This official document presents the UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights’ detailed review of Indonesia’s efforts and obstacles in implementing rights such as protection from extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrest, torture and freedoms such as those of expression and assembly.
As of April 2024, 76,919 people in West Papua, most of them indigenous Papuans, remain internally displaced as a result of the armed conflict in the region.
HRM’s Papua Monitor Report for the fourth quarter of 2023 covers the events that happened from 1 October to 31 December 2023 regarding the conflict situation and human rights violations in West Papua. Below is a summary of the events.
In early April 2024, more than 10,000 West Papuans residing in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) commemorated the 40th anniversary of their displacement since 1984.
On 12 April 2024, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) released new videos of New Zealand pilot Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens. It is the first sign of life from Mehrtens since early 2024.
Joint security force members dispersed a peaceful demonstration organised by the ‘Papuan Peoples Front Caring for Human Rights’ (FRPHAMP) in the town of Nabire, Papua Tengah Province on 5 April 2024.
Tragedy struck during a funeral gathering in the Yokatapa Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 24 March 2024, resulting in the death of Ronaldus Duwitau,13. Six-year-old Nepina Duwitau sustained multiple bullet wounds on the hand and the head. She is currently in a coma.
eforestation and land use change continue to occur in West Papua. Based on PUSAKA’s deforestation monitoring from January to February 2024, through analysis of satellite imagery from Planet Labs Mosaic and Sentinel S2, PUSAKA identified essential changes in forest cover.
On 21 March 2024, an incident of police violence reportedly unfolded in the town of Timika, Mimika Regency, Papua Tengah Province.
West Papua in 2023 faced a significantly worse human rights situation than the rest of Indonesia. Decades of unresolved conflict have further escalated since December 2018, leading to a surge in extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture by security forces, particularly in the highlands.
On 25 March 2024, a plain cloth police officer wanted to attend a student discussion organised by the Papuan Anti-Militarism and Human Rights Solidarity regarding the torture of three indigenous Papuans in the Puncak Regency
The Awyu indigenous community has taken further legal action by filing a cassation against the Manado Administrative High Court’s decision to the Indonesian Supreme Court.
Mr Ones Suhuniap, a KNPB activist in Jayapura reported receiving threatening messages on 21 March 2024 following the sharing of the torture video on social media. The threatening messages ranged …
KNPB activist receives threats after torture video goes viral Read More »
Mr Markus Haluk, the Executive Secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), reported receiving threats via phone calls and WhatsApp messages following ULMWP’s statement regarding the video …
ULMWP Secretary receives threats after torture video goes viral Read More »
An arbitrary arrest occurred in Timika, Papua Selatan Province, on 14 March 2024, joint security forces raided the house of Effesus Hisage.
A Russian tourist, Mr Shmatov Ivan Aleksandrovich, was arbitrarily arrested by Indonesian security forces in the town of Enarotali, Paniai Timur District, Papua Tangah Province, on 11 March 2024 (see …
Police arrest Russian tourist taking photos in Enarotali Read More »
According to information received, police officers arrested fifteen FMRPAM activists on 1 April while distributing leaflets in Sentani, Jayapura Regency. They were released on the same day. On 2 April 2024, police officers arrested 62 protesters while gathering at the Sentani Road junction and temporarily detained than at Jayapura District Police Station. Police officers reportedly beat protesters during the arrest. According to the protesters, the ill-treatment did not result in injuries.
Police officers reportedly prevented activists from distributing leaflets for the demonstration. carried out arbitrary arrests, and cracked down on protesters using teargas and batons at the road junction in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, and also near the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ), and the Perumnas III Waena residential area in Jayapura City. Two protesters, Mr Edison Tebay, 24, and Mr Yonas Magai, 24, sustained injuries after being hit by teargas grenades on the head as police officers dispersed the crowd of protesters in Waena, Jayapura City
Police officers reportedly prevented activists from distributing leaflets for the demonstration, carried out arbitrary arrests, and cracked down on the protesters using teargas and batons. in Jayapura on 2 April 2024.
he Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) has raised concerns over the denial of legal assistance to Melianus Baye and Benny Elopere, two minors detained by the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) on suspicion of involvement in an aircraft shooting incident in the Yahukimo Regency.
