Arnold Belau, Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) reports that on April 12 district police arrested 15 KNPB activists and vandalised the KNPB secretariat in Kaimana district, West P

Demonstrations in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua have been taking place in cities across Indonesia's Papua region today.

Nethy Dharma Somba – A number of liquor businesspeople in Jayapura, Papua, are protesting Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe's policy to ban the distribution of alcoholic beverages in the province.

A coalition of rights groups demanded on Tuesday that the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) remain calm over the simultaneous rallies planned in seven cities across Papua on Wednesd

Edo Karensa, Jayapura – Eleven activists were arrested when a peaceful rally in support of full membership for the Papua independence movement in the Melanesian Spearhead Group was interrupted by p

Benny Mawel, Jayapura, Indonesia – Peaceful demonstrations supporting Papuan independence were held in several parts on the predominantly Christian Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua Apri

No. 792/SK-RILIS/IV/2016

A delegation from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands has made a trip to West Papua, visiting the Catholic faithful in Jayapura.

Indonesia's government has been increasing efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with Pacific Island countries as it seeks to become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

A Catholic Women's group in West Papua has called for regional support for their people's plight, after a visit to the Indonesian territory by Catholic Bishops from other parts of Melanesia.

Jayapura, Jubi – Dozens of civil society organisations comprising elements of the labour, student, women's, urban poor and other social movements support the Papuan people's right to freedom of exp

Indonesia's leading human rights organisation says there has been no improvement in the area of rights in the Papua region since president Joko Widodo took office in 2014.

There are more questions over the motive behind Indonesia's bid to become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) condemns the forced dispersal of peaceful protesters and their illegal arrest in Kampung Bhintuka-SP13 field in Mimika, Timika district, Papua on Tuesday, 5

Jayapura, Jubi – The biggest challenge to the Regional Regulation on Liquor Restriction is its implementation, an observer at the Cenderawasih University, Marinus Yaung, said.

The chairman of Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Allan Navuki says his association's position to push for West Papua's full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group has not waned.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says Papua remains an issue for the wider Melanesian region despite Indonesia's efforts to internalise it.

A Papuan political activist has been detained as a result of his peaceful political activities. The activist has been charged with the "rebellion (makar)" and could face up to life imprisonment.

The Australia West Papua Association condemns the intimidation of members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) on the 5th April.

Jakarta – At least 12 activists of pro-independence group the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, were detained after a rally turned violent in Kampung Bhintuka-SP13 field in Mimika, Timika dis

Donny Andhika Mononimbar, Jakarta – Indonesia should have a larger presence in the South Pacific, as parts of the archipelago share the same cultural values with Melanesia, a top minister said.

The 'Free West Papua Campaign' is asking Internet users to post photos supporting the hashtag #LetWestPapuaVote.

Jayapura, Jubi – A visit by Coordinating Minister for Security, Legal and Political Affairs Luhut Panjaitan to Fiji ostensibly to deliver the Indonesian government's aid to Fiji Prime Minister Fran

Jayapura – Papuan activists met with US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake in the provincial capital on Tuesday to discuss human rights, politics and US-owned Freeport Indonesia.

Punks For West Papua deals with the ongoing West Papuan genocide. Can you give a brief rundown of the conflict for those who might not be aware of the tragedy?

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has objected to a move by Indonesia to commission an envoy to the Pacific on behalf of its Melanesian population.

Port Moresby, PNG – The Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has supported Indonesia to get the status of associative member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and later become a full member i

The Pacific Conference of Churches says donors and foreign governments must treat victims of disaster with dignity and not attach conditions to relief efforts.

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has finished a major part of an initial project to construct the 4,325 kilometer trans-Papua highway in the country's easternmost regi

Jayapura, Jubi – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said a military operation was a last resort for to overcome the insurgency in Papua.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura, Papua – The noken voting system will be still used in regional elections in Papua, as the social custom of the Papuan people, which has been passed across generations,

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Alcohol distribution and production are officially prohibited in Papua province starting Thursday to save Papuans from the disastrous effects of alcohol consumption,

Tama Salim, Suva – Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan on Wednesday said he would propose assigning an official from the Foreign Ministry to engage with the

Antara & Yuliawati, Jakarta, Indonesia CNN – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, took a pilgrimage to the tomb of Papuan leader Theys Eluay

Wamena, Jubi – Human rights activists criticized law enforcement operation plans in 'red triangle' regions of Puncak, Puncak Jaya and Lanny Jaya regencies by security forces.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua councilor Laurenzus Kadepa criticized the Jayapura Municipal Police for not allowing the students of Cenderawasih University to conduct a peaceful rally against a minister's

Maire Leadbeater – It is great to watch the Solomon Islands establishing itself as a champion of human rights for West Papua.

In Jakarta, the Foreign Minister will meet with her Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Retno Maraud, and other senior ministers.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura, Papua – A member of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) from the Hanura Party, Yan Mandenas, said the noken voting system implemented in the Pegunungan Tengah mountai

Jakarta – Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Thursday that armed rebels have no place in the country, including those attempting to free Papua from Indonesia, because allowing th

Solomon Islands has raised concern about human rights violations in the Indonesian Province of West Papua at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Hipolitus Yolisandry Ringgi Wangge & Djali Gafur – Far from bringing them closer together, Papua's integration into Indonesia in 1969 was a controversial and deeply flawed process that has driv

Flori Geong, Wamena, Indonesia – When nurse Geno Wetipo first visited Samenage in Indonesia's Papua province in December 2013, she recalled seeing thin-limbed children with distended bellies.

Solomon Islands has raised concern about human rights violations in the Indonesian Province of West Papua at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Jakarta – The West Papuan National Liberation Army, or WPNLA, has claimed responsibility for a shooting attack in Punck district, Papua, on Tuesday (15/03) at a construction site of the government'

Jakarta – The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) has suggested that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo appoint a special envoy to prepare a dialogue aimed at pursuing peace in the easternmost regi

Ina Parlina, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has stepped up efforts to develop Papua and is asking the military and the police to adopt a soft approach there.

Cypri Jehan Paju Dale, Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian Father John Djonga has continually found himself in trouble with security forces in West Papua.

Tevita Vuibau – The MSG says while it respects the sovereignty of Indonesia over West Papua, it will still vigorously pursue the reports of the violation of human rights in the country that is stru

Mark Bowling – Allegations of recent military and police intimidation, beatings and torture, kidnapping and murder in West Papua, have been documented in a new Church report.