Papuans rally for independence from Indonesia

Hear our cries: Supporters of the independence of West Papua shouting slogans during a rally in Jakarta. — AP

HUNDREDS of Papuans held rallies across at least eight cities in Indonesia to renew calls for independence, as a separatist group declared it had established a provisional government in exile.

Yesterday’s rallies marked the anniversary of West Papua declaring independence from Dutch rule in 1961, which was followed by a contentious United Nations-sanctioned referendum in 1969 that brought Papua under Indonesian control.Among more than 100 students who marched in Jakarta, Papuan Roland Levy said the date remained significant decades on.