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.

Three students tried under treason charges for launching peaceful assembly inside Jayapura University

In early April 2023, three Papuan students were tried under treason charges at the Jayapura Ditrict Court for participating in the peaceful assembly and raising the Morning Star flag at the USTJ campus in Jayapura. Police officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful protest by Papuan university students at the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) and arrested fifteen students on 10 November 2022. One detainee was reportedly torture on 8 December during detention.

New internal displacement in West Papua as armed clashes intensify throughout March 2023

The armed conflict in West Papua has significantly intensified throughout March 2023, causing new internal displacements in the region. The military is proceeding with the central government’s plan to increase social interaction with indigenous Papuans in remote parts of West Papua. Military personnel are targeting schools in particular, where they can make contact with the Papuan youth.

Internal Displacement and arbitrary arrests due to armed conflict in Yahukimo Regency

New armed clashes in the Dekai District of Yahukimo Regency erupted after TPNPB fighters killed an Indonesian migrant on 20 February 2023. Multiple attacks against security force members followed. Following the attacks, joint members of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and the 1715 Yahukimo Military command conducted raids in the district of Dekai and the surrounding area. The raids were accompanied by 22 arbitrary arrests of indigenous Papuans.

Victor Yeimo’s treason trial was postponed due to prosecutor’s absence

The panel of judges at the Jayapura District Court postponed the trial on charges of treason against the international spokesman for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Victor Yeimo on 20 March 2023. At the hearing on 20 March was scheduled an expert testimony to be presented by the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition as Victor Yeimo’s legal counsel.

Leader of Woro clan, Awyu people, files lawsuit concerning palm oil company PT IAL permits

Hendrikus ‘Franky’ Woro, an environmental defender from the Awyu tribe, accompanied by the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH) filed a lawsuit at the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN) concerning an environmental permit issued for palm oil company PT Indo Asiana Lestari (PT IAL) by the Papuan Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Office (DPMPTSP).