Context Matters: The Unfinished Struggle Of The West Papuan People
An honest examination of the conflict in West Papua requires an understanding of the contextual claims asserted by both it and Indonesia.
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July 11, 2026
Indonesia, West Papua and the World’s Largest Deforestation Project
The destruction of West Papua's farmland and forests represents an ecological and cultural disaster, compounding the atrocious human rights record on the island.
June 10, 2026
The Dance of Bliss and the Silence of West Papua
On cosmic harmony, extraction, and the seventy-three dead.
May 3, 2026
They Bear Witness, by Dadang Christanto. Exhibit at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Never a number
On the ground floor of the Art Gallery of NSW I saw one of the most moving pieces of sculpture I can remember visiting. It did not surpass the sublime…
May 20, 2013
Arma virumque cano
The more classically minded among Blak and Black’s readers will recognise the title of this post as being the opening words of Virgil’s epic poem The Aeneid, “… sing of arms and…
March 17, 2012
Accountability / ACT Government / Asia-Pacific / Corporate profit / Corporate responsibility / Corruption / Discrimination/Racism / Ernst & Young / Government / Human Rights / Indonesia / Mining / Racism / West Papua
Copper and gold: the blood diamonds of West Papua
Ernst & Young has its fingers in projects that disadvantage Indigenous people across the world, including in West Papua.
February 22, 2012
Accountability / Arc of instability / Asia-Pacific / Corporate profit / Corruption / Democracy / Discrimination/Racism / Equality / Human Rights / Indonesia / International Law / Justice / Neo-Colonialism / Pacific Neighbours / Racism / Rule of Law / Shared humanity / West Papua
The Lombok Treaty: a win for self interest over justice
Australia placed its own interests before those of West Papuans, favouring its relationship with Indonesia over those of an occupied people.
December 19, 2011
Racism is killing me, by Jessica Sabogal
Arc of instability / Asia-Pacific / Australian Federal Police / Commonwealth Government / Corporate profit / Corporate responsibility / Corruption / Discrimination/Racism / Equality of opportunity / Government / Human Rights / Hypocrisy / Indonesia / Law Enforcement / Rule of Law / Shared humanity
Indigeneity: the unifying factor
Justice for Indigenous people not within our own borders, but in the international forum, standing in unity with those suffer similarly.
April 6, 2011