Merdeka Papua: integration, independence, or something else?

Abstract

In an attempt to bring discussions about West Papua back to the fore this thesis first argues that self-determination has never been realized in West Papua, thus making the United Nations' attempt at ending colonialism there an abject failure. To do so I recount the history of the half-island and the means by which it was colonized by the Dutch and then re-colonized by the Indonesian state. I then argue that in order for the fullest measure of self-determination to occur indigenous peoples must be allowed to choose any option for their future, be it integration, independence, or some other status including the possible formation of non-state entities or the complete withdrawal from the global system. In doing so I recount the forced integration of West Papua into the unitary Republic ofindonesia and then look forward to ways that self-determination and indigenous demands for merdeka might be satisfied, not all of which concur with presupposed modes of decolonization. This challenge of Western assumptions and regulations regarding decolonization is important as West Papua is a prime example where simply removing the colonizer and establishing a new state will not necessarily satisfy indigenous demands for independence.