Indonesia, West Papua – The Forum for Communication and Aspirations of the Papuan People (FOR PAPUA MPR RI), comprising members of both the Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) and National Parliament (DPR RI), has issued urgent calls for the Indonesian government to abandon its security-based approach to the ongoing armed conflict in West Papua.
In an official statement released on 27 May 2025 (see photo on top, source: Kompas), the parliamentary forum expressed grave concern over escalating violence in Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, and Nduga regencies, where armed conflict between security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. The forum emphasized that the current security-focused approach has proven ineffective and has exacerbated the conditions of civilian populations, calling for immediate policy evaluation and cessation of military operations that have only added to civilian trauma and suffering.
FOR PAPA MPR RI's recommendations include immediate evaluation of current policies, cessation of militaristic approaches, and development of measured, planned responses addressing root causes rather than symptoms. The forum emphasizes the need for coordinated action among all relevant ministries, including Home Affairs, Defense, Law and Human Rights, alongside the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) to ensure aligned visions and policies. They stress that uncoordinated handling has exacerbated ground conditions and that the West Papua issue cannot be resolved unilaterally but requires cross-sectoral and inter-institutional cooperation.
The forum's intervention represents a significant attempt by Papuan representatives within Indonesia's constitutional framework to shift conflict management from short-term security measures toward comprehensive dialogue that addresses historical grievances, though questions remain about whether the central government will embrace this parliamentary initiative or continue prioritizing military solutions over the humanitarian imperative to protect displaced civilians and create conditions for lasting peace.
The parliamentary initiative reflects growing frustration with the government's handling of the West Papua conflict – Papuan political figures like Laurenzus Kadepa argue that legislative bodies should take the lead in formulating solutions rather than waiting for presidential directives. Kadepa urged the parliamentary forum to proactively develop concrete resolution formats in coordination with governors, regents, mayors, traditional leaders, community leaders, church representatives, and activists who understand the local conditions. He emphasized that the forum was created to assist the government in conflict resolution.
The calls for dialogue-based solutions gain additional urgency from religious leaders and civil society organizations documenting the human cost of continued military operations. The Papuan Council of Churches (DGP), led by Moderator Rev. Dr. Benny Giay, has called for immediate cessation of military operations and peaceful negotiations, including ending exploitation of natural resources like the Wabu Block in the conflict-affected Intan Jaya Regency. Rev. Giay alleged that certain government factions deliberately maintain conflict conditions. He cited Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) research from 2004-2008 that identified four root causes of the West Papua issue, arguing that these underlying problems have been deliberately maintained to justify continued military operations rather than addressing legitimate grievances through peaceful means.