A video that went viral on social media shows an online taxi driver being allegedly assaulted by three members of the TNI (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, the Indonesian National Armed Forces).
A National Strategic Project (PSN) Teluk Bintuni Regency, Papua Barat Province, has sparked concerns over the potential violation of indigenous land rights. The project, handled by Genting Oil Kasuri Pte. Ltd, is accused of failing to implement Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles with the affected Sumuri indigenous community.
Indigenous communities in Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, are accusing PT Mancaraya Argo Mandiri (PT MAM) of illegally logging their customary forests. The company’s operational license was revoked in 2019, but it is suspected of continuing activities in the Sayosa and Maudus districts.
This comprehensive 9-page document lists cases and developments including human rights violations and their patterns; escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting …
olice in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, seized Morning Star flags from a Papuan student dormitory on 5 July 2024. The seizure came after a video of students raising the flags went viral on social media.
On 23 January 2023, Papuan journalist Victor Mambor became the target of a bomb attack at his residence. This incident, which threatened him and underscored the dangers faced by journalists in Papua, has sparked significant controversy and criticism over the handling of the investigation by law enforcement.
On 27 June 2024, a devastating fire consumed the home of Tribrata TV journalist Sempurna Pasaribu in Padang Mas Village, Karo Regency, North Sumatra. The incident, which occurred at approximately 3:30 am, resulted in the deaths of Pasaribu (47), his wife Elfrida Ginting (48), their son Sudi Investi Pasaribu (12), and their grandson Loin Situngkir (2). The fire initially raised suspicions, prompting investigations into the possible involvement of military personnel.
The Indonesian government’s plan to transform Merauke town, South Papua (Papua Selatan) Province, into a major centre for sugarcane plantations and bioethanol production has sparked significant controversy and legal disputes. This large-scale agricultural endeavour, part of the National Strategic Project (PSN), aims to achieve sugar self-sufficiency by 2027.
The Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (BPN) and the government of Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua (Papua Barat Daya) Province, are being urged to review the permits and impose strict sanctions on PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera (IKSJ) following recent trespassing on customary land.
The long-standing tension in Timika has escalated, resulting in significant destruction of local community plantations. The situation, which began in 2017, has reached alarming levels in 2024 with repeated incidents of violence, destruction, and threats. The person behind these actions is an individual known by the initials YG.
The longstanding conflict between the family of the late Moses Yewen and the military presence in Fef district, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua (Papua Barat Daya) Province has moved towards resolution. This follows a series of meetings and protests that highlighted the community’s grievances and demands. Mr Moses Yewen was tortured by military members on 9 April 2021 and died a month later. His relatives claim his death was a consequence of the torture he experienced.
Nine clans from the Wambon Kenemopte Tribe in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, have submitted proposals. These clans include Kinggo Kambenap, Tenggare, Aute, Kanduga, Ekoki (Aiwat Village), Ekoki (Kampung Subur), Kemi, Eninggugop, and Wauk. Additionally, proposals came from the Gelek Malak Kalawilis Pasa in Sorong Regency and the Afsya people in Konda South Sorong District. The total forest area proposed is 245,506 hectares.
A group of journalists in Wamena, Papua Pegunungan Province’s capital, faced restrictions while carrying out their duties during the vice president’s visit on 5 June 2024. Despite receiving ID cards specifically issued for reporting on Vice President (VP) Ma’ruf Amin’s visit to Wamena that day, they were barred from covering the event in the Aithosa Building in Wamena, where the VP was meeting regional heads.
On 10 June 2024, the Papua Bali Student Community Student Association, in collaboration with IMMAPPA Bali and AMP KK Bali, organised a peaceful demonstration in Denpasar to support the indigenous Awyu and Moi tribes in their struggle to protect their customary lands and forests.
The recent slogan “All Eyes on Papua” emerged in response to the viral “All Eyes on Rafah” campaign on Instagram. Indigenous communities and the youth in Papua hope that this movement will foster real solidarity with Papuan issues.
The case concerning the deadly shooting of Yulianus Tebai, a member of the Dogiyai Regency’s Pamong Praja Police Unit (Sat Pol PP) in Central Papua Province (Papua Tengah), has progressed to the witness examination phase at the Nabire District Court. Yulianus Tebai was shot on 21 January 2023 by a subordinate of Samuel D. Tatiratu, the Police Chief of Dogiyai.
As of June 2024, over 76,919 people in West Papua[1], predominantly indigenous Papuans, remain internally displaced due to the armed conflict in the region. While around two to three thousand people in the Maybrat Regency have reportedly returned home, new internal displacements have occurred.
Indigenous communities in Kapiraya district, Deiyai Regency, Papua Tengah (Central Papua) Province, are actively protesting the operations of PT Zoomlion, a Chinese company, which entered the area in 2023 to extract gold with heavy machinery (excavators) without obtaining permits from either the customary right owners or the relevant government authorities.
On 11 May 2024, Damai Cartenz Police members arrested Andarias Nawipa, a 30-year-old motorcycle taxi driver in the Bapouda Village, Paniai.
The arrest of Peni Petrus Pekei, also known as Petrus Pekei, by the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force Cartenz and the Dogiyai Police on 17 May 2024, has sparked controversy in Paniai, Central Papua. Pekei, allegedly the General Operations Commander for the TPNPB-OPM (West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation) in the Dokoge-Paniai region, was arrested near Paniai.
