Jailed by Indonesia but still campaigning for freedom

By. Len Garae 

 

Otto Odokwame, Benny Wenda, Andi Amiseba in PNG

Benny Wenda had tears in his eyes when he sang a song he composed while his hands were tied behind his back for two weeks in a dark, stinking, notorious Indonesian jail.

It was a song of freedom.

Wenda did not beat about the bush when he stated that Indonesia should have asked for permission from West Papua to request Observer Status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

This dedicated highlander, tribal leader and former political prisoner escapee, is a global campaigner for the Freedom of the people of West Papua from Indonesian occupation.

The London-based tribal leader made the statement at a press conference in the Chief’s Nakamal yesterday. Wenda was asked his view of the answer to a question the writer of his article had put to the Indonesian Ambassador to Vanuatu, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema at a press conference two weeks ago.

The question was how he felt about the fact that his country has been granted Observer Status at MSG while West Papua is seeking full membership of the Melanesian Organisation.

While the Indonesian Ambassador had replied that West Papua should have asked permission from Indonesia to seek full membership of MSG, Wenda said West Papua is a natural part of Melanesia and the most logical approach for Indonesia to take should have been for Jakarta to ask permission from West Papua to seek Observer Status at MSG.

His prompt answer triggered instant smiles on faces within the audience and hand clapping during the press conference.

Wenda hails from the Dani Tribe in the Highlands of West Papua and grew up in his village. But he explained, “My village was bombed by the Indonesian military when I was a child and many members of my family were killed. Later I began to campaign for a Free West Papua. For the ‘crime’ of helping to lead a peaceful movement for independence, I was arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Indonesian soldiers. They threatened to kill me, but I escaped to the UK.

“Many of my friends and family back in West Papua have been killed, raped or tortured. Life is hard for them. All we are asking for is the freedom that you enjoy every day – the freedom to speak your mind, to choose your government and to live without fear of persecution. Please hear my peoples’ cry for help”.

Wenda said the people of West Papua hold Vanuatu in high esteem because to them, Vanuatu is their beacon of hope in their 50 years of suffering under the yoke of a cruel, inhumane Indonesian military.

While a number of groups have been formed beside OPM in the struggle for freedom in West Papua and there are internal differences, Wenda said the fact remains and that is that they all operate under the one Morning Star Flag and they are all for the Freedom of West Papua.

He said his tribe is the biggest tribe in West Papua with a total population of approximately 500, 000 people. 

While acknowledging the committed roles played by his Vanuatu-based colleagues Andy Ayamiseba and Dr John Ondawame in the struggle for the freedom of their people and country, he said his people from the highlands are the most energetic lot when it comes to standing up for their rights to be a Free People.