Ten years ago a false rumour that US President Bill Clinton had formally recognised West Papua’s independence resulted in joyous celebrations sweeping the Papuan island of Biak – hymns of gratitude and relief rand out from churches and the banned ‘morning star’ flag was raised proudly.

The response from the Indonesian security forces was immediate and brutal. Unknown numbers of people, including the very young and very old, were murdered. Many more were beaten, raped and tortured. Around 200 people were forced at gunpoint on to Indonesian naval vessels and taken out to sea. In the days that followed mutilated bodies begun washing up on the island’s shores.

The official explanation from the Indonesia authorities was that these were the victims of the Aitape tsnuami in Papua New Guinea - this despite the tsnuami being 1,000 kilometres away and taking place 11 days after the massacre.

Please join us to commemorate the tragedy of the Biak Massacre and help us call on the Australian Government to stand up for human rights in West Papua.