Source: Izzy Brown on YouTube
On April 2nd, 2014, West Papuan solidarity groups are holding a day of action calling on the Indonesian Government to free all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally. Rallies are being held in various cities around the world.
Full Statement by the Australia West Papua Association (Sydney): Media release Free all West Papuan political Prisoners
Statement from TAPOL: Demonstration to call for the release of Papuan political prisoners in Indonesia
Statement from the Free West Papua Campaign: Demonstrate to free Papuan political prisoners – 2 April
Facebook event page for the demo in London: Demonstration to call for the release of Papuan political prisoners in Indonesia
Facebook event page for the demo in Melbourne: Free Political Prisoners in West Papua and Maluku
More about West Papuan political prisoner: Papuans Behind Bars
Izzy Brown, on Filming this Interview
On a recent freedom flotilla reconnaissance mission to West Papua I was blessed to meet a host of staunch Papuans fighting for their independence in a variety of ways. To a background of new year celebrations of fire crackers and feasting on fish and sago, the women and men I interviewed revealed their own experiences under occupation from Indonesia as well as their resolve for freedom.
On my second day in Jayapura after meeting some of the key players in the Federal Republic of West Papua’s interim government of which many of its members are exiled or imprisoned, I arranged to meet the political prisoners in jail in Jayapura, these include the Prime Minister Edison Waromi and President Forkorus Yaboisembut and freedom fighter Philip Karma.
I entered the Prison under the guise of being a church rep ‘Rev Brown’. Luck was on our side and I made it in with a video camera between my legs. We then retired to the on site prison church for what looked like a prayer circle to conduct our interviews. Being the festive season the prison was very busy with visitors and we went undetected. I’m excited to bring to you these interviews with the political prisoners in Abepura Prison Jayapura. Mandela maybe dead but his patience and determination lives on in the prisons of West Papua.
Izzy Brown
West Papua Freedom Flotilla
