Flotilla activists ignore warnings and prepare to enter Indonesia

The Freedom Flotilla on its way from Australia to the Indonesian province of Papua is expected to enter Indonesian waters today.

An Israeli army vessel (L) accompanies part of the flotilla following the raids (EPA)

Freedom Flotilla

The Freedom Flotilla on its way from Australia to the Indonesian province of Papua is expected to enter Indonesian waters today.

The crew of activists aboard include Aboriginal and West Papuan elders, who are all making the journey in an attempt to draw attention to claims of human rights abuses in the Northern Territory.

Australian and Indonesian authorities have warned the group of the potential ramifications.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has informed the group that they will not receive any extra consular assistance if they are arrested or detained by Indonesian police.

Organiser Lizzy Brown spoke to Radio Australia's Pacific Beat from on board the Flotilla's flagship vessel.

"Today we've been really contemplating the whole auspicious occasion of being September 11 and the whole thing of anti-terrorism. I guess Australia's been training Indonesian troops like Detachment 88 to wreak havoc and terror on West Papuan people," Ms Brown said.

Responding to suggestions by the Indonesian Navy that the yacht may potentially be armed, Ms Brown said they "come in peace; bearing no arms."

"We have been absolutely clear about this from the beginning of our journey at the sacred mound springs of Lake Eyre in Arabunna country. We are letting them know our location via our satellite tracker which is available for the world to see up on our website," Ms Brown said.


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2 min read

Published

Updated

By Brooke Boney
Source: NITV News

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