We are a minority, but we will not lose!

All the Papuans I know want independence from Indonesia, which has colonized their land for six decades.

Although hundreds of thousands of Papuans have reportedly been killed by Indonesian security forces since 1963, the resistance of the Papuan people has never ceased. For many Papuans, 2024 is decisive for their struggle. 

Freedom, the ultimate dream of Papuans 

On the one hand, more than ever, they are determined and their movements are getting organized. This can be seen in the increasing number of Indonesian soldiers killed in conflict areas and the rise of civil resistance in many Papuan cities. 

But on the other hand, indigenous Papuans are marginalized like never before. They represent only about 40% of Indonesian-occupied Papua's population or less than 1% of Indonesia's total population. 

Under conditions of numerical inferiority, many are asking how can Papuans break free from Indonesia's grip? Indeed, the struggle is full of risks but the dream of change outweighs any fears. 

Spirit determines victory 

"We are a minority in numbers, but that does not mean we will lose," said Chris Dogopia, head of the central action committee of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), based in Jayapura. For Chris, Papua like a fire in the chaff, needing only a little friction to explode. The current situation of widespread discontent, endemic human rights violations and economic deterioration indicates that a strong popular movement is imminent. 

The Jakarta regime knows that its existence is threatened in Papua: 47,000 soldiers were deployed there, more than anywhere else. It is possible that the coming Papuan uprising, bigger than the one in 2019, will also bring together people from Indonesian migrant communities, especially those who were born or who have lived in Papua for a long time. 

The activism of some Indonesians in solidarity with Papuans is increasingly evident, especially on social media. Such is the case of Muhammad Iqbal, arrested last week by Indonesian police for posting a video protesting the arbitrary behavior of his compatriots towards indigenous Papuans following the riots in Jayapura on December 28. This excessive repression from the Indonesian Police could be interpreted as an admission of their powerlessness.

United for Papuan liberation

Just as there are many roads to Rome, there are also many ways to achieve Papuan independence. The question now is which is the best way to take? The many revolutions throughout history have shown that ordinary people can overthrow tyranny. However, if only the successful ones are known, many others unmentioned have failed. In response to this, an anonymous Papuan activist commented:

"Since the establishment of the ULMWP in 2014, efforts have been made to consolidate all factions and forces to maximise the effectiveness of Papuan struggle. We have learnt a lot from various people's movements around the world. Many failed because they relied too much on one or two leaders, and these movements automatically collapsed when their leaders were eliminated. That is why within the ULMWP, there is no cult of the leader. We want to create a peaceful society. Therefore, we refuse to be confined to a rigid ideology. Our struggle is inclusive and open. For us, being 'One people one soul' is the most important".

Free Papua is a certainty 

Despite Indonesia's cruel oppression in Papua, human rights militant Peter Gary Tatchell believes that Papuans will eventually achieve independence: 

"Adolf Hitler promised a third reich lasting a thousand years, but it only lasted twelve years. Indonesia has been occupying Papua for more than twelve years, but the day of reckoning will come and Papua will be free. An independent Papua is a certainty because no tyranny lasts forever!".