The ULMWP Constitution Preamble
The title of this note is fully taken from the Constitution of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, that is commonly referred to as ULMWP Constitution 2020 or UUDS 2020 in Malay version.
Perjuangan bangsa Papua bersama segenap makhluk di Tanah Papua untuk hidup bebas, merdeka, berdaulat, damai dan harmonis di atas tanah leluhurnya adalah Hak Asasi yang tidak dapat diganggu-gugat.
Paragraph 2 of the Preamble of the Constitution. The translated version of the paragraph is as follows:
The Papuan struggle with all communities of beings in West Papua to be free, independent, sovereign, peaceful and harmonious on ancestral land is a Fundamental Inalienable Right
This is called the purpose of declaring independence or promoting the independence of West Papua as a free and independent state. In other words, when anyone asked any Papuan why Free West Papua, then this is the comprehensive and right answer to be presented. (Please also read constitutions of countries in the world, there they also have stated the purpose of declaring their country’s independence)
Further Note
West Papua, also known as the land of Papua, has long been a region marred by conflict and unrest, stemming from the long-standing struggle of the indigenous Papuan people for their fundamental rights to seek freedom, independence, sovereignty, peace, and harmony on their ancestral land. The Papuans have faced discrimination, human rights abuses, and marginalization at the hands of the Indonesian government, which has suppressed their aspirations for self-determination and autonomy. It is imperative that the international community recognize and support the legitimate rights of the Papuan people to determine their own future and strive for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in West Papua.
The history of West Papua is marked by colonization, oppression, and exploitation by foreign powers, beginning with Dutch colonial rule in the 19th century. After a brief period of independence following the dissolution of the Dutch East Indies in 1949, the territory of West Papua was annexed by Indonesia in 1962, a move that was fiercely opposed by the Papuan people who desired to establish their own independent nation. The 1969 Act of Free Choice, a UN-sponsored referendum in which only a select group of handpicked individuals were allowed to vote, further cemented West Papua’s incorporation into Indonesia, a decision that has been widely viewed as fraudulent and illegitimate.
Since then, the Papuan people have been subjected to decades of military occupation, human rights violations, environmental degradation, and cultural suppression at the hands of the Indonesian government. The Indonesian military and security forces have been accused of committing atrocities against the Papuan people, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and intimidation, in an effort to suppress dissent and quell the independence movement in West Papua. The Papuan people have also been deprived of their land rights, traditional livelihoods, and cultural heritage, as multinational corporations exploit the region’s rich natural resources without regard for the indigenous population.
Despite these challenges, the Papuan people have continued to resist against the Indonesian government’s oppressive policies and demand their right to self-determination and autonomy. The Papuan independence movement, led by organizations such as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and the Free Papua Movement (OPM), has sought to raise awareness about the plight of the Papuan people and garner international support for their cause. The Papuan people have also called for a peaceful dialogue with the Indonesian government to address their grievances and seek a just and lasting solution to the conflict in West Papua.
In light of these historical injustices and ongoing human rights violations, it is imperative that the international community stand in solidarity with the Papuan people and support their legitimate aspirations for freedom, independence, sovereignty, peace, and harmony on their ancestral land. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination, autonomy, and protection of their lands, resources, and cultures, principles that should be upheld in the case of the Papuan people. The international community must pressure the Indonesian government to respect the rights of the Papuan people, end the militarization of West Papua, release political prisoners, and engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Papuan leadership to address the root causes of the conflict and pursue a peaceful resolution.
In conclusion, the Papuan people have the inherent right to seek freedom, independence, sovereignty, peace, and harmony on their ancestral land, and it is incumbent upon the international community to support their legitimate aspirations and advocate for their fundamental rights. The Papuan struggle for self-determination is a just cause that deserves recognition, respect, and solidarity from the global community. It is time for the world to listen to the voices of the Papuan people, stand up against injustice, and work towards a peaceful and sustainable future for West Papua. Let us join hands in solidarity with the Papuan community and strive for a world where all peoples are able to live in dignity, freedom, and peace.
