In Nov/Dec 2012  filmmaker Dom Rotheroe and I visited West Papua to make a documentary commissioned by Al Jazeera English TV about the ongoing independence struggle there.  Travelling undercover, we met with KNPB (Komite Nasional Papua Barat / National Committee for West Papua) activists to investigate the largely unreported 'silent genocide' taking place in the face of a 40+ year Indonesian military occupation.  Watch the documentary.

KNPB (Komite Nasional Papua Barat/National Committee for West Papua) student activists. The KNPB is an ever-growing civic independence movement focused on both organising non-violent mass protest and making the outside world more aware of their plight

KNPB chairman Victor Yeimo. Victor says that as a child he witnessed the Indonesian military invasion of his village. Villagers were killed in front of him for refusing to raise the Indonesian flag or sing the national anthem.

Children display the Morning Star flag, a symbol of Papuan independence. Displaying the Morning Star flag in public can lead to arrest and activists have been imprisoned for up to fifteen years for this 'crime'.

KNPB activist Uchak Logo reflects on an image of the banned Morning Star. "As long as Indonesia refuses to recognise us, the KNPB will continue to organise the public to rebel. If we don’t get independence, we may as well die.”

KNPB student activists sing about the ongoing struggle for West Papuan independence

KNPB Chairman Victor Yeimo and fellow activists display the KNPB flag

The next generation of West Papuan freedom fighters contemplates her fate

The memorial to Papuan leader Theys Eluay in Sentani, West Papua. Theys Eluay was abducted and killed by Indonesian forces in 2001 and remains a symbolic figure for West Papuans.

KNPB activists gather in the bush to record a message of thanks to the government of Guyana, who have pledged their support for West Papuan independence from Indonesia

Victor Yeimo briefs KNPB activists in the bush ahead of a planned Papuan Independence Day demonstration on December 1 2012. On the day, Indonesian security forces broke up the peaceful procession after just a few hundred metres, arresting Victor Yeimo and beating and kicking other activists

KNPB activists use laptops to send video footage and photos to their networks around the world

Makeshift home near Sentani, West Papua

KNPB chairman Victor Yeimo spends a considerable amount of time travelling behind blacked-out windows, in an ongoing game of cat-and-mouse with the Indonesian authorities

A West Papuan tribesman in the Baliem Valley wearing the traditional penis gourd, or 'koteka' . In 1971 the Indonesian government launched "Operasi Koteka" ("Operation Penis Gourd") to encourage more 'modern' clothing. It was eventually abandoned due to resistance but western clothing is required in government buildings, and children are required to wear western clothing in school.

Preparing dugout canoes for travel down the Baliem river

KNPB activists travel down the Baliem river by dugout canoe, to attend a village meeting. It is a safer way to travel than by road, where their movement is constantly monitored

Arrival at the village in the Baliem Valley. Papuans of all ages and tribes gather for the opportunity to share their stories. Our meeting eventually ends abruptly when lookouts report that police have been tipped off and are on their way.

Tribesmen and women in the Baliem Valley, West Papua

"As a woman, I have given birth to many children and then they were killed" this West Papuan tribeswoman told us

West Papuan tribeswomen, Baliem Valley

Many tribesmen still carry the traditional bows and arrows used for centuries. West Papua is, however, one of the most militarised regions in the world.

West Papuan activist Jimmy Hiluka (left)

Village chief Inakolem Kosay (white shirt) was one of just 1000 West Papuan representatives forced to sign the 'Act Of Free Choice' in 1969 under threat of violence. It is commonly known as the Act of No Choice and West Papuans demand a referendum. "The vote itself was conducted in breach of international law" claims Jennifer Robinson of International Lawyers for West Papua

Wamena KNPB leader Simeon Dabi (left) who was arrested and interrogated at gun point a few weeks later on December 15, 2012

KNPB activist Hubertus Mabel (wearing red hat). Two weeks after our visit, on December 15 2012, he was reportedly shot at and stabbed by Australian-trained anti-terror unit Detachment 88. He later died in hospital in Wamena.

All generations of West Papuans gather to support the ongoing struggle for self-determination

"I don't want to give birth anymore. These are the only children left. The others have been killed" said this West Papuan tribeswoman

West Papuan villagers gather in the Baliem Valley

West Papuan activists can now use digital cameras and laptops to send video footage and photos to networks and supporters around the world

West Papuan activists with traditional bows and arrows