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 2 November 2023, the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN Jayapura) rejected a lawsuit filed by the indigenous Awyu Tribe in Papua against PT Indo Asiana Lestari (PT IAL).
Indigenous communities in South Miyah District, Tambrauw Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province, are facing conflicts with companies involved in the West Papua trans road project. PT Volica won the tender for the project, while PT Kuyake Karya Membangun (KKM) serves as the implementing contractor.
The murder of Michelle Kurisi Doga in Papua on 28 August 2023, has sparked investigations and discussions concerning human rights violations, alleged involvement of military personnel, and potential political connections.
The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) of the West Balim Region has vehemently denied accusations made by the Papuan police regarding the murder of Michelle Kurisi Doga in Wamena.
The Democratic Alliance for Papua (AlDP) has conducted an investigation into the construction of a container port in Depapre, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, as part of President Joko Widodo’s Sea Toll policy.
On 16 October 2023, in Manokwari, West Papua Province, a resident named Melianus Iba was arrested for allegedly carrying out a shooting at an Indonesian Army Post in Aroba District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province, on 24 September 2023.
On 31 October 2023, investigators from the Jayapura Police in Papua Province took significant action by transferring Agus Kosay, Chairman of the West Papua National Coalition (KNPB), and Numbay Beny Murib, KNPB Secretary, to the Jayapura State Prosecutor’s Office.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) arbitrarily arrested Neos Bahabol, a 25-year-old Papuan motorcycle taxi driver, in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua. The arrest occurred without any clear justification.
The Indonesian government has announced its intention to designate the Merauke Food Estate in South Papua (Papua Selatan Province) as a Special Economic Zone (Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK)) to bolster food production and address potential food crises.
The meeting between Indonesian Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin and a group of human rights defenders and Papuan businessmen in Papua on 10 October 2023, has drawn criticism for being one-sided and failing to address the root issues of human rights violations in the region.
The trial of the accused perpetrators of the attack in Kramongmongga District, Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province, is currently under preparation, with considerations for the trial to be held either in West Papua or in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
On 14 December 2022, a tragic incident occurred at Kilometer 2 Kepi in Mappi Regency, South Papua Province, where nine civilians fell victim to a shooting incident. Despite the passage of ten months, this incident has not received a thorough investigation from either the police or the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).
The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is actively monitoring a series of cases that have unfolded in Idakebo village, North Kamuu district, Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua Province, on 13-14 July 2023.
Former Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, who was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison for bribery and gratification charges, is facing a critical health condition that has prompted calls for his medical treatment in Singapore.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has received information from the Regent of Yahukimo, Papua, regarding reports of Yahukimo residents dying due to starvation. According to the Regent of Yahukimo, there have been no starvation-related deaths, but there is indeed a shortage of food in the region.
The vice-regent of the Sorong Selatan Regency, Mr Alfons Sesa, reportedly ill-treated Mr Gad Gabriel Yandafli, the village chief of the Pusu Tiligum Village in the Klasafet, Sorong Regency, on 18 October 2023
HRM’s Papua Monitor Report for the third quarter of 2023 covers the events that happened from 1 July to 30 September 2023 in regard to the conflict situation and human rights violations in West Papua.
The Yahukimo Police are investigating the rape and murder of two Papuan women in a garden area near the Kampung Baru, Dekai District, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 11 October 2023. Both women belonged to an indigenous community of more than 500 people from the Kali Bonto Estuary, Dekai.
In May 2023, the police issued a Letter of Investigation Termination (SP3) for the case. The investigation did not bring any notable results. The perpetrator and the motive behind the attack remain unclear.
Five police officers have been sentenced to six months in prison for ill-treating and extorting Mr Ahmad Widodo in the town of Manokwar, Papua Barat Province.
