KNPB

The Jayapura demonstration was one of more than 14 rallies in Indonesian cities, calling for West Papuan rights to self-determination to be respected.

More than 500 people were reported to have been arrested for participating in the rallies.

While the vast majority were released later in the day, two arrested in the Papua provincial capital have been charged.

Hosea Yemo and Ismael Alua are reportedly members of the West Papua National Committee, (KNPB), and the pro-independence representative group which organised some of the rallies.

The West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, had notified police about its intention to hold a series of public demonstrations in various towns and cities today to commemorate the first Indonesian military invasion in 1961.

Police in the various centres rejected granting them permission, but the KNPB and other activists proceeded anyway.

As well as in cities in the Papua region such as Jayapura, Nabire, Timika and Wamena, there were mobilisations in other parts of Indonesia including Jogjakarta, Jakarta, Bandung and Manado.

The West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, had notified police about its intention to hold a march today to commemorate the first Indonesian military invasion in 1961.

Police in the various centres have rejected granting them permission, but the KNPB has indicated it plans to proceed anyway.

However last night police were understood to have arrested 30 people involved in a planned mobilisation in the Highlands city of Wamena.