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Southeast and East Asia

West Papua

Background info

Ever since the invasion of West Papua over fifty years ago, the Indonesian security forces have committed a never ending catalogue of extreme human rights violations.

Over 500,000 civilians have been killed in a genocide against the indigenous population. Thousands more have been raped, tortured, imprisoned or ‘disappeared’ after being detained. Basic human rights such as freedom of speech are denied and Papuans live in a constant state of fear and intimidation.

BP - British Petroleum in West Papua

BP’s massive project in Tangguh, Bintuni Bay, West Papua contains around 14.4 trillion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas. But the company’s investments and operations are helping to legitimise the region’s illegal occupation by Indonesia.

West Papua is the western half of the island of New Guinea, just 200km north of Australia. It is a region with hundreds of Indigenous tribes and cultures but has been under Indonesian occupation since 1963, with its people experiencing decades of human rights abuses, widespread violence and the suppression of their right to self-determination.

Despite all this:

BP boasts that it is ‘committed to Indonesia’ and is one of the country’s largest foreign investors, giving legitimacy to the occupation of West Papua

Large revenues generated by BP in West Papua flow to the Indonesian government. In 2012, BP also made $69,000 in security-related payments.

Foreign media and human rights groups are banned from operating in West Papua, making it difficult to assess the reality on the ground

BP security guards are spying on the local community and passing intelligence on ‘disruptive individuals’ to the military.

Well-armed Indonesian security forces are secretly stationed inside the oil company’s base;

Retired senior Indonesian police and military officers are running an ‘elite cadre’ of BP guards armed with stun guns and rubber bullets who are given training in how to spot agitators.

BP’s claims to invest in the island development were also exposed as more PR than substance:

A BP sponsored flagship health clinic serving 3,000 people has been without electricity for six months because the generator was not installed.

Melanesian villagers are given a cheaper anti-malarial drug while BP employees are treated with a more expensive brand.

Tuberculosis, a disease linked to poverty and poor housing, is on the rise but since 2002 BP has resettled just a handful of communities and only because it needed their land to build its base.

How you can help

Tweetstorm on Wednesday (24/06) ー keep tweeting after Wednesday as well!

Tweet:

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Free the West Papuan anti-racist activists without conditions and free West Papua political prisoners. Stop the criminalization of freedom of expression. We demand that they are released immediately! #FreeTapolPapua #FreeBalikpapan7 #PapuanLivesMatter⁠

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We stand in solidarity with the activists in prison who protested against racism in West Papua. We demand that they're released immediately along with all the political prisoners who were imprisoned unrightfully! We stand with @FreeWestPapua! #FreeTapolPapua #FreeBalikpapan7 ⁠

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Since the invasion of West Papua over 50 years ago, the Indonesian forces have committed countless human rights violations. Over 500,000 civilians have been killed in the genocide against the indigenous population. Free West Papua NOW! #FreeWestPapua #PapuanLivesMatter⁠

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A BP-sponsored health clinic serving 3,000 people in West Papua has been without electricity for six months because the generator was not installed. This isn't a rightful way to treat the communities living there! We need to demand human rights for the Papuans! #PapuanLivesMatter⁠

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Use: #FreeTapolPapua #FreePapuanPoliticalPrisoners #FreeBalikpapan7 #PapuanLivesMatter

Email storm for #FreeBalikpapan7

Click to email:

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We condemn Indonesian racist law. Immediately stop the criminalization of freedom of expression. Free the West Papuan anti-racist activists without conditions and free West Papua political prisoners.⁠

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Release West Papuan Political prisoners!⁠

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Follow local accounts:

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@freewestpapua⁠

on Instagram

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@FreeWestPapua⁠

on Twitter

Other actions can be found:

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Take Action - Free West Papua⁠

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