SPEAK TO CANDIDATES ABOUT:
* WEST PAPUAN INDEPENDENCE
* STOPPING MILITARY AID TO THE TNI
* BRINGING TNI WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE
* DEMANDING INDONESIA COMPENSATE THE VICTIMS OF THE TNI
Dear Friends in solidarity with West Papua, Timor-Leste and progressive Indonesians
As you would be aware, the Freedom Flotilla to West Papua has left Cairns and is moving towards West Papua. Sadly, this courageous venture is not receiving much attention from the main stream Australian media.
However, Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, let his attitude be known when he was asked about the Flotilla. His comment went something like this: the Australian Government is being respectful of Indonesia’s territorial integrity. This line is very familiar to those of us who have followed the disgraceful policies of Australian governments during the illegal Indonesian military (TNI) occupation of East Timor. These Indonesian apologists never talked about the territorial integrity of East Timor or of West Papua and they try to tell us that Indonesia is now a democracy!.
In addition, they always tried to underscore the gravity of the genocide and gross human rights abuses that were being committed by the TNI there as they continued to provide military aid to and cooperate with this terrorist organisation.
AETFA sent a message of solidarity to the Flotilla a short time ago and, as a result, I have had the opportunity to talk and share information with Reuben Blake who is doing the media work for the venture.
Below is an email from Reuben which contains a number of websites about the Flotilla. Please spread this news around to family, friends and fellow activists and urge them to raise this matter with candidates in the forthcoming election. Now is the time to tell politicians that Australians want political leaders that genuinely care about human rights and don’t cop out the way so many have done in relation to West Papua, East Timor and Indonesia.
Also below, is a notice about a meeting that the Flotilla organised in Melbourne. One of the speakers was Shirley Shackleton, a well-known Timor solidarity activist (and widow of Greg Shackleton, one of the Balibo 5 media workers murdered by the TNI in Balibo, East Timor, October 1975).
Shirley was also a passenger on the Missao Paz em Timor in March 1992.
At the 2013 elections, vote 1 for human rights and encourage, family members, friends and fellow workers to do the same.
In solidarity
Andy
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
Information Officer: Australia East Timor Friendship Association (SA) Inc
Member: Australia West Papua Association SA
Phone: 08 83710480
0457 827 014
Email: andyalcock
Subject:
Solidarity with Peace Mission to Timor
In
response to a message of solidarity from Peace Mission to Timor crew member Andy Alcock
http://freedomflotillawestpapua.org/2013/08/24/message-of-support-from-peace-mission-to-timor-crew-member/
The crew of the Freedom Flotilla to West Papua, a journey by sea to Indonesian – occupied West Papua, send a message of respect to those who have inspired us by leading the way in creative acts of resistance on the oceans.
http://freedomflotillawestpapua.org/2013/08/24/freedom-flotillas-from-timor-to-gaza-to-west-papua/
Please share to your networks and continue building awareness of human rights
abuses as the crew sails towards the border of West Papua.
In Solidarity,
The Freedom Flotilla to West Papua
www.freedomflotillawestpapua.org
twitter: @flotilla2wp
www.facebook.com/FreedomFlotillaToWestPapua