Quotes from Markus Haluk

On Papuans

"From an anthropological, sociological and cultural point of view, Papuans see themselves as human beings: whole and free human beings."

"Papuan wisdom encourages harmonious relationships with fellow human beings, ancestors, the universe and God. The Papuans' culture of peace and harmony is expressed through numerous rituals, songs and artistic creations."

"Indigenous Papuans are by no means primitive: Before the arrival of foreigners, Papuan tribes had practiced autonomous and democratic governance. Without an alphabet system, Papuans have been able to preserve their noble values and traditions for more than fifty thousand years."

On colonization in Papua

"Having endured colonization after colonization for over a century, Papuans are faced with the challenge of maintaining their identity. However, one thing is certain: Papuans will never be Dutch or Indonesian, or even European or Asian."

"When colonized by the Dutch, Papuans never begged for bread. When colonized by Indonesia, Papuans never beg for rice."

"On December 19, 1961, Indonesia, under President Sukarno, declared war on Papua. It was a strange irony, for in the 1930s, Papuans had welcomed Indonesian independence activists exiled by the Dutch. Among them was Mohammad Hatta, Sukarno's main collaborator."

"Indonesian and Papuan nationalism are two different things: Just as Indonesians see Papua's independence as a gift from the Dutch colonial government, Papuans also see Indonesia's independence as a legacy from the Japanese fascist regime that occupied Indonesia during World War II. However, unlike Papua's independence from the Netherlands which was achieved without bloodshed in 1961, Indonesia's independence from Japan in 1945 was paid for with the blood and tears of many innocent civilians."

"Looking at history, we Papuans realize that, along with Indonesia, we are dying and disappearing. We have always said this honestly to the Indonesians. The Papuan question must be discussed seriously and openly. The demands we are making of the Indonesian government today are essentially the same as those the Indonesian people made of the Dutch government in the last century."

"Indonesia writes one thing, says another and acts in yet another way. Take, for example, the Law on Special Autonomy, adopted in 2001: what is written is very different from its application, even contradictory."

"It's true that the Indonesian government still allows us to dream of independence. But when we started demonstrating, the police and army immediately stopped us."

On Betrayal by the West

"For the past seven years, Papuans have been demanding recognition for the sacrifices made by their elders during the Pacific War (1941-1945). There are almost no sources that explain the important role played by Papuans in assisting the Allies, particularly in West Papua and Papua New Guinea fronts."

"On behalf of the Allies, General Mac Arthur, in his speech at Ifar Gunung (Sentani), promised independence to the regions that had helped his troops win the battle against Japan. While most Indonesians chose to collaborate with Japan to achieve independence, Papuans selflessly supported the Allies from the start. Ironically, in May 1961, the United States encouraged the UN to facilitate Indonesia's occupation of Papua. For many Papuans, the MacArthur monument in Sentani is nothing more than a sign of the broken promises that America and its allies made to them."

"The Papuan people have made many sacrifices, but Western countries have never reciprocated."

On Indonesians

"From their earliest interactions with the outside world, Papuans understood that they were not part of Indonesia. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the men of the sultans of Tidore and Ternate often captured native Papuans to exploit them as slaves."

"In the eyes of many Papuans, including myself, all Indonesians are the same, whatever their ethnicity or religion: Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, once sent its best Christian officers to invade Papua. Commodore Yos Sudarso, killed during the Battle of the Arafura Sea in 1962, was a devout Catholic."

"When Papuan pastors were killed by Indonesian soldiers, no church leader in Indonesia dared to speak out. Similarly, when Papuan churches were destroyed, Indonesian Christians did not react. And when Papuan priests spoke out in defense of the indigenous people, Indonesian bishops harshly rebuked them."

"Indonesians are deceived by the image of their leaders: presented as humble and populist, they are in fact corrupt and feudal. When their falseness is revealed, they do not hesitate to use a vicious hand to remove their opponents."

Against Papuaphobia

"Ignorant people are always uncomfortable with what they don't understand. Instead of trying to learn, they take the shortcut of making prejudices based on their mentality."

"To me, the belief that a person is considered inferior because of their culture makes no sense at all. The real primitives are humans who look down on their fellow human beings, who treat them like half-humans."

"Papuans are not animals. They are creatures in the image of God, just like some (Indonesians) who like to preserve animal culture to stigmatize Papuans as monkeys. The fight against racism is a duty for everyone, regardless of gender, religion or ethnic group"

"Some people believe that there is no racism against Papuans in Indonesia. The proof: there are Papuans in the government, in the army, in the police, and so on. This is the same as justifying the colonial regime of the Dutch East Indies in the last century."

"Perhaps it is not worthy for you, who are said to be clean and civilized, to live side by side with us Papuans. But remember that we Blacks are perhaps more civilized in our attitude and conscience because we were born with love."

On Faith and Conscience 

"I want to be a shepherd not just for Catholics, but for all Papuans!" (Markus' words when leaving seminary)

"Jesus said in Matthew 25:40: 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' In other words, to do nothing for the oppressed is to choose the side of the oppressor."

"Love for the Church and the Fatherland are equally important. Both are about service, dedication, and salvation of humankind."

"I see that by 2055, when we celebrate 200 years of evangelization in Papua, Papuans will already be a minority and extinct in their own land. Thus, the struggle for an independent Papua is the only way to preserve the faith of Christ's chosen people in the land of Papua."

"We must act before it's too late. Dare to write and speak. Believe that God wants to use all of us to put an end to the Papuans' suffering. With God, we will win! The Lord Jesus will always be the commander, teacher and shepherd of the Papuans."

"I am more willing to die, than to see Papuans live under oppression!"

About the Papuan people's struggle for self-determination

"Today, if you ask a Papuan what he wants, he'll most likely answer that he wants independence. Indeed, Papuans have never asked for money or autonomy. All they want is respect for their human dignity!"

"For us Papuan activists, the fight for the right to independence is a matter of life and death. We must save the land and the people of Papua, whatever the cost! Papua is not an empty land. It does not belong to capitalists, military or political elites. Papua is the land of the Papuans. Its riches belong to the Melanesians."

"The fate of the Papuan people has been hanging in the balance for over a century. The time has come to take a stand and learn from our bitter past, filled with tears and blood. With colonial Indonesia, we Papuans will perish. With the capitalist West, our suffering will never cease. So what's the solution? We have no choice but to return to the Melanesian fold."

"We Papuans remain determined to promote a peaceful struggle, in accordance with the culture and constitution of the nation of West Papua, which declared its independence on December 1, 1961. We live the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Lord in whom we believe. Our political vision is a compassionate one, recognizing the dignity and worth of all people."

"As long as Papuans exist, efforts to claim independence for Papua will never cease!"

"One pillar of the nation may be broken today, but a thousand and one pillars will grow up to defend the land and nation of Papua."