Darwin, July 4: The television news network Al Jazeera cancelled without explanation its Thursday night premier of documentary titled Pride of Warriors made in West Papua.

It also removed the film’s synopsis from its website’s international programme guide.

Efforts to ask the Qatar-based TV-channel if the showing has been postponed or cancelled were unsuccessful.

Its director, Melbourne-based filmmaker Jono van Hest said in publicity for the documentary that it was arrival of 43 Papuans seeking refugee status from the Australian government in 2006 that inspired the movie.

He too has not responded.

The Jakarta Post quotes Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah as saying the Indonesian government did not protest Al Jazeera’s decision to show the film.

“I do not know if they have called it off or postponed it. I waited for the film but it was not aired,” he said.

Australia’s Immigration Department granted permanent residency to 39 of the West Papuan asylum seekers, who arrived on Cape York aboard an outrigger canoe after a five-day journey, last month.

The Indonesian government ordered the immediate recall of its ambassador from Canberra after Australia decided to grant temporary visas to the asylum seekers.

Ambassador Mohammad Hamzah Thayeb's departure was announced less than 24 hours after Australian Ambassador Bill Farmer was summoned to Jakarta's foreign ministry for a formal diplomatic protest.

Nationalist politicians called for punitive sanctions against Australia and the severance of military ties.

The 43 Papuans - 36 adults and seven children -said they faced persecution if they were returned home and Australia’s then Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone agreed.
The Southeast Asian Times