The journey of the Melanesian Delegation started in West Papua and arrived in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 2023. It took approximately 6 hours from the city of Jayapura to Jakarta, Indonesia where the United States embassy is located. After a brief waiting period, the US embassy finally granted their visas to travel to Washington, D.C.
The group is led by Dr. Septinus Paiki. He is one of the political leaders of West Papua. A scholar in his own right, and a man not afraid to speak his mind. He is also a former political prisoner who dared to stand up to dictator Suharto along side late Dr. Thom Wainggai. He was there when they declared West Papua – the Independent Republic of West Melanesia, in 1988. For his staunched support for the declaration of Independence, Paiki was sentenced to two decades in prison. Today, he’s a free man.
Herman Wainggai. Former political prisoner, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and leader of the nonviolent struggle in West Papua, Melanesia. Mr. Wainggai is a Visiting Scholar at George Mason University (GMU), a founder of the West Papua Human Rights Center (WPHRC), and the representative of the West Papua Melanesian people to the United Nations and the United States government. He continues his lobbying work at the US Congress and the United Nations on behalf of his people, the Republic of West Melanesia.
Septinus Paiki. Mr. Paiki is a Melanesian political leader who lives in the Melanesian land of West Papua. He is a former political prisoner and a pioneer. He was a witness to the Proclamation of the Independence of West Melanesia on December 14, 1988, of which he was imprisoned by Suharto regime for 20 years.
Mr. Pilipus Robaha. Chairman of the National Solidarity of Melanesian West Papuan Youth and Students (SONAMAPA), and a non-violent leader for the liberation struggle of the Melanesian nation of West Papua. A brave and genuine leader who has inspired so many young people to the freedom cause of West Papua’s indigenous people.
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The chairman of the Free West Papua Melanesian Youth Solidarity (SONAMAPA), Philipus Robaha, accompanied Mr. Paiki. Mr. Robaha a bold, nonviolent advocate for the liberation of our Melanesian country of West Papua.
The presence of our West Papua Melanesian Delegation here in Washington, DC, is part of our Washington Solution effort to bring awareness to the world about the issue of our struggle for independence. They will present our document to the US Congress, the United States government, and some UN Member states in New York City.
The ‘Washington Solution’ is our official argument for independence or self-determination of West Papua, which is the right of all colonized people including the Melanesian Nation of West Papua. This document is grounded in the legal arguments against Indonesian occupation of our homeland made by Dr. Thom Wainggai SH, MPA – the defacto founder of the ‘Nonviolent Movement’ in West Papua in the 1980s. This was his answer to the Indonesian government’s charge of subversion against him at his trial at the Indonesian Judiciary Building Kali Açaí Abepura, 1988/1989. This is our argument today.
While in Washington, DC, the delegation will meet with a number of members of the US Congress and visit NYC to present this document to some UN member states and to bring to the attention of the international community why we are seeking their support.
Our West Papua Melanesian delegation will return home after their mission is accomplished and on the day specified on their visas.
*Washington Solution Invitational is coordinated by the West Papua Human Rights Center here in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with George Mason University.