Indonesia, West Papua – The World Council of Churches and Franciscans International, together with several partner organisations, convened a side event during the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 22 September, examining conditions one year into Indonesia's current administration. The event revealed serious violations affecting indigenous communities and activists across the country.
Binota Moy Dhamai from the expert mechanism on indigenous peoples' rights explained how the body provides guidance to the Human Rights Council and helps member states implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Jakarta protests met with deadly force
Wirya Adiwena from Amnesty International Indonesia described recent protests triggered by government corruption, excessive spending and economic hardship. The situation worsened after police killed a 21-year-old motorcyclist working as a taxi driver during a demonstration in Jakarta. His death intensified anger towards authorities.
Police responded with violence and systematic repression, which further increased public outrage. The crackdown reflected wider patterns of restricting civic freedoms and limiting assembly rights across Indonesia.
West Papua: Blocked recognition and environmental destruction
Dorthea (Defe) Wabiser from the Pusaka Foundation, which advocates for indigenous rights in Papua, presented evidence about 250 indigenous tribal groups in West Papua. Despite their presence and distinct cultures, official recognition remains blocked. Legislation designed to establish legal recognition of indigenous rights has sat in Parliament for fourteen years without progress.
Ten sugarcane companies operate across the region, driving large-scale rainforest destruction. The companies have destroyed sago palm trees, whose starch forms a key part of traditional West Papuan diets. This forces indigenous people to abandon traditional food systems, causing negative health impacts. Wabiser emphasised the vital connection between indigenous peoples' wellbeing and their ancestral lands and forests.
UN Rapporteur highlights invisibility of West Papua crisis
Dr Albert K. Barume, UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples' rights, recently visited West Papua unofficially. His findings identified the lack of formal recognition for indigenous peoples as a major concern. He presented his report to the Human Rights Council on 23 September, aiming to help states better understand indigenous rights obligations.
Dr Barume noted a stark contrast between international attention on Jakarta unrest and the systematic violations in West Papua, which remain invisible to global observers despite their severity.
Merauke project drives mass displacement
A joint statement co-sponsored by the World Council of Churches and delivered by Franciscans International raised urgent concerns about Indonesia's National Strategic Project in Merauke. The project is forcibly displacing indigenous Papuans from over 2 million hectares of customary land belonging to the Malind, Maklew, Khimaima and Yei tribes. More than 50,000 indigenous Papuans face negative consequences.
Authorities have issued business permits allowing private companies to take customary lands without obtaining free, prior and informed consent from affected communities. Military forces have been deployed to secure the project and restrict access.
Massive deforestation contradicts government claims
The Merauke project represents one of the world's largest active deforestation initiatives. Between January 2024 and June 2025, 22,272 hectares of natural ecosystems were destroyed for sugarcane and rice plantations, including 9,835 hectares of forest plus Melaleuca swamp, savanna and grassland.
This contradicts government promises that forest clearing would be minimised. The statement called for immediate re-evaluation of the National Strategic Project in Merauke, citing significant environmental destruction and severe harm to indigenous peoples.