On the 40th anniversary of the Act of Free Choice, a shocking new documentary about the situation in West Papua will premier at the UK’s prestigious Green Man Festival next week.

Filmed undercover without the knowledge or authority of the Indonesian authorities, ‘Forgotten Bird of Paradise’ provides a rare and deeply moving insight into the West Papuan peoples ongoing struggle for freedom from Indonesian rule.

The documentary features interviews with human rights victims of the Indonesian regime, startling footage of OPM rebel fighters, and a moving interview recorded in secret with the Amnesty International recognised ‘prisoner of conscience’ Yusak Pakage. Currently serving a 10 year prison sentence for peacefully raising the West Papuan flag, the interview was recorded in hospital where he was receiving treatment for torture suffered at the hands of prison guards at Abepura Prison. There is also footage and interviews from the launch of International Parliamentarians for West Papua, revealing the developments being made on the international scene towards the goal of West Papuan self-determination.

Speaking on the eve of the film’s launch, exiled independence leader Benny Wenda gave this statement:
“For over 45 years the Indonesian Government have attempted to silence my people. They have raped, tortured, intimidated, and committed genocide against my people and our land. But they will never destroy our Melanesian spirit. ‘Forgotten Bird of Paradise’ is our cry to the outside world that we need their help now. Our cries are also directed at the United Nations to intervene now to help stop the bloodshed, and re-run the Act of Free Choice so that we can finally choose our own future. Our struggle will never stop until we are given that right”

More information on the documentary including background information and photos can be found at www.forgottenbirdofparadise.net

It’s been over 40 years since the Indonesian occupation of West Papua began. Since then over 400,000 Papuans have been killed, women and children raped, independence activists tortured, and the land pillaged for its natural resources.

Journalists and human rights observers are banned from entering West Papua by the Indonesian authorities. They don’t want the outside world knowing the atrocities they are committing there. Just like in East Timor where the Indonesian military slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

Tonight the BBC broadcast exclusive footage smuggled out of West Papua, including interviews with rebel leader Goliath Tabuni, political prisoner Yusak Pakage, and human rights victims. You can watch the full report through the BBC news website by clicking here

The well documented torture of West Papuan political prisoners by Indonesia is nothing short of barbaric. For over three days at the nortious Abepura Prison in Jayapura, the men in the photo below were refused water and food, and subjected to torture levels that would not be out of place at Guantanamo Bay. The only ‘crime’ these men have committed is to peacefully call for West Papuan independence. It’s a plea echoed throughout the country where every man, woman and child wants freedom. And who are we to deny them this? It’s a right that every colonial person is entitled to under the United Nations charter, and one we must stand by and implement in West Papua.
A lack of early international intervention in the East Timor independence struggle ten years ago resulted in a genocide in which Indonesia slaughtered over half a million people. It’s time for our governments to act now to prevent Indonesia doing the same again in West Papua. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with these people now, otherwise the consequences are unthinkable.