20:00 Soli-Küfa
21:00 Info-Event: Not a great deal of news reaches the outside world from West Papua, and when it does, it tends to focus on that conflict, either from a political or human rights perspective. However, the indigenous Papuans have to live in this violent reality, economically and socially marginalised as ever. As mining, logging and plantation companies move in, local people are losing control over the forests they depend on for their livelihood - which also have global ecological importance as the largest piece of tropical forest outside the Amazon and Congo Basins. Stories of how communities try to defend their land in this climate of fear are accompanied by short videos made by local Papuan activists.We want to raise awareness of what is going on in West Papua, as part of an attempt to build up a more solid base for solidarity with struggles in the wider region of South East Asia. Information and discussion is part of this aim, because if people are more aware of the context, they are more likely to respond when there is an urgent call for solidarity.
This info tour will look at some of the context behind these local struggles. It will be presented by people who have spent time in West Papua and follow the situation there. Stories of how communities try to defend their land in this climate of fear are accompanied by short videos made by local Papuan activists and photos to give a picture. The tour is a part of an attempt to build up a more solid base for solidarity with struggles in the wider region of South East Asia.