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.
Since late 2024, a growing body of evidence surrounding the Merauke PSN has documented serious procedural violations, the dismantling of indigenous land rights, incidents of violence against community members who resist, and the systematic exclusion of affected communities from decision-making processes.
Over a three-month period spanning January to March 2026, multiple incidents across the Papua Provinces have raised serious concerns about the state of healthcare access for indigenous Papuans, not only in remote communities but also in urban areas.
The right to health in West Papua – Systemic barriers to adequate healthcare Read More »
On 25 March 2026, Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), members reportedly used excessive force against civilians during a community protest in Kaugapu Village, East Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in seven residents sustaining gunshot wounds from rubber bullets.
On 23 March 2026, Marine Corps (TNI AL) members arbitrarily detained Yuni Suhun, 23, and Mr Eliaton Wetapo, 31, at the marines’ post in the Kokamo Village, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province.
Military members arbitrarily detain and torture two KNPB activists in Dekai, Yahukimo Read More »
Members of a Marine Unit and the “Damai Cartens” task force arbitrarily detained Mr Yominus Sekenil, 35, and Mr Eliaton Wetapo, 31, near the Nami River gold panning site in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province, on 22 March 2026.
Police officers arrest two Papuan gold panners without warrant in Yahukimo Read More »
On 28 March 2026, officers of the Nabire Police Intelligence and Criminal Investigation Units intercepted a group of activists associated with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) following a peaceful fundraising activity at Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire Town.
Police officers allegedly intimidate activists following peaceful fundraising in Nabire Read More »
On 10 March 2026, Members of the Indonesian Marine Corps arbitrarily detained indigenous gold panner, Mr Anton Payage, at the Marine Corps post on Seradala Road near the Nami River gold panning site.
Military members detain gold panner without warrant in Dekai, Yahukimo Read More »
On 22 March 2026 at approximately 5:00 pm, military members and Marine Corps personnel reportedly detained seven Papuan civilians, primarily pupils, in the Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua province.
Arbitrary detention of seven pupils in Sinak, Puncak Regency Read More »
On 12 March 2026, Indonesian security forces arbitrarily apprehended Mr Oksal Kobak, 28, Mr Yos Payage, 36, Mr Simion Payage, 29, Mr Menase Heluka, and Mr Oser Kobak at the Old Sentani Market in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.
Between 31 March and 1 April 2026, joint Indonesian security forces (TNI–Polri) allegedly carried out indiscriminate shootings against civilians in the districts Kamu and East Kamu, Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua Province. The operations were conducted in response to the killing of a police officer earlier that morning. At least six indigenous Papuans were reportedly killed, while at least two others sustained gunshot injuries
On 23 March 2026, Joint security forces allegedly detained and tortured Mr Yenus Mohi,19, together with two other young men in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province.
On 28 March 2026, undercover police officers allegedly detained Mr Kenias Payage, 25, Mr Atera Payage, 20, and Mr Nerry Heluka, 21, without showing a warrant. They were intercepted at the Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.
Arbitrary detention of three Papuan youth at Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency Read More »
On 29 March 2026, plain-cloth-police officers arbitrarily detained 14-year-old Yerikson Nabyal in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province.
Plain-clothes officers arbitrarily detain minor in Yahukimo Regency Read More »
On 16 March 2026, sixteen-year-old Rio Keroman, and Mr Ferly Wesapla, 23, were arbitrarily detainted and subsequently tortured by Indonesian security personnel at the District Police stat5ion in Dekai (Polres Yahukimo).
On 13 March 2025, a 30 Indonesian Air Force (TNI AURI) personnel collectively tortured Mr Bernadus Eusebius Ndawe, a member of the Kimam indigenous tribe, near the Indonesian Air Force barracks complex (Rajawali/AURI complex) in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province.
Indonesian Air Force personnel torture indigenous Papuan in Merauke Regency Read More »
Between January and March 2026, human rights defenders and local media covered new internal displacements in West Papua due to new security force raids and the increasing presence of military personnel in the central highlands. As of 1 January 2026, more than 107,039 civilians across multiple regencies remained internally displaced due to military operations and armed conflict
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) has called on the Indonesian government to grant international observers access to West Papua, warning that ongoing military operations in the region are driving a mounting
On 23 March 2026, military personnel allegedly tortured Mr Yusup Sorry, 32, during detention following an armed clash between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
On 2 March 2026, joint security force personnel conducted a search operation in the Telkomsel housing complex in Duram District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua province
Arbitrary detention of two Papuan youth during raid in Duram District, Yahukimo Regency Read More »
On 17 March 2026 at approximately 10:00 am, joint security forces belonging to the Damai Cartenz Task Force arbitrarily detained 21-year-old Neri Balingga, a student at Cenderawasih University, on the Yahukimo–Pengunungan Bintang connecting road in the Nami village, Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province.
Arbitrary detention of student in Nami village, Seradala District Read More »
