On a recent freedom flotilla reconnaissance mission to West Papua I was blessed to meet a host of staunch Papuans fighting for their independence in a variety of ways. To a background of new year celebrations of fire crackers and feasting on fish and sago, the women and men I interviewed revealed their own experiences under occupation from Indonesia as well as their resolve for freedom.

On my second day in Jayapura after meeting some of the key players in the Federal Republic of West Papua’s interim government of which many of its members are exiled or imprisoned, I arranged to meet the political prisoners in Jail in Jayapura, these include the Prime Minister Edison Waromi and President Forkorus Yaboisembut and freedom fighter Filep Karma.
Being the festive season the prison was very busy with visitors and we went undetected. I’m excited to bring to you these interviews with the political prisoners in Abepura Prison Jayapura. Mandela maybe dead but his patience and determination lives on in the prisons of West Papua.
This is the first interview of many so stay tuned!
Izzy Brown