Wamena, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says it was denied an opportunity to meet with members of the Highland Papua Legislative Council (DPR Papua Pegunungan) after representatives of the organization visited the council building on Wednesday (August 12, 2026).
KNPB chairperson Agus Kossay said the group had sought a meeting because the legislative council is expected to represent the people of Highland Papua.
KNPB intended to discuss its planned "Papua: Military Emergency and Humanitarian Crisis Zone" peaceful demonstration, which it plans to hold with communities in the Lapago customary region on August 15 to mark the 64th anniversary of the New York Agreement.
The Highland Papua legislative building is expected to be the main target of the demonstration, as KNPB considers the council a representative institution for the people of the province.
"As a people's organization, KNPB came in a spirit of respect as Indigenous people and requested an audience with the Highland Papua Legislative Council. However, they did not give us an opportunity to meet," Kossay said on Wednesday.
He said KNPB and the council had agreed on August 10 to hold the meeting on August 12. However, he said the council did not follow through with the agreement.
"Today, they have been influenced by the colonial system, so they have refused to give space to the people of Papua, who have experienced human rights violations since 1961 until today. We have shown them our respect as Indigenous people," he said.
Kossay alleged that government officials representing the Indonesian state in Tanah Papua were reluctant to meet with KNPB, which he described as representing the Indigenous people and customary landowners of the Baliem Valley.
"For a long time, we have been throughout Tanah Papua and allowed outsiders to govern us in Lapago. Today I have returned home. This is my home. I have set foot in my own home, and I must speak," he said.
Furthermore, KNPB called on the Indonesian military, police and other institutions not to be alarmed by claims or narratives circulating beyond the organization's responsibility. Kossay said KNPB remained committed to holding the August 15 demonstration peacefully and was prepared to take responsibility for the action.
"As the person responsible for the peaceful demonstration here, I am ready to take responsibility. As long as the Indonesian security forces and the people of Papua maintain good communication and consultation, there will be no misunderstanding or confrontation," he said.
Kossay said KNPB had also asked the Jayawijaya police chief to provide space for people to express their demands during the August 15 demonstration.
He said the action would focus on the humanitarian situation in Tanah Papua and called for Indonesia and Papua to engage in dialogue to find a resolution to the conflict.
"There must be no more military violence or military approaches to resolving the problems in Papua," he said.
He also called on the Indonesian government in Jakarta, which he described as operating under a democratic, rule-of-law and human-rights system, to uphold humanitarian principles and justice.
Kossay said August 15 also marked what KNPB considers the "betrayal" of the Papuan people by the international community through the New York Agreement, which he said did not include Papuans as subjects of international law.
KNPB urged Papuans throughout Tanah Papua, particularly those in the Lapago customary region, to participate in the August 15 demonstration.
"People of Papua in the Lapago customary region – Lani, Nduga, Baliem and Yali communities, and all others – come on August 15, 2026, and gather at the Highland Papua Legislative Council. Let us hold a peaceful demonstration and do not bring sharp weapons. What can be brought are pamphlets, banners, billboards and red crosses," Kossay said.
Source: https://en.jubi.id/highland-papua-legislative-council-denied-request-for-meeting-knpb-said