[ INDONESIA ] 1 NZ PILOT FOR INDEPENDENCE OF LAND BIGGER THAN GERMANY - Indonesia’s Papua Insurgency

The ongoing conflict in West #Papua has recently captured the world’s attention with the abduction of New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens. Mehrtens was taken hostage and accused of violating a no-fly zone in the region by the West Papua National Liberation Army. In a heart-wrenching video, Mehrtens pleads for an end to bombings in the area, which he claims are being carried out by the Indonesian Army. The situation in #WestPapua is complex, and the history of the region is equally intricate. At the time of #Indonesia’s independence, the Netherlands argued that West Papua was ethnically distinct from the rest of the country, leading to a referendum in 1969 to determine the region’s fate. The outcome, however, was disputed by many West Papuans, who feel that their right to self-determination has been denied. Despite the ongoing conflict and threats from separatist groups, the Indonesian government has vowed to continue its development plans for Papua. However, with politica