The indigenous peoples in West Papua suffer from human rights violations in the decades long lasting political and economical conflict there. West Papua refers to the western half of the New Guinea island. It is comprised of the six Indonesian provinces: Papua, Papua Barat, Papua Tengah, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Selatan, Papua Barat Daya.
The Indonesian government’s ambitious plan to create a one-million-hectare rice field in the Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province, is moving forward without proper consultation with indigenous communities and despite significant environmental risks.
On 10 September 2024, the Wamena District Court acquitted Melianus Baye and Benny Elopore (see photos on top and below, source: Paham Papua), two minors who had been arrested in the regency of Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 22 February 2024.
On 10 September 2024, relatives and supporters conducted a peaceful protest in Dekai to raise awareness about the case and demand justice
On 16 August 2024, police officers detained two members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) without providing a warrant during a peaceful rally commemorating the fifth anniversary of the 2019 Papua Uprising in Jayapura City, Papua Province.
On 13 August 2024, an incident of arbitrary arrest and intimidation against Papuan activists occurred in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.
On 29 August 2024, Indonesian military arbitrarily arrested two indigenous Papuans in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, West Papua.
On 24 August 2024, a 17-year-old Papuan named Justa Kobak was beaten by members of the Mobile Police Brigade Corps (Brimob) during a night patrol in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. The incident occurred as Justa was walking home from a local shop around 8:30 p.m. The unprovoked attack left the young man severely injured (see Photo on top, source: independent HRDs) and in need of immediate medical attention.
According to the information received, the Brimob members forcibly stopped Justa and subsequently started beating him. The assault left the young man battered and in critical condition. The following morning, Justa was admitted to Dekai General Hospital for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to a hospital in Jayapura on 27 August 2024, for more advanced medical care.
A pPolice officer shot Charles Kogoya, in front of the GIDI Church, Jerusalem, Tolikara Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 21 August 2024.
Following her testimony at the 53rd session of the Permanent People’s Tribunal (PPT) in London, Papuan human rights defenders Ms Tineke Rumkabu and her family experienced a series of acts of intimidation.
he National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has admitted to facing significant delays in investigating a torture case involving indigenous Papuan civilians in Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.
The case of Papuan journalist Victor Mambor, who was the victim of a Molotov bomb attack in early 2023, continues to be a source of controversy and concern. Despite multiple attempts to seek justice, the perpetrators of the attack remain at large.
On 18 July 2024, the dispute over gold panning land in Kapiraya District escalated tensions between the Mee and Kamoro tribes. This dispute threatens the peaceful coexistence that has long been maintained between the two tribes.
On 20 August 2024. Tobias Silak was fatally shot by police officers in Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua while Naro Dapla was injured in the incident.
Recent findings highlight the ongoing use of treason charges to suppress peaceful activism in Papua, raising significant concerns over the infringement of fundamental human rights. A report by the Alliance for Democracy for Papua (AlDP) and Tapol, launched in Jayapura in July 2024, reveals that treason laws are frequently employed to criminalise activists advocating for Papuan rights.
On 15 August 2024, 222 protesters were arrested and 41 injured as police dispersed the crowd with batons, teargas, and rubber ammunition in West Papua.
A contentious legal dispute has emerged in the Sorong Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province, involving PT Mancaraya Agro Mandiri (MAM), a subsidiary of the Manca Group, and the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Malamoi.
The new Papua Special Autonomy Law (Otsus II) has been challenged again through a judicial review at the Indonesian Constitutional Court on 15 July 2024.
On 20 July 2024, the Acting Mayor of Jayapura City, Mr Christian Sohilait, was reported to the South Jayapura Police for allegedly beating M., a 42-year-old bus driver, on Entrop-Polimak Road, Jayapura Selatan District, Jayapura City, Papua Province.
On 17 July 2024, police officers arbitrarily detained Mr Zakeyos Dendegau, 26, at Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire, Papua Tangah Province.
Mrs Lami Faan, a Papuan human rights defender from Maybrat was intimidated following her testimony at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
