Hundreds of protesters camped outside Parliament in Papua last night as part of a rally calling for a referendum on self-determination for the Indonesian province.
Tribesmen painted their faces in the colours of the banned separatist flag and called on elders to demand the referendum. The protesters are adamant they will not leave until the Indonesian government hears their calls.
Tribal leaders voted last month to reject the autonomy status of Indonesia's most remote and least developed province. The status was introduced in 2001 after the fall of the Suharto military dictatorship in Jakarta.
Human rights advocates and protesters say it had failed to raise the standards of living in the region, in spite of its extensive natural resources.
Police said yesterday they were preparing to disperse the protesters - who had started their rally with a permit - using force and could use live ammunition if all else failed.
Tribesmen painted their faces in the colours of the banned separatist flag and called on elders to demand the referendum. The protesters are adamant they will not leave until the Indonesian government hears their calls.
Tribal leaders voted last month to reject the autonomy status of Indonesia's most remote and least developed province. The status was introduced in 2001 after the fall of the Suharto military dictatorship in Jakarta.
Human rights advocates and protesters say it had failed to raise the standards of living in the region, in spite of its extensive natural resources.
Police said yesterday they were preparing to disperse the protesters - who had started their rally with a permit - using force and could use live ammunition if all else failed.
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