Does Australia support West Papua?
For nearly 60 years, successive Australian governments have supported Indonesia’s territorial claim to West Papua, while the Australian left has strongly backed the Papuan independence movement. The Greens, Australia’s largest left-wing political party, strongly supports West Papuan self-determination.
Why is Indonesia in West Papua?
In 1949, when Indonesia formally gained independence from its colonizer, the Netherlands, the European country did not also relinquish control of its nearby colonial territory, West New Guinea (now known as West Papua). His administration thus waged a campaign to gain control of the territory.
How many West Papuans have been killed by Indonesian?
500,000 Papuans
Indonesia has controlled West Papua since invading in 1963 and formalising its annexation through the controversial, UN approved, ‘Act of Free Choice’. Security forces are accused of severe human rights violations during the occupation with an estimated 500,000 Papuans killed.
When did Indonesia invade West Papua?
1 October 1962
Papua conflict
| Date | 1 October 1962 – ongoing (59 years, 2 months and 20 days) |
|---|---|
| Location | Papua and West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea) |
| Status | Ongoing |
Is West Papua safe?
The vast majority of indigenous people in West Papua is exceptionally friendly and welcoming, especially when considering the Papuans’ prolonged historical isolation and disproportionately recent first exposure to the outside world in general and tourism in particular.
Why does Australia support Papua New Guinea?
A stable, prosperous, peaceful and resilient PNG is critical to Australia’s interests. We are PNG’s largest development partner; its main partner on economic and security issues; and its most active supporter in helping it respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
Does Indonesia own Papua New Guinea?
For one, West Papua isn’t a country in its own right, it’s a province of Indonesia. While local government certainly has a say in what goes on, they are ultimately controlled by Indonesia and lack their own governmental system. Meanwhile Papua New Guinea has its own government, legislative system and Prime Minister.
Where is the New Guinea?
New Guinea, island of the eastern Malay Archipelago, in the western Pacific Ocean, north of Australia. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the north, the Bismarck and Solomon seas to the east, the Coral Sea and Torres Strait to the south, and the Arafura Sea to the southwest.
Who Controls West Papua?
West Papua is the second-least populous province in Indonesia, with a population of 1,134,068 at the 2020 Census. After the Japanese surrender, the Dutch remained in New Guinea until 1962 when they transferred the control of the region to Indonesian government as a part of the New York Agreement.