Military members alleged of torturing four Papuan students after finding ammunition
On 1 February 2024, four students from Hitadipa were arrested in the Sugapa District on their way back home from Nabire to participate in the upcoming election
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.
KNPB activists found guilty – Mr Agus Kosay sentenced to 1 year, Mr Beni Murib sentenced to 10 months imprisonment
On 1 February 2024, the Jayapura District Court ruled on the case of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Chairman, Mr Agus Kosay, and KNPB Numbay Secretary, Mr Beni Murib, finding them guilty of incitement and persecution related to the persecution
Police prevent ULMWP Worship ceremony in Jayapura
On 7 February 2024, the police intervened to disrupt a thanksgiving service and inauguration of the working structure of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in Jayapura City, Papua Province.
West Papua: Landslides in regencies Intan Jaya and Puncak Jaya destroy houses and gardens
Heavy rain caused landslides in the regencies Intan Jaya and Puncak Jaya, Papua Tengah Province, destroying residential houses, livestock, and gardens.
Intimidation of Papuan human rights defender in Nabire Town
On the evening of 27 January 2024, Papuan human rights defender, Mr Yones Douw observed unusual lights coming from a flying object above his house. He identified the device as a spy drone. It continued to hover over Mr Douw’s house until approximately 12:10 am.
Security forces kill two Papuans and injure indigenous women during raids in Intan Jaya – about 4,400 residents displaced
Human rights observers have expressed concerns regarding a series of armed clashes in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, from 19 to 24 January 2024, which resulted in two Papuan men killed and one Papuan woman injured by joint security forces.
Maybrat Regional Secretary says IDPs should return home, claiming Maybrat to be safe
On the 11th of January, an important gathering took place at the Intipura Complex in Sorong Regency, West Papua. The event was themed “Face-to-Face Meeting of the West Papua Police Chief with the Maybrat Refugee Community in Sorong Regency,” aimed at addressing the concerns of the Maybrat refugee community
Forgotten People of Maybrat – A report on the humanitarian crisis in the Maybrat Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province
Updated information that reached the Human Rights Monitor in December 2023 indicates that the conflict and humanitarian situation in Maybrat has again deteriorated. First, the armed conflict situation in Maybrat throughout 2023 appeared to be under control. HRM documented two armed attacks between January and October 2023, resulting in the death of one security force officer in the Aifat Timur Tengah District.
Military member kills Papuan man in Namblong, Jayapura – 958 non-Papuan residents evacuated in fear of ethnic violence
A military member reportedly killed Mr Daud Bano, 35, in the Karya Bumi Besum Village, Namblong District, in the Jayapura Regency on 1 January 2024.
Supreme Court rejects appeal of military members accused in Mimika mutilation case
The Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia rejected the cassation filed by four TNI soldiers accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency. The cassation decision is contained in Decision Number 291 K / Mil / 2023 of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia.
PPHAM holds meeting without involving the families of victims of past gross human rights violations
The Indonesian government has been addressing past human rights violations, including the Wamena case from 4 April 2003, through non-judicial means, but without engaging with the victims’ families.
KNPB again faces police obstruction in the Mamberamo Tengah Regency.
On 1 December 2023, as KNPB activists were preparing banners to commemorate the “Papuan Independence Day”, the police led by the Mamberamo Tengah District Police Chief (Kapolres) arrived with complete equipment, under the command of the Deputy Chief of Police of Papua.
KNPB faces police obstruction as it prepares for its 15th-anniversary celebration
According to the information received, members and activists were busy setting up the stage in front of the KNPB Mamberamo Tengah Secretariat. Around 3:40 PM, a joint police and military force comprising TNI and POLRI, led by the district police chief of Mamberamo Tengah, arrived at the KNPB secretariat.
Haris and Fatia found not guilty and acquitted of charges – Prosecutor appeals against verdict
On 8 January 2024, judges at the Jakarta Timur District Court ruled that the Indonesian human rights defenders Fatia Maulidyanti and Haris Azhar were acquitted of defamation charges in the trial against the incumbent minister for investment and maritime affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
Death of Papuan Governor Enembe followed by civil unrest and outbreaks of ethnic tensions
The death of Papuan Governor Enembe was followed by civil unrest and outbreaks of ethnic tensions in the city of Jayapura on 28 December 2023
Maladministration results in lack of medication in Deiyai Regency
Human rights defenders have reported a lack of medication at the hospital in December 2023 due to maladministration.
Public hospital and Puskesmas in Nduga indefinitely closed
The Nduga Regional General Hospital (RSUD) and the Kenyam Health Centre (Puskesmas) have ceased operations due to the non-payment of health workers’ honorarium for five months, from July to November 2023
Defending Democracy: Journalists in West Papua strive for Press Freedom
The Papuan Media Legal Aid Institute (LBH Pers Papua) say that journalists in West Papua face three prevalent types of violence, nemely, threats, intimidation, and physical violence.
Timika, Papua Selatan Province, Human Rights Day 10 Dec. – Police violence and arbitrary arrests
In Timika, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Timika University Students, the Independent Forum of West Papua Students (FIMWP), and Papuan Voices, all members of the Solidarity Movement Against Investment …
Manokwari, Papua Barat Province, Human Rights Day 10 Dec. – Police violence and arbitrary arrests
In the town of Manokwari, a demonstration in commemoration of the Human Rights Day led to a confrontation between police and protestors in the Amban area. The police forcefully dispersed the protesters with teargas grenades and water cannons