The Wire

Leaders representing 29 West Papuan political and civil society organizations have formed a coalition in an effort to get self determination for West Papua onto the international agenda. Indonesia maintains that West Papua is a part of their country, since occupying Papua after the 1969 so-called “Act of Free Choice”. In an effort to kerb growing calls for independence, Indonesia introduced “Special Autonomy” for West Papua, which was intended to lead to economic and social benefits for the indigenous population. But the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation say that “Special Autonomy” has failed, and that they are ready to take their struggle to the international stage.