Office of Benny Wenda

WEST PAPUAN INDEPENDENCE leader Benny Wenda will embark on his first official overseas tour this month having successfully fought to have an Interpol Red Notice against him removed.

Wenda is now free to travel and is visiting political leaders, lawyers, activists and supporters in in six countries to build support and awareness of the campaign for self-determination for the people of West Papua.

Ahead of the tour, Wenda spoke of his hope that “it will further raise the voice of the West Papuan people whose cries for freedom and justice have been largely ignored by the international community for the last 50 years”.

After first visiting the US, Wenda will travel to New Zealand from 8 February, launching the International Parliamentarians for West Papua at Parliament House in Wellington on 12 February.

In Australia (13-25 February), he will host an event at Parliament House, Canberra, attended by politicians and members of the legal fraternity. He will also visit Melbourne, Sydney and Perth as well as meeting Aboriginal elders.

Wenda’s tour of Melanesia from 25 February to 10 March will conclude in Papua New Guinea, where he will speak to parliamentarians and meet community leaders.

Benny Wenda is travelling with his lawyer Jennifer Robinson and independent filmmaker Dominic Brown.

Tour updates: Web:   www.bennywenda.org   Twitter: @BennyWenda