West Papuan independence leaders sell their climate vision at COP26
"In West Papua, we’re facing a genocide and an ecocide," he tells SBS News.
"They are destroying our land, our environment in the name of development."
He is referring to Indonesia, which has controlled the region since 1962.
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"In recent years we’ve seen huge numbers of palm oil companies coming into West Papua, with the support of the Indonesian government. The result is the destruction of ancient rainforest," says Raki Ap, a spokesman for the Free West Papua campaign.
West Papua is half of the island of New Guinea, home to the world’s third-largest rainforest.
But its abundance of natural resources has made it an attractive destination for mining and fossil fuel companies.
It is home to the Grasberg mine, which contains the world's largest reserve of gold and the second-largest reserve of copper. Indigenous tribes say it has caused extensive damage to the region's ecosystem.
West Papuan independence leaders launch their Green State Vision in Glasgow, Scotland. Source: SBS News
The Green State Vision plan would make 'ecocide' a serious criminal offence and ensure extraction companies adhere to international environmental standards or cease operations.
It would also restore guardianship of natural resources to Indigenous groups.
"How can you make a policy without the most important stakeholders, which are the indigenous peoples?" asks Mr Ap.
"We know how to preserve nature and we’re willing to meet the requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The West Papuan Independence movement does not have an official seat at the COP26 table. Talks with official participants have been limited.
"We hope we will get momentum and people will understand our Indigenous-led changes," Mr Ap says.
Raki Ap, spokesman for the Green State Vision Source: SBS News
Instead, the group's leaders are speaking with grassroots environmental activists, hoping to gain public support for their vision.
"It's all about peace, justice and harmony with nature, our culture and our identity," says Mr Wenda.
"We want to set an example to the world. We are ready to govern ourselves and set an example for the rest of humanity."
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