Journal Article

Raising the Morning Star: Six Months in the Developing Independence Movement in West Papua

Van Den Broek, Theo, Szalay, Alexandra

2001

Overview

This paper outlines events in the developing independence movement in West Papua (Indonesian Irian Jaya) during a brief and remarkable period of Jakarta-led reform. The raising of the people's Morning Star flag - previously an act of treason - was conditionally permitted by the Indonesian security forces on 1 December 1999. For Papuans, it marked the 38th anniversary of the initial steps towards self-determination while under Dutch rule, and expressed their right to social justice and the ideal of freedom from Indonesian control. Punitive action followed the flag-raisings in Timika and Nabire. While a nascent 'people's task force' (Satgas Papua) began to play a security role, the independence movement took shape with a large formal gathering (MUBES) in February 2000, which for the first time brought together Papuan leaders from all over the province, and in exile, to formulate a political strategy. The momentum of the MUBES continued in May-June 2000 with the Papuan People's Congress, which resolved to pursue the right to self-determination 'peacefully and democratically', while acknowledging the absence of viable international support.

• Publisher: Carfax Publishing, Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Catholic Church / Catholicism / Civil rights / Communities / Current Developments in the Pacific / Dutch colonial administration / Flags / Government / Habibie, B. J / Human rights violations / Independence / Indonesia: History / Indonesia: Politics and government / International cooperation / Irian Jaya / MUBES (Musyawarah Besar - Grand Gathering for Discussion) / Nationalism / Papuan People's Congress / Pastors / Police / Political protests / Provincial government / Roman Catholic Church / Social responsibility / Symbolism / Wahid, Abdurrahman