Almost three months after West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) members captured New Zealand pilot, Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens, TPNPB spokesperson Mr Sebby Sambom circulated a press release and new …
Indonesian security forces have intensified operations in various conflict areas in West Papua. According to information received, security force members raided villages and set residential houses on fire. The raids reportedly occurred in the conflict hotspots in West Papua, predominantly in the regencies, Puncak, Nduga, and Intan Jaya,
Military members reportedly opened fire at a group of indigenous Papuans from the Yugur Village in the Nduga Regency on 6 April 2023.
Police officers arbitrarily arrested 54 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and supporters in the city of Jayapura and the neighbouring town of Sentani, Jayapura District, between 8 and 11 April 2023
A security force member allegedly shot dead Mr Step Wiling while standing on the roadside of the Trans Wamena-Kurulu road in the Mulima Village, Libarek District, on 10 April 2023.
In early April 2023, three Papuan students were tried under treason charges at the Jayapura Ditrict Court for participating in the peaceful assembly and raising the Morning Star flag at the USTJ campus in Jayapura. Police officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful protest by Papuan university students at the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) and arrested fifteen students on 10 November 2022. One detainee was reportedly torture on 8 December during detention.
On 3 April 2023, Mr Elias Douw, an indigenous Papuan journalist working for the local media outlets Tabloid Daerah and Wagadei online media, was reportedly prevented by police officers from covering a trial District Court in the town of Nabire, Papua Tengah Province.
On 7 March 2023, a member of the Jagebob Sub-district police reportedly tortured Mr Awang Kristian Irawan, a teacher at SD Inpres Jagebob 6 in the village of Jagebob Raya, Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province
The armed conflict in West Papua has significantly intensified throughout March 2023, causing new internal displacements in the region. The military is proceeding with the central government’s plan to increase social interaction with indigenous Papuans in remote parts of West Papua. Military personnel are targeting schools in particular, where they can make contact with the Papuan youth.
Joint Security forces shot dead Enius Tabuni during a firefight with members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Yenggernok Village, Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 22 March 2023.
Indonesian security forces raided the village of Pamebut, Yugumuak District, in the early morning of 3 March 2023, killing one indigenous woman and injuring eight other villagers.
The West Papua Council of Churches (WPCC) published an open letter to the Indonesian Government and the West Papua National Liberation Army in February 2023.
Papuan lawyer and human rights defender, Mr Steven Peyon, working for the Sorong Legal Aid Institute (LBH), was assaulted by a dozen unknown perpetrators in front of SD Inpres 46 Elementary School in the Malanu Village, Sorong City, on 29 January 2023.
Joint security forces dispersed civil unrest in the Sinakma Village, Wamena Town, Jayawijaya Regency, on 23 February 2023. Video material and the high number of civilian fatalities strongly indicate that security forces used unnecessary disproportional force to disperse the crowd.
On 21 February 2023, Indonesian navy members tortured the indigenous Papuans, Mr Albertus Kaize, and his brother, Mr Daniel Kaize near the Wogekel Village, Ilwayab District of Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province. Mr Albertus Kaize (32 years) died as result of the injuries
On 21 February 2023, police officers opened fire at Mr Nopelian Egupa n the town of Nabire. The officers suspected him of being involved in the theft of a motorcycle which occurred shortly before the incident.
Police Mobile Brigade Special Unit tortured Mr Lamek Wayoken (45 years) on 4 February 2023 in front of his house in the Maam Village, Ngguti District, Merauke Regency.
Judges at the Sorong District Court handed down two more long-term prison sentences in relation to the alleged involvement in the attack against the Kisor Military Post in the Maybrat Regency on 2 September 2021.
On 15 February 2023, judges at the Military Court III-19 in Jayapura have found the four military members, Private Rahmat Amin Sese, Private Risky Oktav Muliawan, Private Robertus Putra Clinsman, and Private Pargo Rumbouw guilty of killing four indigenous Papuans and subsequently mutilating their bodies in the town of Timika on 22 August 2022.
Members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) captured New Zealand pilot, Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens, in the Paro District of Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 7 February 2023.
