Network 2 to screen documentary on West Papua

national | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Tuesday April 20, 2004 12:59 by Mark - West Papua Action, Ireland wpaction at iol dot ie Phibsboro

A struggle for survival

Find out about how the people of West Papua are struggling to survive as a people and as a nation in the face of 40 years of brutal Indonesian military oppression.

Frame 2: Land of the Morning Star
RTE Network 2, Sunday 25 April, 8:00pm

"Land of the Morning Star" tells the compelling story of West Papua, which, like East Timor, was taken over by the Indonesian military, who have committed massive human rights abuses there. It is estimated that at least 100,000 people have been killed since the occupation.

The Morning Star is the banned flag of West Papua. West Papuans have been shot or imprisoned for flying it.

Through eyewitness accounts and rare archival film, this fascinating documentary paints a picture that is intimate in detail but epic in scope. It is a sweeping saga of colonial ambitions, cold war sellouts and fervent Indonesian nationalism, which highlights the role of players such as Australia and the UN at crucial points.

The film's director, Mark Worth, died in suspicious circumstances in West Papua a few days before the film's Australian premiere in February. This is the first time the documentary will have been shown in Europe. Don't miss it!