Papua police ban rallies to mark New York Agreement

JAYAPURA CITY - Police in Indonesia’s Papua region have reportedly banned a number of protests and cultural parades planned to protest against the signing of the 1962 New York Agreement.

The deal between the UN, the Netherlands and Indonesia was a precursor to the Act Of Free Choice seven years later which led to Jakarta imposing its rule on the former Dutch colony.

The protests by the pro-independence West Papua National Committee have been planned throughout Papua in Wamena, Yahukimo, Nabire, Biak, Sorong, Manokwari and Timika.

The rallies are also to show support for the opening of the Free West Papua Campaign office in the Netherlands.[RNZI]