WALK AND YOGA FOR LIFE DEDICATED TO FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN
By WANPIS AKO
The Free West Papua Campaign has attracted support worldwide amidst Indonesia’s violent suppression of West Papua’s movement for independence and 50 years of massive abuses of human rights.
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Fred Mambrasa, leader of West Papua Campaign in PNG and others participating in the Walk and Yoga for Life dedicated to Free West Papua Campaign.
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In Port Moresby today (Sunday, July 01, 2018), the capital of Papua New Guinea, hundreds of city dwellers turned out and participated in the usual 8-Kilometre Walk and Yoga for Life to demonstrate their support yet again for the campaign.
July 1st marks the Proclamation Day anniversary of West Papua. It was proclaimed as Independence Day by OPM.
They observe the date globally
The walk starts at 5:30 am every Sunday from Murray Barracks to Paga Hill ring road.
It also signified its resumption. WYFL was suspended temporarily last Sunday and merged with the annual Trukai Fun Run hosted by the Trukai Industries.
The activity was dedicated to Free West Papua campaign.
Despite the NCD Governor Powes Parkop’s absence, it did not affect the turnout. He is out of town.
Despite the NCD Governor Powes Parkop’s absence, it did not affect the turnout. He is out of town.
Amidst the participants were Fred Mambrasa, leader of West Papua Campaign in PNG and others. The ‘morning star' flag was also flying high.
In 2017, PNG granted citizenship to 137 refugees of West Papua Origin.
However, the government of Indonesia claims that it has been working tirelessly to show its commitment in developing the province with infrastructure and connectivity developments being its first priority, a something which West Papuan leaders always deny.
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Hundreds turned out and participated in the Walk for Free West Papua Campaign. Usual Walk and Yoga for Life was dedicated to the cause.
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On the contrary, a refugee, who wished to remain anonymous, said 500, 000 civilians were killed by Indonesian security forces since 1965, citing on-going genocide.
The province was annexed by Indonesia in 1963 ending Dutch control.
One notable outcome of the Melanesian Spear Group leaders’ summit in Port Moresby in February this year, the West Papua’s bid to become a full member of the group gained traction reaching further step into realising its aspirations on the pathway towards its aspirations of freedom and independence.
The Walk and Yoga for Life provides the forum to raise awareness of cross-cutting issues affecting the city, country and the region at large.
Author Reference: Wanpis Ako has graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Public Relations. He has briefly worked with two daily newspapers of Papua New Guinea-The National and Post Courier. His work experience has been extended into the Prime Minister's Media Unit and the office of Parliamentary Opposition Leader of Papua New Guinea- not to mention the Ministries of Treasury, Higher Education, Communications, Information Technology and Energy. He has got over five years experience in digital marketing, branding, public affairs, media and public relations.
