Flags raised against ‘illegally occupied’ West Papua

Raising the Morning Star flag, of the proposed Republic of West Papua, in the Octagon yesterday are (from left) Dunedin city councillor Marie Laufiso, Dr Kerri Cleaver and Barbara Frame.

In a statement, West Papua Action Ōtepoti co-conveners Ms Frame and Suzanne Menzies-Culling said the demonstration was part of an international effort to mark West Papua being "illegally occupied" by Indonesia since the 1960s.

"Human rights there are largely disregarded, and owning or raising the flag can lead to lengthy prison terms," they said.