A candlelit vigil for the French Journalists arrested in West Papua was held outside the Indonesian consulate in Sydney this afternoon, 23 September. Anthony Craig of the DLP organised the rally.
Joe Collins of AWPA who was also at the rally said,
“Normally journalists arrested in West Papua for visa irregularities are deported and the arrest of the French journalists (who could face up to five years in jail) takes the intimidation of journalists to a new level. This is obviously a challenge to the incoming president, Jokowi by the security forces who want to protect their interests in West Papua and want to see how he will react to the situation. It should be remembered that Jokowi has recently visited West Papua twice, and in the lead up to the election promised to open West Papua to foreign journalists and non-government organisations if he won the election. “Why not? It’s safe here in Papua,” he was quoted as saying. “There’s nothing to hide. Not only should the Journalists be released but also all political prisoners in West Papua”.
More here:
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/photos-of-rally-for-french-journalists.html
Jo Collins and Anne Noonan, Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
