The Republic of West Papua (Indonesian: Republik Papua Barat) is a proposed state consisting of the Western New Guinea region. The region has been administered by Indonesia since 1 May 1963 under several names in the following order: West Irian, Irian Jaya, and Papua.

Is West Papua a colony of Indonesia?

The Republic of West Papua (Indonesian: Republik Papua Barat) is a proposed state consisting of the Western New Guinea region. The region has been administered by Indonesia since 1 May 1963 under several names in the following order: West Irian, Irian Jaya, and Papua.

When was West Papua given to Indonesia?

1962
A 13-year dispute with the Netherlands over whether the former Dutch colony would become an independent state or an Indonesian province culminated in 1962 in its occupation and annexation by force by he Indonesian military and the denial of the right of self-determination to its people.

What race are West Papuans?

West Papua (province)

West Papua Papua Barat
• Total 1,134,068
• Density 11/km2 (29/sq mi)
Demographics
• Ethnic groups 51% West Papuan tribes (including Arfak, Biak-Numfor, Ayfat, Baham, Yapen, Mooi, Tehit, Wandamen, Irahutu, Kokoda, Inanwatan) 15% Javanese 5.3% Buginese 4.4% Ambonese 4.1% Butonese 2.3% Makassar 17.9% other

How many West Papuans have been killed by Indonesian?

Since the Suharto dictatorship of Indonesia annexed West Papua in a 1969 U.N. referendum – largely viewed as a land grab – an estimated 500,000 West Papuans have been killed fighting to achieve independence.

What is the difference between Papua and West Papua?

For one, West Papua isn’t a country in its own right, it’s a province of Indonesia. While local government certainly has a say in what goes on, they are ultimately controlled by Indonesia and lack their own governmental system. Meanwhile Papua New Guinea has its own government, legislative system and Prime Minister.

What race is West Papua?

native Papuan people
Ethnic groups 51.5% of the total population in West Papua are the native Papuan people. They are several tribes in West Papua.

Is West Papua poor?

Poverty Rates Papua and West Papua are the poorest regions of Indonesia. These two provinces are incredibly rich in mineral and timber resources. Despite billions of dollars of resource extraction a year, these resources have not helped the local populace as more than a quarter of the population is in poverty.

What is Papua Merdeka?

Giving a voice to the people of West Papua who are being brutally oppressed under the colonial rule of Indonesia Free West Papua! Papua Merdeka! One People. One Soul

Is West Papua a part of Indonesia?

For the people of West Papua, however, Indonesia is an occupying power. Since the area is so little known, most non-Papuans are unaware that West Papuans have been struggling for independ- ence there ever since the mid-1960s, led by the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM–Free Papua Movement).

What is the Free Papua Movement?

The Free Papua Movement ( Indonesian: Organisasi Papua Merdeka – OPM) is an umbrella term for the independence movement established during 1965 in the West Papuan or West New Guinea territory which is currently being administrated by Indonesia as the provinces of Papua and West Papua, also formerly known as Papua, Irian Jaya and West Irian.

What can you do to support Papua Merdeka?

Join in their cry for freedom “Papua Merdeka!”. There has been so much awareness and support raised for the cause from people holding Free West Papua benefit gigs and similar music events. You can set up your own benefit gig and let the power of music chant down oppression for a Free West Papua!