Ahmad Syarif – In 2018, the West Papua Liberation Army declared open war on the Indonesian military. Since then, at least 100 Indonesian military and security personnel have died, alongside hundreds of civilian casualties, and hundreds more on the rebel side.

Manokwari, Jubi – Two palm oil companies involved in National Strategic Projects (PSN), Genting Oil Kasuri Pte. Ltd (GOKPL) and PT Prabu Alaska, have been accused of dumping waste and clearing endemic Papuan trees in the Sumuri District of Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua province.

Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Police said 78 students were detained while they were preparing to take part in a demonstration against the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency in Papua province, on Tuesday (15 September 2026). The students were registered and later released.

On 15 September 2026, Indonesian police arbitrarily detained school pupils and university students, used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations, and obstructed access to legal assistance during protests against the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) in Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency, Papua province.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed responsibility for the shooting that killed a driver, Aris Sanda, on the Wamena-Nduga road in Papua Highlands province.

The incident occurred near Lake Habema in Jayawijaya Regency on Tuesday (15/9/2026). The victim was found dead inside his burnt vehicle on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

Sorong, Jubi – Moi Indigenous youth blocked several government offices in Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province, on Monday (14/9/2026), as a form of protest against development and investment policies and National Strategic Projects (PSN) that they say are increasingly threatening the land, forests and livelihoods of the Moi Indigenous community.

Andrew Mathieson – Melanesian leaders are stepping up pressure on Jakarta to facilitate a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to West Papua.

There has also been a call to consider scrapping Indonesia's associate membership in the regional bloc of the Melanesian Spearhead Group entirely.

Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) says 109 people have been killed or injured in violence and armed conflict across Papua in 2026.

Lee Jay – Oppression in West Papua continues, decade after decade, while the international community repeatedly demonstrates the limits of its commitment to human rights when strategic interests are involved.

Jayapura, Jubi – Violence will not solve the problems facing Papua, Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Papua office has said following the shooting deaths of three civil servants in Jayawijaya.

On 9 September 2026, an unidentified person threw a glass bottle containing an unknown liquid and an apparent wick into the compound of the Papua Regional Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Dok V Bawah, North Jayapura District, Jayapura City, Papua Province.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army's (TPNPB) Ndugama-Derakma regional command has claimed responsibility for a shooting that killed three civil servants in Jayawijaya Regency, in Indonesia's Highland Papua province.

Jayapura, Jubi – A coalition of legal and human rights groups in Papua has called on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to order the National Police chief to investigate a series of alleged terror attacks targeting human rights workers, journalists and the Papua office of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights, known as Komnas HAM.

On 28 July 2026, police officers apprehended approximately 31 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) near the Old Market traffic lights on Jalan Pasar Lama Yahim, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, while they were distributing leaflets for a nationwide protest planned for 3 August 2026.

On 1 September 2026, security forces carried out an operation in the Kali Biru residential area around the former Election Commission Office (KPU), Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. Local human rights defenders reported that six civilians were reportedly arrested and taken to the Yahukimo Police Station.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) met with Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman at the Bina Graha KSP Building in Jakarta on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Jayapura – The Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition (KPHHP) is urged the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to immediately order the National Police Chief (Kapolri) to thoroughly investigate the Molotov cocktail attack on the Papua Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Jayapura, Papua, as well as previous

On 15 August 2026, Indonesian police and military personnel forcibly dispersed demonstrations organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) together with students in Pos 7, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, and Perumnas III Waena, Waena Expo, Uncen Atas and the Abepura area in Jayapura City, Papua Province.

On 17 August 2026, a series of violent incidents in Pasir Putih Village, Jila District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, reportedly resulted in the death of Mrs Neregingget Magai, 48, serious injury to another villager named Inkolung Aim, and the alleged abduction of nine young women.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police have been urged to investigate an alleged Molotov cocktail attack on the Papua office of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Jayapura.

The incident reportedly occurred at the Komnas HAM Papua representative office on Soa Siu Street in the Dok V Bawah area of North Jayapura on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.

Mr Leonardo M. Konorop, a 38-year-old civilian and indigenous Papuan died on 8 September 2026 after sustaining severe head injuries during an alleged assault involving police officers and a suspected Indonesian military (TNI) member.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has urged Indonesia to turn its words into concrete action over a proposed visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua, calling for a clear timetable, genuine access and meaningful engagement.

A civilian identified as BP, was reportedly shot dead by an off-duty police officer on 2 August 2026 at the Raffles Residence 3 housing estate, Block M, Mimika Baru District, Mimika Regency, Papua Tengah Province. The alleged shooter, identified as Aipda M, was an officer stationed at Mozes Kilangin Airport Police Station in Timika.

Andrew Mathieson – Indonesian forces have killed four West Papuan independence fighters inside the most volatile area of the disputed Indigenous territory in Western New Guinea.

An unidentified man hurled a Molotov cocktail at the regional office of Indonesia's top rights body in restive Papua, the latest of a series of attacks targeting rights defenders and journalists in the Christian-majority region.

Merauke, Jubi – A 38-year-old man from Merauke Regency in South Papua, who was allegedly assaulted by police officers, has died after receiving intensive treatment in the ICU at Merauke Regional Public Hospital.

On 30 August 2026, officers from the Nabire Police allegedly beat and arbitrarily detained indigenous community leader Yulius Edowai, 50, in front of SMKN 2 Jayanti in Nabire, Central Papua Province. Mr Edowai is a member of the Papuan Traditional Council.

On 13 August 2026, Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) personnel reportedly shot three indigenous civilians at a garden camp near the Kamundan River in the Ainod area, Aifat Timur Tengah District Maybrat Regency, Papua Barat Daya province. The victims, Mrs Anike Fatie, 47, Mrs Selfiana Sorry, 66, and Mr Silfester Asem, 25, were seriously injured during the shooting.

Johnny Blades – A leading West Papua pro-independence group has questioned Indonesia's assertion that a proposed visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is on track.

The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) is urging Indonesia to put its words into action on the proposed visit with a clear date, genuine access and meaningful engagement.

Sorong, Jubi – Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has been urged to directly investigate violence against Papuan women, as protesters questioned the effectiveness of the state institution's response to ongoing reports of abuse.

Indonesia, West Papua – The period between July and August 2026 was characterised by new conflict-driven internal displacements in the regencies Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, and Paniai.

Ali Mirin – The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Koror, Palau, last week has pushed West Papua back to the centre of Pacific diplomacy.

Susana Suisuiki – For 20 years, West Papuan activist Paula Makabory has not set foot in her ancestral homeland. Her family still lives in West Papua, but she has not seen them since she left in 2006.

Speaking to Pacific Waves from Melbourne, Makabory said she does not know what would happen if she attempted to return.

Yohanes Gobai, Jayapura – West Papua National Committee (KNPB) International Spokesperson Victor Yeimo has questioned the certainty of the planned visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Papua following the Indonesian government's statement that the process is "on track".

Jayapura, Jubi – Abner Mansai, Executive Secretary of the Papua Forum for Cooperation among Non-Governmental Organisations (FOKER LSM Papua), said development and investment policies in Papua often disregard Indigenous land ownership systems that existed long before the establishment of the Indonesian state.

Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has discussed the human rights situation in Papua with the Papua Special Committee of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI).

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI Yahukimo has declared a period of national mourning after four of its members were killed in a gunfight with a joint Indonesian military and police team in Gunung Street, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province, on 1 September 2026.

Aniwaniwa Paterson – Pacific Islands Forum leaders are under pressure to do more for Kanak people and West Papua, with advocates demanding stronger action on decolonisation, human rights and self-determination.

Johnny Blades – Indonesia's government has indicated that a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is on track.

This comes as Melanesian Sperarhead Group (MSG) countries agreed to push Jakarta to facilitate the visit, after years of apparent inaction.

Ivamere Nataro-Tunidau – Pacific Island leaders have recognised Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua while urging all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents.

The position was agreed to by leaders as the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau, ended yesterday.

Johnny Blades – Melanesian countries are pushing Indonesia to facilitate a long-requested visit to West Papua by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights or have its membership in their regional bloc reviewed.

Sorong, Jubi – At least 15 people staged a peaceful protest at a hotel in Sorong, Southwest Papua Province, where the PAPEDA Summit 2026 is being held on Wednesday (02/09/2026).

The protesters said they opposed the summit, which is taking place from 2 to 4 September 2026.

A special envoy led by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his Papua New Guinea counterpart, James Marape, is likely to visit West Papua by December this year.

Melanesian Spearhead Group director general Anna Naupa confirmed this with the Fiji Sun following the MSG meeting held on the margins of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau on Monday.

Jayapura, Jubi – Conflict in Papua has increasingly shifted from separatist issues towards disputes over the environment and natural resources, according to researcher Adriana Elisabeth.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Arborek, Southwest Papua, Indonesia – For generations, Raja Ampat's Indigenous communities have governed different forests, reefs and islands according to their customary systems.

An exiled West Papuan leader living in Australia is calling on Oceania leaders at the Pacific Island Forum meeting in Palau this week to condemn growing military violence in the Indonesian-ruled Melanesian region.

Jayapura, Jubi – Foreign journalists seeking to report on events in Papua continue to face significant restrictions, with authorities detaining a Russian national after he was allegedly found recording a demonstration in Wamena.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian environmental organisation Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI) Papua has compiled data on forest and land fires across Papua between 2023 and 2026.

Ezra Toara, Port Vila – The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) should revisit a proposal for an independent regional delegation to visit West Papua and assess reported human rights concerns, says Vanuatu Special Envoy on Decolonisation and Maritime Boundaries Delimitation Joe Natuman.

Ezra Toara – The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) should revisit a proposal for an independent regional delegation to visit West Papua and assess reported human rights concerns, Vanuatu Special Envoy on Decolonisation and Maritime Boundaries Delimitation Joe Natuman says.