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.
Raider 303/SSM Sinak military command members reportedly opened fire at Rev Paniur Tabuni (40 years) and his three children while hunting in the Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 5 May 2023
A group of police officers allegedly beat three Papuan students in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, on 5 May 2023. Two of the beatings were caught on camera.
Judges at the Jayapura District Court sentenced Papuan activist and human rights defender Victor Yeimo to eight months imprisonment on 5 May 2023.
Almost three months after West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) members captured New Zealand pilot, Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens, TPNPB spokesperson Mr Sebby Sambom circulated a press release and new …
A widespread security operation was reportedly launched in Intan Jaya on 11 April 2023 in the districts Sugapa, Hitadipa and Agisiga. Indonesian military reportedly raided the villages Eknemba, Munimai, Danggoa, Mbamogo, Ndugusiga, Titigi, and Tousiga. Local observers claim that security forces set at least 29 residential houses and a church in the villages of Munimai and Danggoa on fire.
Indonesian security forces have intensified operations in various conflict areas in West Papua. According to information received, security force members raided villages and set residential houses on fire. The raids reportedly occurred in the conflict hotspots in West Papua, predominantly in the regencies, Puncak, Nduga, and Intan Jaya,
Military members reportedly opened fire at a group of indigenous Papuans from the Yugur Village in the Nduga Regency on 6 April 2023.
Police officers arbitrarily arrested 54 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and supporters in the city of Jayapura and the neighbouring town of Sentani, Jayapura District, between 8 and 11 April 2023
A security force member allegedly shot dead Mr Step Wiling while standing on the roadside of the Trans Wamena-Kurulu road in the Mulima Village, Libarek District, on 10 April 2023.
In early April 2023, three Papuan students were tried under treason charges at the Jayapura Ditrict Court for participating in the peaceful assembly and raising the Morning Star flag at the USTJ campus in Jayapura. Police officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful protest by Papuan university students at the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) and arrested fifteen students on 10 November 2022. One detainee was reportedly torture on 8 December during detention.
On 3 April 2023, Mr Elias Douw, an indigenous Papuan journalist working for the local media outlets Tabloid Daerah and Wagadei online media, was reportedly prevented by police officers from covering a trial District Court in the town of Nabire, Papua Tengah Province.
Thirteen Papuan students have sustained bruises and injuries after being attacked by Garuda Nusantara Patriots (PGN) members during a peaceful assembly on 1 April 2023 in the city of Denpasar, Bali Province. The PGN is one of many nationalist groups in Indonesia promoting pro-government values and state ideologies.
On 7 March 2023, a member of the Jagebob Sub-district police reportedly tortured Mr Awang Kristian Irawan, a teacher at SD Inpres Jagebob 6 in the village of Jagebob Raya, Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province
The armed conflict in West Papua has significantly intensified throughout March 2023, causing new internal displacements in the region. The military is proceeding with the central government’s plan to increase social interaction with indigenous Papuans in remote parts of West Papua. Military personnel are targeting schools in particular, where they can make contact with the Papuan youth.
New armed clashes in the Dekai District of Yahukimo Regency erupted after TPNPB fighters killed an Indonesian migrant on 20 February 2023. Multiple attacks against security force members followed. Following the attacks, joint members of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and the 1715 Yahukimo Military command conducted raids in the district of Dekai and the surrounding area. The raids were accompanied by 22 arbitrary arrests of indigenous Papuans.
The panel of judges at the Jayapura District Court postponed the trial on charges of treason against the international spokesman for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Victor Yeimo on 20 March 2023. At the hearing on 20 March was scheduled an expert testimony to be presented by the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition as Victor Yeimo’s legal counsel.
Yayasan Pusaka Bentala Rakyat recorded that by the end of 2022, there was deforestation covering an area of 19,426 hectares in Papua, which occurred as a result of logging and palm oil plantation business activities. “According to our year-end records in 2022, deforestation in Papua was observed at 19,426 hectares.
Hendrikus ‘Franky’ Woro, an environmental defender from the Awyu tribe, accompanied by the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH) filed a lawsuit at the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN) concerning an environmental permit issued for palm oil company PT Indo Asiana Lestari (PT IAL) by the Papuan Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Office (DPMPTSP).
Joint Security forces shot dead Enius Tabuni during a firefight with members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Yenggernok Village, Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 22 March 2023.
On 6 March 2023, the case file for alleged defamation charges faced by woman human rights defenders Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar was declared complete and handed over to the Attorney’s Office.
