29 May 2015

Dozens of activists arrested during Papua protest

9:49 am on 29 May 2015

The Papuan representative organisation, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, says as many as 30 activists from the National Committee for West Papua have been arrested in Indonesia.

The KNPB has been pushing for freedom of expression for West Papuans and is one of the member groups in the ULMWP which is seeking to join the Pacific sub-regional political body, the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua converges on the Melanesian Spearhead Group secretariat to submit its formal membership application.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 Dan McGarry

The KNPB says up to 32 activists were arrested as they staged a protest in Jayapura.

It is the third time this month that large numbers have been taken into custody during rallies.

Over 250 were arrested in various rallies during the May 1st annexation events and another 70 last week in another rally supporting the MSG membership bid.