Lush backs Free West Papua campaign
Cosmetics brand Lush has put its support behind a campaign supporting the independence of West Papua.
The brand, which also supports gay marriage and animal rights group, is backing the Rize of the Morning Star campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the struggle of West Papua under Indonesian rule.
Since Indonesia’s occupation, raising the red white and blue flag, known as the Morning Star flag which has become a symbol of resistance, has been met with imprisonment.
Lush is calling on the release of Filep Karma, a freedom fighter serving 15 years in jail for raising the Morning Star at a rally in 20o4. The campaign is also calling on the release of all West Papuan political prisoners.
Thank you Lush for your support of human rights and honesty.
I also want to say something about an unfortunate event recently when some Dani men have ransomed a group in West Papua for some hours, I am not certain that the Dani action would not have been orchestrated by Indonesia for benefit of extending the military presence in the territory. The ultimate issue is that West Papua is a colony where Indonesia for 49 years has refused to allow self-determination as occurred in East Timor in 1999. For most of that 49 years, since September 1963 Indonesia has restricted media and other access to the territory, so again I thank Lush for its good conduct
🙂
Great to see a company like LUSH stand up for a down-trodden people. And Andrew Johnson with his posting above is right “on the money” with his assertion that Indonesia did orchestrate that West Papuan ‘kidnapping’ – just ask any knowledgable person in our Foreign Affairs Dept. what they think
.
“Leopards DON’T change their spots”; and Indonesia has for decades, under whichever administration is in power, thumbed its nose at the world when it comes to supposed “ownership” of the country. There have been countless reports documented of their continued terrorism and anarchy, with poor innocent villagers being mowed down wholesale. One day things may change; but I’m sad to say it probably won’t happen in my lifetime; or even those that follow me.
For those with a genuine interest in democracy, please just click on to Mr Johnson’s link in the above posting and read an account of the history of West Papua where in 1959 the Dutch set up a n area-wide ‘voter’s roll’ thus allowing elections for all and the opportunity to vote for different political ‘groups’ or parties. These became part of the Dutch-controlled administration with elections being first held in 1961. Alas; everything has gone downhill for them since.
And all of this being allowed to hapen direcltly offshore from us, wiothout either side of politics in Australia lifting a finger or even bothering to mention it, with the result that most Australians aren’t even aware of the true situation. And; I repeat, ON OUR DOORSTEP.
All I can hope to do is pray fpr them; that is about the only personal act left for any of us. But one other still exists; click on to Andrew’s link above and sign his petition to the Australian parliament
Great to see a company like LUSH stand up for a down-trodden people. And Andrew Johnson with his posting above is right “on the money” with his assertion that Indonesia did orchestrate that West Papuan ‘kidnapping’ – just ask any knowledgable person in our Foreign Affairs Dept. what they think
.
“Leopards DON’T change their spots”; and Indonesia has for decades, under whichever administration is in power, thumbed its nose at the world when it comes to supposed “ownership” of the country. There have been countless reports documented of their continued terrorism and anarchy, with poor innocent villagers being mowed down wholesale. One day things may change; but I’m sad to say it probably won’t happen in my lifetime; or even those that follow me.
For those with a genuine interest in democracy, please just click on to Mr Johnson’s link in the above posting and read an account of the history of West Papua where in 1959 the Dutch set up a n area-wide ‘voter’s roll’ thus allowing elections for all and the opportunity to vote for different political ‘groups’ or parties. These became part of the Dutch-controlled administration with elections being first held in 1961. Alas; everything has gone downhill for them since.
And all of this being allowed to happen directly offshore from us, without either side of politics in Australia lifting a finger or even bothering to mention it, with the result that most Australians aren’t even aware of the true situation. And; I repeat, ON OUR DOORSTEP.
All I can hope to do is pray fpr them; that is about the only personal act left for any of us. But one other still exists; click on to Andrew’s link above and sign his petition to the President and members of the United Nations Trustee Council
(You bloody gem; (I’m hoping and praying mate).