Sadness mars Papua celebration

R.K. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

Unlike last year, the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) celebrated Papua's 40th anniversary of independence in a modest but solemn ceremony in memory of its leader Dortheys Hiyo Eluway, pledging that it would continue to fight for the Papuan people's political aspirations.

The ceremony held at the residence of the late Dortheys Hiyo Eluway in Sentani, 42 kilometers north of the city, was highlighted by a religious service and the laying of a commemorative stone at Theys' grave.

Some 1,000 Papuan people joined the ceremony which went peacefully without any intervention either from the local police or military. Several policemen were stationed in the area in case of any disturbance.

Last year, PDP celebrated the anniversary of the declaration of Papuan independence (as proclaimed by PDP) with a grand congress which was attended by thousands of Papuan people from remote areas across the province. The event was heavily guarded by local security authorities.

The congress that gained political and financial backing from the central government under former president Abdurrahman Wahid, recommended a thorough investigation into human rights abuses during the past military operations and national and international dialog to correct the historical account of the province's integration with Indonesia in 1963. The congress turned violent resulting in the prosecution of Theys and other PDP executives.

Tom Beanal, deputy chairman of PDP, said in his address that the ceremony was held to commemorate their leader who was found dead on Nov. 11, 2001 as well as Papua's 40th anniversary of independence.

Police are still investigating Theys' murder.

Tom pledged that PDP would continue to fight for Papua's independence even at the cost of their own lives.