http://greensmps.org.au/content/motions/marking-54th-anniverary-raising-morning-star-flag
Marking the 54th Anniverary of the raising of the Morning Star flag
The Australian Greens have moved a Senate motion marking the 54th Anniverary of the raising of the Morning Star flag - a day celebrated as the unofficial day of Papuan Independence.
Motion Text:
960: Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Di Natale): To move-That the Senate-
(a) notes that 1 December 2015 marks the 54th anniversary of the raising of the Morning Star flag by the people of West Papua, a day celebrated as the unofficial day of Papuan independence;
(b) celebrates the long overdue release in November 2015 of West Papuan leader and political prisoner, Mr Filep Karma, who was convicted after leading a peaceful rally that included the raising of the Morning Star flag on 1 December 2004;
(c) calls on the Australian Government to express to the Indonesian Government the need for:
- immediate amnesty and release of all remaining West Papuan political prisoners,
- free media access to be specified in a presidential directive that makes clear obligations of government ministries and security forces to ensure unobstructed foreign media access to West Papua, and
- free access for foreign researchers to West Papua; and
(d) affirms the right of the West Papuan people to self-determination, peace and security.
The Australian Greens have consulted widely with West Papuan advocacy groups, and deliberately support self-determination. Ultimately, independence has to be a decision of the West Papuan community, and it would be inappropriate for anyone to pre-empt the outcome of a free and fair vote. If the West Papuan community voted for an independent state, we would support them in that decision.
