West Papua Crisis Continues

Since late August four Ekari tribal people have been killed in the area around Freeport and Rio Tinto's giant mine in West Papua.

Following the deaths, approximately 1000 protesters attacked Freeport property and blockaded the main road to the mine. The police, with the support of the military, have now demanded that people hand over all sharp objects, including their arrows, spears and knives. These are not only vital to the people for agriculture and hunting but they also have great cultural and religious significance. Tensions were running high in the area because Freeport had just announced the second phase of its 1% trust fund; an attempt to buy off local opposition to the mine following riots in 1996. Rio Tinto Zinc, trashers of Bouginville as well as PNG, have refused to comment. Contact Corporate Watch for RTZ addresses in the UK.