Indonesia (West Papua)
Recent Conflict
West Papua was working toward independence from the Dutch in 1960, when Indonesia began to make claims to the region. Western powers, such as the United States and Australia, supported the transfer of control of West Papua to Indonesia, because they did not want Indonesia to turn to the Soviet Union for support.
In 1963, it was determined that West Papua would be part of Indonesia until a vote could be conducted regarding independence. An estimated 100,000 people were killed by government sponsored violence in the region before the vote occurred. When the time for this vote came, the Indonesians threatened the Papuans by arresting indigenous leaders and using military force, and West Papua remained part of Indonesia.
The Indonesian government instituted a migration policy of Indonesians to West Papua during the 1980s and 90s in order to increase its control over the region. A disputed ‘Special Autonomy Law’ enacted in 2001 which falls short of full independence for West Papua, has failed to create consensus among the population or improve basic education and health services or employment opportunities. In 2006, 43 refugees from West Papua landed on the Australian shore, accusing the Indonesian government of violence and discrimination against West Papuans. They were granted temporary protection by the Australian government, causing the Indonesian ambassador to break ties and leave Australia. The region remains politically divided and unstable, with many West Papuans still hoping for independence.
