Indonesia, West Papua – People across West Papua have been protesting against the growing militarisation and ongoing expansion of military operations in the Papuan central highlands.
Between late October and early November 2025, Papuans in the towns of Nabire, Enarotali, Sugapa, and Jayapura went to the streets to protest against the central Government's approach to settling the longstanding conflict in West Papua through the expansion of military presence and military operations, which are frequently accompanied by extra-judicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and ill-treatment of civilians.
Most victims are indigenous Papuans, caught in the crossfire between the military and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), or being executed or tortured because security forces suspect them of being associated with the TPNPB.
The central Government has been ignoring the people's call to put an end to the military expansion in West Papua. As a former military general under the military dictator Suharto, President Prabowo Subianto continues the path of his predecessors, pursuing a security-based approach to end the armed conflict in West Papua through violent means. Meanwhile, calls for peaceful dialogue keep emerging from cultural and political institutions in West Papua.
In late June 2025, 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), issued urgent calls for the Indonesian government to abandon its security-based approach to the ongoing armed conflict in West Papua. Following the Soanggama tragedy in October 2025 that reportedly killed 12 civilians and 3 TPNPB members, the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) and political figures urged President Subianto to enter into dialogue to prevent further civilian casualties. Papua lawmaker, Mr Laurenzus Kadepa, called on the president to address the root causes of Papua's 60-year conflict, including political status issues, human rights violations, discrimination against indigenous Papuans, and failed development policies.
Churches in West Papua expressed similar demands. Bishop Bernardus Baru has initiated nine consecutive days of mass for peace and called for an end to armed violence and the deployment of non-organic troops to West Papua.
Enarotali Town, Paniai
On 31 October 2025, thousands of people in Paniai Regency staged a peaceful demonstration in Enarotali Town to reject the deployment of non-organic military forces to the districts of Ekadide and Agadide. Participants marched to the Paniai Regional People's Representative Council office carrying banners reading "Stop Militarisation in Mee Land" and "We Want Peace, Not Weapons." Community leaders emphasized that they do not reject the state but oppose violence, arguing that the military presence contradicts Papua's Special Autonomy principles, which should prioritize humanitarian approaches and dialogue over armed deployment.
The protest was triggered by the arrival of hundreds of fully armed Navy Marines in the Ekadide District on 28 October 2025. The soldiers reportedly occupied public facilities, including health centers, district offices, and residential areas. According to local informants, public services had completely stopped after the deployments, with schools and health centers no longer operating. The protesters, inter alia, demanded the immediate withdrawal of non-organic troops and a stop to the formation of new military posts. They condemned the use of public facilities by security forces and urged a shift toward humanitarian, educational, and economic approaches instead of militarisation.
Sugapa Town, Intan Jaya
On 28 October 2025, thousands of indigenous Papuans from various ethnic groups in Intan Jaya Regency staged a peaceful demonstration at the Regent's Office in Bilogai, Sugapa District (see photo on top, source: independent HRD), to protest five years of violent conflict. The demonstration was triggered by a massacre of 12 civilians during a military operation in the Soanggama Village on 15 October 2025. Witnesses reported that Rajawali Task Force units gathered villagers in the courtyard of Soanggama Catholic Church, separated residents based on their appearance, and executed suspected individuals without proper legal proceedings. Soldiers allegedly buried the bodies in mass graves.
The protestors presented ten demands to the Indonesian government, with the primary call for President Prabowo to immediately withdraw non-organic military forces from Intan Jaya and throughout West Papua. Other demands included thorough and independent investigations into the alleged execution of civilians in Soanggama, an end to militarisation serving extractive corporate interests, and the withdrawal of military posts that create fear and trauma among residents. The demonstration highlighted how the ongoing conflict has paralyzed government offices, schools, and daily life, forcing thousands of residents to flee to forests or neighbouring districts.
Nabire Town
On 10 November 2025, hundreds of students held a peaceful demonstration in front of the Central Papua People's Assembly (MRP) building in Nabire, under the theme "Papua: Military Emergency, Investment, and Humanitarian Crisis." The protest highlighted human rights issues from 1961 to 2025, including increased military operations, land grabbing, and natural resource exploitation that harm indigenous peoples. The protesters demanded an end to violence and the deployment of non-organic military troops that caused casualties and displacement in the regencies of Intan Jaya, Puncak, Nduga, and other areas.
The students presented six key demands: stopping militarization in West Papua, rejecting the National Strategic Project in Merauke, investigating the shooting of civilians in Soanggama Village, and rejecting the Wabu Block exploitation. Deputy Chair I of the Central Papua MRP, Mrs Paulina Marey, responded by stating the MRP would accept community aspirations and forward them to the governor and central government, whileacknowledging that Special Autonomy has not yet provided tangible benefits to the wider community.
Jayapura City
On 1 November 2025, the Lanny Jaya Student Association (HMPLJ) in Jayapura held a press conference at the Lanny Jaya Men's Dormitory in Heram District, demanding that President Prabowo immediately withdraw all non-organic military forces from several districts in Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua Highlands Province. According to the information received from human rights observers, military operations in Lanny Jaya in early October 2025 caused residents to flee their homes. Internally displaced residents have gathered at evacuation sites without adequate access to basic necessities. They firmly refused to return to their homes until military personnel withdrew from their villages, stating they would remain in evacuation camps until the end of the year if necessary.