West Papua

Four political prisoners from Sorong found guilty of treason and sentenced to seven months in prison for delivering letters

On 19 November 2025, judges at the Makassar District Court in Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province, sentenced four Papuan political prisoners from Sorong City to seven months’ imprisonment on treason charges.

Four political prisoners from Sorong found guilty of treason and sentenced to seven months in prison for delivering letters Read More »

Military operations in Papuan highlands continue as people launch series of protests against militarism, demanding withdrawal of troops

People across West Papua have been protesting against the growing militarisation and ongoing expansion of military operations in the Papuan central highlands.

Military operations in Papuan highlands continue as people launch series of protests against militarism, demanding withdrawal of troops Read More »

Papua Quarterly Report Q3 2025: Violence and Impunity: Killings and arrests as security forces expand across West Papua

This 12-page document outlines cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns, the escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians, significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua, and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 July to 30 September 2025.

Papua Quarterly Report Q3 2025: Violence and Impunity: Killings and arrests as security forces expand across West Papua Read More »

IDP Update October 2025: Military campaign disrupts civilian life and services while causing new displacements

Between September and October 2025, West Papua experienced widespread internal displacement affecting more than 103,218 civilians across multiple regencies due to Indonesian military operations and armed conflict

IDP Update October 2025: Military campaign disrupts civilian life and services while causing new displacements Read More »

Constitutional court rejects formal review of controversial TNI Law despite strong dissent

Indonesia’s Constitutional Court rejected formal review petitions challenging Law No. 3/2025 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), ruling that the legislative process did not violate the 1945 Constitution despite procedural controversies and widespread criticism

Constitutional court rejects formal review of controversial TNI Law despite strong dissent Read More »

Impunity concerns: Sorong Police reluctant to investigate allegations of torture and arbitrary detention

On 7 October 2025, the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) branch office in Sorong urged the Southwest Papua People’s Assembly (MRP PBD) to take an active role in monitoring and supporting the legal process into allegations of arbitrary detention and torture committed by officers of the Sorong City Police against Papuan civilian, Mr Ortizan F. Tarage on 15 May 2025.

Impunity concerns: Sorong Police reluctant to investigate allegations of torture and arbitrary detention Read More »

Detention update: Son Balingga’s arbitrary detention exceeds legal limits as authorities shift responsibility

he arbitrary detention of Mr Son Balingga, a civilian wrongfully arrested in Yahukimo on 5 August 2025, has now exceeded 120 days without any evidence linking him to armed groups or criminal activity, violating Indonesian criminal procedure laws (KUHAP).

Detention update: Son Balingga’s arbitrary detention exceeds legal limits as authorities shift responsibility Read More »

Growing human rights concerns amidst significant expansion of military presence across the West Papuan central highlands

The systematic militarisation of West Papua’s highland regions since August 2025 represents an unprecedented transformation of civilian territories into military operation zones, with direct implications for armed conflict escalation, natural resource extraction, and population displacement.

Growing human rights concerns amidst significant expansion of military presence across the West Papuan central highlands Read More »

UN side event examines indigenous rights and state violence in Indonesia

he World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, together with several partner organisations, convened a side event during the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 22 September, examining conditions one year into Indonesia’s current administration.

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Military operation in Puncak Jaya leaves 13-year-old girl wounded and village in ruins

In the early hours of 7 August 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly raided the Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency, resulting in the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of church facilities, and the shooting of a 13-year-old girl named Y. W.

Military operation in Puncak Jaya leaves 13-year-old girl wounded and village in ruins Read More »

Escalating intimidation campaign against Papuan students across Indonesia: A recurring pattern of systematic rights violations

Between April and July 2025, Papuan students studying in Indonesian cities have faced an alarming escalation of coordinated intimidation campaigns across Gorontalo, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta.

Escalating intimidation campaign against Papuan students across Indonesia: A recurring pattern of systematic rights violations Read More »

President’s amnesty decision raises questions about political prisoner rights

President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to grant amnesty to six political prisoners from West Papua and Maluku ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day has drawn mixed reactions from human rights organisations, with advocates welcoming the releases while questioning the limited scope and timing of the presidential pardons.

President’s amnesty decision raises questions about political prisoner rights Read More »