News on the human rights and conflict situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
On 8 August 2023, the Jayapura District Court found the three students, Mr Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Mr Devio Tekege, and Mr Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere, guilty of treason.
At least 37 supporters of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were reportedly arrested and 16 tortured in relation to peaceful demonstrations held in the towns Sentani, Jayapura Regency, and Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, on 14 and 15 August 2023
Human Rights Monitor’s latest 49-page report delves deep into Indonesian forces’ systematic attacks on indigenous West Papua villages, highlighting potential crimes against humanity. Satellite imagery reveals 206 destroyed buildings and the displacement of over 2,000 indigenous Ngalum locals. With international attention urgently needed, the report questions Indonesia’s compliance with international humanitarian law.
On 5 July 2023, two months after judges at the Jayapura District Court sentenced Papuan activist and human rights defender Victor Yeimo to eight months imprisonment for other charges but not for treason, a panel of judges of the Jayapura High Court in its appeal decision, stated that Mr Yeimo was proven to have committed treason and sentenced him to one year in prison.
A military member allegedly killed twenty-six-year-old Mr Markus Kamisopa in the town of Timika, Papua Tengah Province, on 2 August 2023.
Recent military tribunals related to the enforced disappearance and execution of indigenous Papuans in the regencies Intan Jaya and Mimika illustrate the pressing issue of accountability and impunity in West Papua. The failure to detain defendants and the leniency of sentences in cases of violence against civilians perpetuate a climate of impunity.
A series of alarming events unfolded in the Dogiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 13 July 2023. the incidents unveiled a disturbing pattern of unlawful shootings and outbreaks of horizontal violence.
Members of the Yahukimo District police arbitrarily arrested six activists belonging to the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in the town of Dekai on 6 July 2023.
The Legal Aid Agency Talenta Keadilan Papua has filed a complaint regarding the killing and mutilation of Mrs Tarina Murib in the Yugumuak District, Puncak Regency, on 3 March 2023 to the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission.
On 4 July 2023, UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, (see photo on top, source: screenshot) in her opening remarks during the 22nd Meeting, 53rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, expressed concerns regarding the human rights situation in the easternmost provinces in Indonesia.
On 5 May 2023, Five Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council wrote to the Indonesian government regarding cases of violence including extrajudicial killings in West Papua. We …
Five UN Special Procedures raise killings of indigenous Papuans Read More »
The planned revision of the Indonesian Law No 34/2004 on the military (TNI) has sparked debate and concerns among Indonesian civil society. The revision of the law is part of the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) from 2019 to 2024.
Ongoing armed clashes between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) have caused the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to rise while at the same time preventing them from safely returning to their homes.
Mr Haris Azhar (Founder of Lokataru) and Ms Fatia Maulidiyanti (Coordinator of KontraS) have been facing legal proceedings for alleged defamation against Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mr Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, since 2021. The trial of the criminalisation case against Fatia and Haris entered the stage of examining the reporting witness, namely Mr Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, on 8 June 2023.
On 14 June 2023, judges at the Sorong District Court found the defendants, Mr Elias Wetipo, Mr Marthen Samonsabra Oiwari, and Mr. Yoran Pahabol, guilty of treasonous acts. They were sentenced to prison for delivering peaceful speeches and displaying banners with the Morning Star symbol at the airport in Sorong on 13 September 2022.
The Papuan Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition has called on the Sorong Police Chief to halt the legal process against human rights advocate Mr Leo Ijie. They understand this prosecution as an attempt to criminalise him for his professional work as a lawyer
On 27 May 2023, excavators cleared a vast area of customary land secured by dozens of armed military members and Police mobile brigade (Brimob) special unit officers.
The West Papuan Council of Churches (WPCC) is calling on Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to cease military operations in West Papua and seek dialogue with TPNPB. The WPCC considers that Mehrtens’ life is in danger if negotiations with the TPNPB do not take place.
Over the past years, there have been several reports of such abuses and Human Rights Monitor (HRM) has compiled a list of victims of enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killings in West Papua between January and December 2022.
Judges at the Jayapura District Court sentenced Papuan activist and human rights defender Victor Yeimo to eight months imprisonment on 5 May 2023.
