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 1 December 2024, police officers searched the Paniai Male Student Dormitory in Nabire following a morning worship service commemorating the 1st of December. However, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police forces entered the dormitory, and arrested eleven students without providing a warrant
On 1 December 2024, 188 students gathered at the Kamasan 1 Papuan Dormitory in Yogyakarta to participate in a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the 1st December. The protest began at 10:40 AM, with participants giving speeches as they departed the dormitory.
On 2 December 2024, The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) held a peaceful demonstration in Makassar, South Sulawesi, to commemorate the 63rd Papua Independence Day.
Protests by Papuan students in the cities of Yogyakarta, Java Tengah Province, and Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan Province) were forcefully dispersed by police officers on 1 and 2 December 2024
This comprehensive research report, compiled in 2024 and published in early 2025, reveals evidence of widespread, systematic attacks against indigenous civilians during security force operations in Indonesia’s Papua Tengah Province in April 2023.
Human Rights Monitor’s latest report reveals evidence of widespread and systematic attacks against indigenous civilians in Indonesia’s Papua Tengah Province during security force operations in April 2023. The investigation documents extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, killings, and mass displacement that may constitute crimes against humanity.
On 1 November 2024, the Supreme Court of Indonesia rejected the cassation appeal filed by Mr Hendrikus Franky Woro, an environmental advocate and member of the indigenous Awyu tribe, regarding the environmental feasibility permit granted to PT Indo Asiana Lestari (IAL).
On 24 December 2024, Mr Febrian Agapa, 20, was seriously injured after being shot at close range by the driver of a vehicle from a convoy escorted by security forces.
On 20 December 2024, environmental activist Sulfianto Alias was beaten by a group of individuals in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province.
On 29 December 2024, Mr Rabin Marselino Yarangga, a journalist, was attacked by a mob and later tortured by police officers during detention at the Sorong Police Station.
A shooting incident involving the Indonesian military (TNI) occurred in Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua (Papua tengah) Province, on 16 December 2024, leaving three civilians injured.
Sergeant First Class Marius Bernadus Mabur (SFC MM), a member of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), has been accused of burning his wife, Elis Agustina Yotha, alive, resulting in her death.
Human rights defenders allege that members of the Yonif 509/BY military unit tortured 16-year-old Yulianus Abugau in the Mamba Village, Sugapa District, on 8 December 2024.
As of December 2024, more than 85,295 people in West Papua [1] remain internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). Between October and December 2024, new internal displacements reportedly occurred in the regencies of Tambrauw and Pegunungan Bintang.
Military members reportedly tortured Mr Meki Pekei in the Deiyai Regency, in the late afternoon of 27 November 2024. Mr Pekei was admitted to the hospital on the same day to receive medical treatment.
The Papuan People’s Front Against Transmigration (FRPAT) officially registered the protest on 12 November, as required under national law. In the early morning of 15 November 2024, protesters gathered peacefully in the Jepara 1 area.
The protesters in Jayapura City gathered in various locations on 15 November 2024. In Expo Waena and the Abepura Roundabout, protesters were forcibly dispersed by the authorities using water cannons, tear gas, wooden sticks, and rubber ammunition around 8:30 am.
On 15 November 2024, thousands of Papuans went to the streets after the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) called for peaceful Papua-wide demonstrations against the central Government’s plan to relaunch the transmigration program, with West Papua being one of the target areas.
The Indonesian military continues to intensify its operations in West Papua, leading lately to increased displacement of indigenous communities and severe human rights abuses. Recent reports from the conflict-ridden region of Intan Jaya in Papua province have raised serious concerns about the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire between the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
On 16 October 2024, in the early hours of the morning, an attack targeted the Jubi editorial office, a prominent media house in Jayapura, Papua, known for its coverage of human rights and environmental issues. Around 3:15 a.m. local time, two individuals riding a motorcycle threw Molotov cocktails into the office yard, setting ablaze two operational vehicles,
