Morning Star flag.

The students refused to answer questions from the local Military commander in the Abepura before being transferred to Jayapura police station.

There are now 20 West Papuan so-called political prisoners who have been detained for involvement in peaceful demonstrations since March.