July 24 1998

Establishment of FORERI - Forum for Reconciliation of Irian Society - by Papuan NGOs, leadership of churches, traditional councils and women's and student groups in West Papua. The key issues for FORERI are reconciliation, dialogue, non-violence, and analysis as important elements in promoting and protecting human rights and as a means of accommodating the aspirations of the people.

December 1 1998

In the freer political atmosphere under transitional President Habibie, the people planned to commemorate the West Papuan national day. On 1 December 1961 the flag, national anthem and name of a future independent West Papua were proclaimed. However, all demonstrations were forbidden and in many places the military terrorise and intimidate the people.

February 26 1999

One hundred West Papuan representatives (Team 100) meet with transitional President Habibie in Jakarta - facilitated by FORERI - in which they demand independence from Indonesia. Habibie's response is to say that they 'should ponder this issue well'.

April 1999

Throughout West Papua people demonstrate against the Indonesian announcement that the region would be split into three provinces. The police forbid posts (poskos) where people had come together to discuss the outcome of the meeting between Team 100 and Habibie. In some places forced closures lead to tensions and violence.

December 1 1999

Throughout West Papua a reported 800,000 people attend ceremonies to commemorate West Papua's National Day. In most places, the Indonesian authorities allow this peaceful expression of Papuan aspirations to go ahead. But in Timika, the military intervene with firearms, resulting in many casualties among the flag-raisers.

December 31 1999

President Wahid visits West Papua and has a meeting with Papuan leaders including members of Team 100. The wish for independence is reiterated by the Papuan delegation. Wahid announces that Irian Jaya will be renamed Papua.

February 23-26 2000

In Sentani, 300 delegates participate in a Musyawarah Besar Papua - Grand Papua Consultation. The political communiqué states: 'In view of the unlawful transfer of sovereignty of the people of West Papua by the Netherlands via the intermediary of the United Nations to Indonesia, the people of West Papua categorically reject the results of the 'Act of Free Choice' (Pepera) which was conducted by the government of Indonesia on the basis of the New York Agreement of 15 August 1962.'

May/June 2000

Papua Congress, part-funded by President Wahid, held in Jayapura. Over 20,000 people attend. Papuan Council (501 members) and Papua Presidium (31 members) instated.

September 2000

Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Nauru call for West Papuan self-determination.


October 2000

First International Solidarity Meeting on West Papua, held in the Netherlands

November 2000

New Zealand offers to broker talks between Indonesia and West Papua.

November/December 2000

Five Papua Presidium leaders jailed - Theys Eluay (chairman), Thaha Al Hamid (Secretary-General), Rev. Awom, Don Flassy and John Mambor. Dialogue with Jakarta government stalls; human rights abuses by Indonesian military and police increase. Increasing Indonesian military build-up. Swiss journalist Oswald Iten witnesses brutality and torture against Papuans whilst himself imprisoned for "illegal journalistic activity".

June-July 2001

Reports emerge that thousands have been fleeing the Wasior area of West Papua, that kidnappings and torture are widespread, that houses have been torched. Reports of extra-judicial killings, rape, and injuries by Indonesian forces also emerge. Daan Yairus Ramar (51), head of the Council of the Tribal Wondama Community, dies in police custody in Manokwari on July 20.

October 2001

Leaked "Top Secret" Indonesian intelligence document reveals counter-independence stategy put into operation in June 2000, following successful Papua Congress. The plan includes both clandestine and open activities. The implementation of autonomy and financial incentives would be part of the counter-independence strategy.

November 2001

Former United Nations Under-Secretary General Chakravarthy Narasimhan, who was centrally involved in the fraudulent transfer of West Papua to Indonesian military control, admits on the record: "It was a whitewash". A significant breakthrough in the campaign for self-determination in West Papua.

November 11 2001

Papua Presdium (PDP) Chairperson, Theys Eluay, found strangled near Jayapura. Indonesian special forces Kopassus implicated in assassination. International calls for independent inquiry without military involvement.

January 2002

"Special Autonomy" legislation introduced by Indonesian government. Indonesian government to refer to territory as "Papua" from January 1st. The legislation reported to also include provisions for local administration to control up to 80% of tax revenue from wood, oil, gas, metals; for territory to have its own distinct flag; and for territory to have its own anthem.

January 2003

Indonesia President Megawati Sukarnoputri issues Presidential Decree to divide Papua into 3 "provinces". Widespread opposition in West Papua. Questions raised in Indonesia about legality of decree.