Print
this page
Email
this page Newsletters - Acts of Terror and the Family
Papua New Guinea
Few people in the outside world have even heard of West Papua. But this remote and beautiful land is the scene of a vicious but largely hidden military occupation, which is taking a terrible toll on the family life of an entire civilisation.
West Papua is the western half of New Guinea, the world’s second-largest island. Home to the world’s second-largest expanse of tropical rainforest, it is also home to an ancient tribal civilisation. Its people live in 300 different tribes, each with their own language and distinct culture. Traditional family life is focused on the village and the extended family. Respect for both dead ancestors and living “elders” is at the heart of family life and Papuan culture.
But West Papua is a land under a shroud. Previously part of the Dutch East Indies, it declared independence in 1961, only to be invaded by neighbouring Indonesia the following year. Ever since, West Papua has been illegally occupied by the Indonesian government, which is profiting from its rich natural resources. A vast military presence keeps watch over the Papuan people every day. Their traditions are suppressed, and raising their national flag is a crime punishable by a decade in jail. Rape, murder and torture are everyday occurrences, meted out to anyone suspected of “disloyalty” to the Indonesian state. At least 1,000,000 Papuans have been killed since the Indonesian occupation began over 40 years ago.
The effect of this state-led terrorism on family life has been horrific. In every village there are children who have seen their relatives tortured, threatened or even killed by soldiers. Families are deliberately broken up by soldiers in order to destroy the cohesiveness of the tribe, and the families of known dissidents are often abused themselves as revenge or punishment.
Some West Papuans are lucky enough to escape to tell the world what is happening to their people. One of them is Benny Wenda. Benny is the leader of Demmak, a peaceful, pan-tribal coalition calling for independence for West Papua. When Benny was four years old, many of his family, including his father, were killed by an Indonesian bombing raid on their highland village. Benny’s leg was broken and has never properly healed. In 2001, Benny was arrested for his campaigning, taken to a police station, tortured and threatened with death. He managed to escape and flee to the UK, where he applied for political asylum. A few months later his wife and child followed him, despite the Indonesians having targeted them as members of his family. Benny’s story is horrific, but he is one of the lucky ones. He escaped and is founder of the Free West Papua Campaign, which works to raise awareness of the hidden horrors being perpetrated on his people. “I am worried that my people will not even exist in 20 years time”, he says. “We need the world’s help.”
Top
