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.
his 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 West Papua; and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025.
The Sumuri Indigenous community, comprising 19 clans in the Teluk Bintuni Regency, has issued a resolute rejection of the proposed expansion of palm oil plantations by PT. Borneo Subur Prima and PT. Farita Maju Utama.
On 11 April 2025, farmers in Biha Village, Makimi District, Nabire Regency, Papua Tengah Province, raised urgent complaints concerning severe environmental degradation caused by gold mining activities operated by PT Kristalin.
On 14 and 15 April 2025, ethnic horizontal violence erupted in the Dogiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province, leading to the death of one non-Papuan close to the Moanemani Terminal.
On 7 April 2025, Papuan students and solidarity organisations held coordinated protests in major cities across Indonesia, such as Bandung, Bali, Lombok, Jember, Malang, Jayapura, Nabire, and Manokwari, marking the 58th anniversary of PT Freeport Indonesia’s operations in the Papua Tengah Province.
After operations against the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) intensified in January and February 2025, Indonesian security forces have continued to carry out raids in the regencies, Puncak, Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, Pegunungan Bintang, and Nduga while increasing their presence in conflict-affected areas across the central highlands in April 2025.
On 16 April 2025, 19-year-old Damianus Goo, a resident of Kebodagi Village in Tigi Barat District, Deiyai Regency, was subjected to torture by members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), police officers, and civilians in Dogiyai, West Papua.
On 19 April 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) members reportedly executed an unarmed indigenous Papuan named Mr Yulli Kalakmabin, 28, in Wanbakon Village, Serambakon District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency.
On 10 April 2025, members of the Student Executive Board of the University of Papua (BEM UNIPA), supported by Papuan students and civil society, conducted a peaceful protest against the revision of the Military Law and the expansion of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) in Manokwari, Papua Barat Province.
With Prabowo’s election, the decline of rights to free expression and assembly that had already happened during President Joko Widodo’s time in office, looks set to continue.
On the night of 13 March 2025, military personnel reportedly tortured three indigenous Papuans in the Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.
Another case of torture and extrajudicial execution occurred in Yuguru village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.
The availability and quality of health crisis in West Papua has reached an alarming stage as public hospitals across the region experienced closures, strikes, as well as severe shortages of medical staff and supplies.
Residents from three villages in the Yapen Islands, Papua Province, have lodged a formal complaint with the Papua Representative Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) against PT Sinar Purna Karya (PT SPK).
Illegal mining operations have been discovered in Ajuda Village at the border of Intan Jaya Regency in Central Papua Province (Papua Tengah) with Waropen Regency, raising significant environmental and social …
Illegal mining operations threaten ecosystems in Papua Tengah Province Read More »
During a visit to Indonesia in March 2025, Amnesty International Secretary General, Mrs Agnes Callamard, issued a stark warning regarding the global rise in authoritarian practices is increasingly evident in Indonesia.
Between 27 March and 3 April 2025, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) launched a large-scale counterinsurgency operation in the Intan Jaya Regency,
On 30 March 2025, Indonesian military forces reportedly shot dead Mr Okto Zanambani, an indigenous resident of Janamba village, during an intensified counterinsurgency campaign in the districts of Hitadipa and Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province.
Human rights defender, Mr Marcho Pahabol, a member of the Justice Front for Tobias Silak (FJFTS) solidarity group, was subjected to a series of intimidation and violent attacks in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province
In several districts across West Papua, educational services are facing severe disruptions, with thousands of students unable to access basic education.
