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.
Indonesian security forces raided the village of Pamebut, Yugumuak District, in the early morning of 3 March 2023, killing one indigenous woman and injuring eight other villagers.
The West Papua Council of Churches (WPCC) published an open letter to the Indonesian Government and the West Papua National Liberation Army in February 2023.
Papuan lawyer and human rights defender, Mr Steven Peyon, working for the Sorong Legal Aid Institute (LBH), was assaulted by a dozen unknown perpetrators in front of SD Inpres 46 Elementary School in the Malanu Village, Sorong City, on 29 January 2023.
Joint security forces dispersed civil unrest in the Sinakma Village, Wamena Town, Jayawijaya Regency, on 23 February 2023. Video material and the high number of civilian fatalities strongly indicate that security forces used unnecessary disproportional force to disperse the crowd.
On 21 February 2023, Indonesian navy members tortured the indigenous Papuans, Mr Albertus Kaize, and his brother, Mr Daniel Kaize near the Wogekel Village, Ilwayab District of Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province. Mr Albertus Kaize (32 years) died as result of the injuries
On 21 February 2023, police officers opened fire at Mr Nopelian Egupa n the town of Nabire. The officers suspected him of being involved in the theft of a motorcycle which occurred shortly before the incident.
Police Mobile Brigade Special Unit tortured Mr Lamek Wayoken (45 years) on 4 February 2023 in front of his house in the Maam Village, Ngguti District, Merauke Regency.
Judges at the Sorong District Court handed down two more long-term prison sentences in relation to the alleged involvement in the attack against the Kisor Military Post in the Maybrat Regency on 2 September 2021.
On 15 February 2023, judges at the Military Court III-19 in Jayapura have found the four military members, Private Rahmat Amin Sese, Private Risky Oktav Muliawan, Private Robertus Putra Clinsman, and Private Pargo Rumbouw guilty of killing four indigenous Papuans and subsequently mutilating their bodies in the town of Timika on 22 August 2022.
Members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) captured New Zealand pilot, Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens, in the Paro District of Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 7 February 2023.
Two major developments with a significant effect on the human rights situation in West Papua throughout 2022 were, firstly, Jakarta’s plans to amend the Papuan special autonomy law and establish new provinces in West Papua. This has caused widespread rejection among indigenous Papuans. In July 2021, the central government unilaterally amended the Papuan Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law without the participation of the Papuan Peoples Assembly (MRP) and the provincial government. Secondly, the ongoing armed conflict in West Papua causes a climate of persistent violence, particularly in the conflict areas. Papuan human rights defenders kept reporting cases of torture, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances – many of such cases are directly related to armed conflict.
On 14 November 2022, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) published in a press release the success of a joint humanitarian pause in certain areas of Papua. One …
West Papua: Humanitarian pause not implemented after three months Read More »
On 24 January 2023, the panel of judges found Major (Inf) Helmanto Fransiskus Dakhi guilty and sentenced him to lifelong imprisonment.
LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA NUMBER 2 YEAR 2021 ON SECOND AMENDMENT TO LAW NUMBER 21 YEAR 2001 ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY FOR PAPUA PROVINCE BY THE GRACE OF …
On 18 January 2023, joint security forces carried out raids in the Maybrat Regency, Papua Barat Province, and arrested Mr Aberham Fatem in the Aisa Village.
On 22 January 2023, police officers arbitrarily arrested thirteen activists of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at the old market in Sentani, Jayapura Regency.
A police officer shot dead Mr Yulianus Tebai near Tugomani, a village in Dogiyai Regency, near the border to Nabire Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 21 January 2023.
Unknown perpetrators have placed a bomb directly in front of a house in Jayapura, Papua Province, owned by Papuan journalist Mr Victor Mambor on 23 January 2023.
Two separate trials against six Indonesian army members responsible for killing of four indigenous Papuans in the town of Timika, Papua Tengah Province, on 22 August 2022 continue
The trial against human rights activist and international spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Mr Victor Yeimo, was continued on 12 January 2023.
