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.
On 5 September 2023, the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) rejected a lawsuit filed by the palm oil companies PT Megakarya Jaya Raya and PT Kartika Cipta Pratama against the Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Mrs Siti Nurbaya Bakar.
The escalating conflict in the Yahukimo District, Papua Pegunungan Province, led to the internal displacement of 674 people on 21 August 2023.
On 05 September 2023, a panel of judges at the Military Oditur III-13 Denpasar acquitted Sergeant Vicente De Oliviara and Private Bahari Muhrim of their charges.
Police officers detained KNPB activsist Agus Kossay, Benny Murip, Ruben Wakla, and Ferry Yelipele in Sentani, West Papua, on 2 September 2023.
Greenpeace Indonesia has called upon the Provincial Governments in West Papua to commit to a low-carbon development plan in order to preserve natural forests sustainably in the region.
Three Papuan students reportedly faced acts of intimidation and racial discrimination during the Judicium event at the university in Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat Province, on 1 August 2023.
A case of corruption and misconduct involving prosecutors and administrative officers at the Manokwari District Attorney’s Office in the Papua Barat Province showcases persistent shortcomings in the Indonesian justice system. The incident came to light through a video that went viral on social media platforms.
Joint security forces reportedly raided residential houses near the Kali Bonto Estuary in the district of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 21 August 2023.
A second military trial against two of the four perpetrators of the extra-judicial execution of Mr Eden Bebari and Mr Ronny Wandik in the Mimika Regency in April 2020 is currently taking place at the Military Oditur III-13 Denpasar. The trial against the other two perpetrators ended in July 2023 with a guilty verdict and sentences of six and seven years. The defendants in the second trial, Sergeant Vicente De Oliviara and Private Bahari Muhrim, both members of the Yonif Raider 900/SBW Unit, face charges related to murder and the use of violence resulting in death.
The Cooperation Team for the Prevention of Torture (KuPP) recently visited eight places of detention in West Papua, focusing on structural improvements and efforts to prevent torture.
A year after the tragic murder and mutilation of four Papuan civilians from the Nduga District in Timika. The victims’ relatives commemorated the event in prayer and released a press statement.
Human rights observers have expressed concerns regarding a series of security force raids in the Gome District, Puncak Regency, on 15 August 2023.
On 1 August 2023, the Intan Jaya district government officially opened flights in order to return people from Intan Jaya who fled to Nabire, Paniai and Timika away from the armed conflict between the Indonesian military and the TPNPB, which has been ongoing since December 2019.
The work of Mr Aleks Waine, a Papuan journalist who is also the coordinator of the Dogiyai Journalists Association (AWD), to cover the working visit of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) in Dogiyai district, Central Papua Province, on 20 July 2023 was blocked by members of the Dogiyai Regional Police.
On 12 August 2023, Police officers arrested 21 KNPB activists at the junction near Pasar Lama in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. The arrests occurred around 10:30 AM while the KNPB activists distributed leaflets inviting participation to a peaceful demonstration on 15 August 2023.
On 14 August 2023, police officers arbitrarily arrested 16 KNPB members at Baliem Road, the BRI Bank Branch intersection in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. The arrests took place at 11:20 AM, as they were intending to participate in a funeral.
On 8 August 2023, the Jayapura District Court found the three students, Mr Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Mr Devio Tekege, and Mr Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere, guilty of treason.
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.
