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.
At least 37 supporters of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were reportedly arrested and 16 tortured in relation to peaceful demonstrations held in the towns Sentani, Jayapura Regency, and Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, on 14 and 15 August 2023
Human Rights Monitor’s latest 49-page report delves deep into Indonesian forces’ systematic attacks on indigenous West Papua villages, highlighting potential crimes against humanity. Satellite imagery reveals 206 destroyed buildings and the displacement of over 2,000 indigenous Ngalum locals. With international attention urgently needed, the report questions Indonesia’s compliance with international humanitarian law.
On 5 July 2023, two months after judges at the Jayapura District Court sentenced Papuan activist and human rights defender Victor Yeimo to eight months imprisonment for other charges but not for treason, a panel of judges of the Jayapura High Court in its appeal decision, stated that Mr Yeimo was proven to have committed treason and sentenced him to one year in prison.
HRM’s Papua Monitor Report for the second quarter of 2023 covers the events that happened from 1 April to 30 June 2023 regarding the conflict situation and human rights in West Papua.
A military member allegedly killed twenty-six-year-old Mr Markus Kamisopa in the town of Timika, Papua Tengah Province, on 2 August 2023.
Recent military tribunals related to the enforced disappearance and execution of indigenous Papuans in the regencies Intan Jaya and Mimika illustrate the pressing issue of accountability and impunity in West Papua. The failure to detain defendants and the leniency of sentences in cases of violence against civilians perpetuate a climate of impunity.
On the night of 8 April 2023, five police members tortured Mr Ahmad Widodo in the town of Manokwari, Papua Barat Province. The officers saw Mr Widodo riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.
A series of alarming events unfolded in the Dogiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 13 July 2023. the incidents unveiled a disturbing pattern of unlawful shootings and outbreaks of horizontal violence.
The journalist Abdel Gamel Naser was allegedly intimidated by police officers while reporting on the destruction of mangrove forests in the Youtefa Bay Nature Park conservation area in Jayapura, Papua Province, on 11 July 2023
Police officers arrested Mr Asom Giban, while walking with his daughter at the Sinakma Market, Jayawijaya Regency, on 12 July 2023.
On 5 July 2023, four armed plainclothes police officers forcefully arrested Mr Viktor Makamuke, a 52-year-old ULMWP activist, and subsequently detained him at the Sorong Selatan District Police Station.
Members of the Yahukimo District police arbitrarily arrested six activists belonging to the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in the town of Dekai on 6 July 2023.
The Legal Aid Agency Talenta Keadilan Papua has filed a complaint regarding the killing and mutilation of Mrs Tarina Murib in the Yugumuak District, Puncak Regency, on 3 March 2023 to the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission.
On 4 July 2023, an indigenous woman, Mrs. Dilagalu Hagisimijau, was injured by bullets duirng an armed clash in the Intan Jaya Regency.
On 4 July 2023, UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, (see photo on top, source: screenshot) in her opening remarks during the 22nd Meeting, 53rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, expressed concerns regarding the human rights situation in the easternmost provinces in Indonesia.
On 5 May 2023, Five Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council wrote to the Indonesian government regarding cases of violence including extrajudicial killings in West Papua. We …
Five UN Special Procedures raise killings of indigenous Papuans Read More »
Ongoing armed clashes between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) have caused the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to rise while at the same time preventing them from safely returning to their homes.
Mr Haris Azhar (Founder of Lokataru) and Ms Fatia Maulidiyanti (Coordinator of KontraS) have been facing legal proceedings for alleged defamation against Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mr Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, since 2021. The trial of the criminalisation case against Fatia and Haris entered the stage of examining the reporting witness, namely Mr Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, on 8 June 2023.
On 14 June 2023, judges at the Sorong District Court found the defendants, Mr Elias Wetipo, Mr Marthen Samonsabra Oiwari, and Mr. Yoran Pahabol, guilty of treasonous acts. They were sentenced to prison for delivering peaceful speeches and displaying banners with the Morning Star symbol at the airport in Sorong on 13 September 2022.
Judges at the Makassar District Court in Manokwari found three Papuan defendants guilty of treason and criminal conspiracy against the state as stipulated under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) and Article 110 KUHP. Mr Kostan Karlos Bonay (85 years), Mr Andreas Sanggenafa (65 years), and Mr Hellesvred Bezalle Soleman Waropen (55 years) were sentenced to two years imprisonment each.
