Trial update ‘Mutilation Case’: Major Dakhi sentenced to life imprisonment, other trials continue
On 24 January 2023, the panel of judges found Major (Inf) Helmanto Fransiskus Dakhi guilty and sentenced him to lifelong imprisonment.
West Papua
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.
Law 2/2021 on the second amendment of Law 21/2001 about the Special Autonomy of the Papua Province
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 …
Security forces continue deployments and raids in Maybrat Regency – At least one person arrested
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.
Police officers arbitrarily arrest 13 KNPB activists in Jayapura while distributing leaflets for peaceful protest
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.
Police officer opens fire from truck in Dogiyai Regency – two persons dead, at least two injured
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.
Press freedom in West Papua: Unknown perpetrators detonate a bomb in front of Victor Mambor’s house
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.
Trial Update: Prosecutor demands four-year imprisonment sentence for highest-ranking military member involved in killing and mutilation of four Papuans
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
Trial against human rights activist Victor Yeimo re-launched in Jayapura
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.
Human Rights Council calls for access to West Papua during UPR
On 9 November 2022, Indonesia was reviewed for a fourth time by the UN Human Rights Council’s (HRC) Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a review in which the members of the Human Rights Council discuss the overall human rights situation in Indonesia, including in West Papua. During the three hours session in Geneva, Indonesia presented its human rights record from the state’s perspective after it had submitted its national report for this review.
Arrest of Governor Enembe accompanied by civil unrest – one protester killed, nine injured, 19 arrested
The arrest of Papuan Governor, Lukas Enembe, on 10 January 2023 was accompanied by civil unrest in Jayapura, Papua Province. Police officers dispersed the crowd with firearms and teargas. One protester, Mr Ameleki Enumbi, was shot dead. Nine others were reportedly injured.
IDP Update 2022 – more than 60,000 IDPs in West Papua remain without government aid
As of December 2022, the government of Indonesia ignores the presence of more than 60,000 estimated internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the regencies Nduga, Puncak, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Pegunungan Bintang and Yahukimo
UN Recommendations and Observations on West Papua
This is a comprehensive compilation of recommendations and observations made by international mechanisms of the United Nations, the European Union and other bodies regarding the conflict and human rights situation …
UN Recommendations and Observations on West Papua Read More »
Caught on video: Police officer and son torture J&T employees in Wamena
A police officer and his son were caught on surveillance camera beating up multiple J&T employees in the town of Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, on 8 December 2022. The officer’s son beat at least four employees inside the J&T Express Office. The officer also punched one of the employees who defended himself against the attack and intimidated them with death threats.
New release: Joint Greenpeace-INDEF report reveals deforestation in West Papua
The Indonesian office of the environmental organisation Greenpeace together with the Institute for Development and Finance (INDEF), launched a new report on deforestation in West Papua.
Sorong, Papua Barat – 2 protesters arrested and crowd dispersed with tear gas during 1st Dec commemorations
Police officers arrested two protesters participating in peaceful commemorations of the 1st of December in Sorong, Papua Barat Province. The protesters had raised Morning Star Flags in public places. The police had increased its presence across Sorong since the early morning hours of 1 December 2022. Police officers arrested two protesters with the initials NY and MI in front of the Ramayana Mall, Klademak 3, where the Papuan Peoples’ Petition (PRP) had organised the peaceful assembly. They dispersed the crowd of about 100 people with teargas after one protester raised a Morning Star Flag.
Three persons injured, one killed by bullets in Tolikara – Komnas HAM should investigate
On 19 December 2022, officers of the Tolikaras District Police opened fire at a group of people who were allegedly trying to attack the police headquarters in Ampera, Karubaga town, Tolkara regency. Four people were wounded and one them died due to the bullet wound.
Ternate, Maluku Utara Province – eight arrested during 1st of Dec commemorations
Eight Papuan activists of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the solidarity groups Indonesian Peoples Front for West Papuan (FRI WP) as well as Liga of Indonesian Students for Democracy (LMID) were arrested near the Jatiland Mall in the city of Ternate on 1 December 2022. Police officers brought Jack (FRI-WP), Hengky (AMP), Dino (AMP), Susan (AMP), Malo (LMID), Kama (LMID), Rino, and Gelombang to the Ternate District Police headquarters for interrogation. All protesters were released without charges at 12:00 am. Police officers reportedly forced the protesters to sign a statement according to which they would refrain from commemorating the 1 December again.
Police officers arrest and torture two Papuans for carrying a toy gun in Nabire
Police officers arbitrarily arrested and tortured two Papuan university students with the initials DT and ET at the Samabusa Harbour in Nabire on 17 December 2022. The police claimed that DT and ET carried illegal firearms. DT and ET were reportedly tortured inside the police car on the way from the harbour to the Nabire District Police Headquarters and again during interrogation at the station.
Ten protesters arrested for commemorating 1st December
Police officers arrested ten protesters participating in peaceful commemorations of the 1st December in the cities Sorong, Papua Barat Province, and Ternate, Maluku Utara Province.
Wamena, Jayawijaya – 23 KNPB members arrested on 8 Dec. while promoting human rights day commemorations
The police in Wamena tried to prevent a demonstration commemorating Human Rights Day already in the planning stage. On 8 December 2022, police officers in multiple locations arrested 23 members of the West Papua National Coalition (KNPB), a movement organisation promoting the right to self-determination through peaceful action. They were distributing leaflets for the commemoration of Human Rights Day. The activists were shortly detained and interrogated at the Jayawijaya District Police Station.