John Martinkus Knihy

From the author of the acclaimed A Dirty Little War comes this vivid, eyewitness account of Indonesia's secret war in Aceh.I couldn't stop thinking about how my reports from inside Aceh - of the still unconfirmed mass graves, the executions, the air attacks against civilians - could turn around the situation. Like how Max Stahl's footage of the Santa Cruz massacre in East Timor created the international support for an independent East Timor. But you had to ask, could that happen to Aceh in 2003? Had our world changed so much with the terrorist strikes in New York and the bombing in Bali that human lives in places such as Aceh no longer grabbed our attention? When only four years earlier the same acts being carried out by the same military caused enough concern for international peacekeepers to be sent in?

The plight of West Papua under Indonesian rule is vividly depicted, highlighting the brutal repression faced by independence advocates. Martinkus recounts the assassination of leader Theys Eluay and the ongoing violence against those who display the Morning Star flag. He connects the wealth generated by the Freeport mine to systemic oppression and examines the influence of Laskar Jihad, Islamic extremists exacerbating the situation. This compelling reportage draws parallels to East Timor, emphasizing global indifference from entities like the United Nations and the Australian government.

The narrative delves into the ongoing struggle for West Papuan independence amid severe repression by Indonesian forces. It highlights the community's collective trauma from violence, surveillance, and military presence, igniting a fierce desire for justice. Investigative reporter John Martinkus provides a detailed, contemporary account of the escalating conflict, revealing how a highlands road became a catalyst for uprising. The book includes exclusive information and photographs, shedding light on a critical situation largely overlooked by the media.