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.
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.
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 »
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
The Awyu tribe in Papua is continuing their fight against an oil palm plantation on their customary land. In February 2024, they appealed a court decision that rejected their lawsuit against the environmental permit issued to PT Indo Asiana Lestari (PT IAL).
Hope has emerged after the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) ordered the release of a New Zealand pilot held captive for a year. Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped in February 2023 by a TPNPB faction led by Egianus Kogoya, sparking international concern and highlighting the ongoing conflict in the region.
According to information received, security force members carried out a raid in the Manggume Village, Omukia District, on 4 February 2024, around 10.00 am. Mr Andinus Murib, 21, and Mr Devius Wanikbo, 19, were fixing the roof of a house when the security forces came to the villages.
One Papuan villager reportedly died because of the injuries he sustained due to the torture. At least three other civilians were injured after being tortured, including one pastor named Rev Eriak Waker. The torture occurred during his interrogation in the Yenggernok Village.
Human rights observers have expressed concerns regarding a series of armed clashes in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, from 19 to 24 January 2024, which resulted in two Papuan men killed and one Papuan woman injured by joint security forces.
On the 11th of January, an important gathering took place at the Intipura Complex in Sorong Regency, West Papua. The event was themed “Face-to-Face Meeting of the West Papua Police Chief with the Maybrat Refugee Community in Sorong Regency,” aimed at addressing the concerns of the Maybrat refugee community
Updated information that reached the Human Rights Monitor in December 2023 indicates that the conflict and humanitarian situation in Maybrat has again deteriorated. First, the armed conflict situation in Maybrat throughout 2023 appeared to be under control. HRM documented two armed attacks between January and October 2023, resulting in the death of one security force officer in the Aifat Timur Tengah District.
The Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia rejected the cassation filed by four TNI soldiers accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency. The cassation decision is contained in Decision Number 291 K / Mil / 2023 of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Indonesian government has been addressing past human rights violations, including the Wamena case from 4 April 2003, through non-judicial means, but without engaging with the victims’ families.
On 1 December 2023, as KNPB activists were preparing banners to commemorate the “Papuan Independence Day”, the police led by the Mamberamo Tengah District Police Chief (Kapolres) arrived with complete equipment, under the command of the Deputy Chief of Police of Papua.
According to the information received, members and activists were busy setting up the stage in front of the KNPB Mamberamo Tengah Secretariat. Around 3:40 PM, a joint police and military force comprising TNI and POLRI, led by the district police chief of Mamberamo Tengah, arrived at the KNPB secretariat.
Indigenous communities in Indonesia have lost a staggering 8.5 million hectares of land over the past five years, according to the Tenure Coalition. This land seizure has resulted in tenurial conflicts, with state actors often involved in acts of violence. The root of the problem lies in conditional recognition policies that make it difficult for indigenous communities to secure their land rights.
On 8 January 2024, judges at the Jakarta Timur District Court ruled that the Indonesian human rights defenders Fatia Maulidyanti and Haris Azhar were acquitted of defamation charges in the trial against the incumbent minister for investment and maritime affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
In Timika, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Timika University Students, the Independent Forum of West Papua Students (FIMWP), and Papuan Voices, all members of the Solidarity Movement Against Investment …
