Raising the West Papuan Morning Star flag (Media release)

Council raised the West Papuan Morning Star flag on Friday, paying tribute to the West Papuan people, for their long commitment to freedom and their right to build a safe, free and independent West Papua.

1 December 1961 was to be West Papua’s Independence Day, however international actors such as Indonesia, the USA and the United Nations intervened and stopped this from taking place.

It was on this day that the West Papuan Morning Star flag was raised and it therefore continues to be an important day for West Papuans all over the world in their continuing struggle for independence.

Merri-bek Councillor Mark Riley spoke at the flag raising.

“The Morning Star flag is a symbol of freedom and flying it is an act of acknowledgement and recognition of the hardship of the West Papuan people who have endured 55 years of human rights abuses and environmental destruction under Indonesian rule,” said Cr Riley.

“Council is committed to advocating for human rights and addressing issues of discrimination and marginalisation at a local, regional, national and international level.”

Read Council’s Human Rights Policy.

Monday 4 November 2017