Marchio Gorbiano and Sara Hussein, Jakarta and Bangkok – Keen to end its reliance on rice imports, Indonesia wants to plant vast tracts of the crop, along with sugar cane for biofuel, in the restive eastern region.
But environmentalists warn it could become the world's largest deforestation project, threatening endangered species and Jakarta's climate commitments.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Theo Hesegem, director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, has called on the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) to provide evidence supporting its claim of a connection between Indonesian military agents and gold miners in Yahukimo, Papua.
Jayapura – Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation (YKKMP) Director Theo Hesegem has acknowledged the increasing number of victims of human rights violations in Papua over the past few years.
Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The commander of the West Papua Army, Mathias L. Wenda, passed away on April 12, 2025, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom.
2024 was always going to be a year of political change and a dynamic situation, given the presidential and parliamentary elections. With Prabowo's election, the decline of rights to free expression and assembly that had already happened during President Joko Widodo's time in office, looks set to continue.
Indonesia, West Papua – The independent media outlet Suara Papua has received information about another case of torture and extrajudicial execution in the Yuguru village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.
Indonesia, West Papua – On the night of 13 March 2025, military personnel reportedly tortured three indigenous Papuans in the Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.
Zacharias Wuragil, Jakarta – The joint Cartenz Peace Operation Team together with the Police Medical Team and the Police CVI have identified eleven bodies of victims of the killings of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM). The eleven bodies were officially handed over to their families on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Army (TNI) has dismissed the allegations made by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) regarding the involvement of children in espionage operations in Papua.
Chris Lang – On 17 January 2010, Indonesia's then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched a 2-million-hectare programme called the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE). From the start the programme was opposed by farmer and environmental organisations in Indonesia.
Indonesia, West Papua – Illegal mining operations have been discovered in Ajuda Village at the border of Intan Jaya Regency in Central Papua Province (Papua Tengah) with Waropen Regency, raising significant environmental and social concerns among residents and environmental activists.
Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) claims to have an intelligence body called the Papua Intelligence Service (PIS). The TPNPB spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, stated that PIS plays a crucial role in providing on-ground information faster than Indonesian security forces.
Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) assesses that Indonesian security forces are using a covert war strategy. TPNPB-OPM has stated that around 6,100 combined Indonesian military personnel have been deployed to Papua from January until April 13, 2025.
Indonesia, West Papua – During a visit to Indonesia in March 2025, Amnesty International Secretary General, Mrs Agnes Callamard, issued a stark warning regarding the global rise in authoritarian practices is increasingly evident in Indonesia.
Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The management of the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPNPB) headquarters has confirmed the addition of troops from the Meepago region, Central Highlands, Central Papua, who have now joined the forces of TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya, Central Papua, to fight against the Indonesian military.
Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has urged people from outside Papua to refrain from engaging in mining activities in the Yahukimo region. TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom referred to the non-Papuan newcomers as 'immigrants' from Indonesia in the operational areas of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province.
Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) claimed that a total of 6,100 joint personnel of the Indonesian military forces have been deployed to the Papua region from January to April 13, 2025.
Sapto Yunus, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB OPM) has provided several justifications for its recent attack that led to the deaths of illegal gold miners in Yahukimo Regency, Papua.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), stated the group's reasons for targeting civilians working as gold miners in Yahukimo, Papua.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), accused the Indonesian government of deliberately deploying military personnel to conflict zones in Papua.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Imam Hamdi, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid says that the government needs to immediately open a dialogue with pro-independence groups and traditional figures in Papua. According to Hamid, this step is the most appropriate way to resolve the violent conflict in Papua.
Jakarta – The Defense Ministry described on Thursday a Papuan rebel claim that the West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) had killed Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in Yahukimo regency, Papua Highlands, recently as systematic disinformation designed to mislead the public.
Agencies, Jakarta – Rebels in Papua region said on Thursday they have killed more than 17 people since the weekend, claiming that they were soldiers disguised as gold miners, and police said the insurgents were holding two hostages.
BeritaSatu, Jayapura – A militia group linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) has reportedly killed 11 gold miners in the remote Yahukimo Regency of Papua, according to multiple media outlets.
The group has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack but did not confirm the number of casualties.
Gusty Da Costa – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed responsibility for the execution of 11 illegal gold miners in Yahukimo, Papua, while alleging the casualties as soldiers disguising themselves as gold miners in a mission to infiltrate their operational areas.
Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) has declared its readiness to fight against Indonesian military personnel. TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom said his group is ready to fight if the government does not immediately recognize Papua's sovereign rights.
Indonesia, West Papua – Human rights defender, Mr Marcho Pahabol, a member of the Justice Front for Tobias Silak (FJFTS) solidarity group, has been subjected to a series of intimidation and violent attacks in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 30 March 2025, Indonesian military forces reportedly shot dead Mr Okto Zanambani, an indigenous resident of Janamba village, during an intensified counterinsurgency campaign in the districts of Hitadipa and Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province.
Indonesia, West Papua – Since early 2023, military operations in West Papua have intensified, with security forces frequently launching joint operations involving army, police, and special forces units in conflict-affected regencies across the central highlands.
Indonesia, West Papua – In a controversial move, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) launched a large-scale corn cultivation project targeting 1.7 million hectares of land across the country. The project, which includes agricultural activities in the Aib Village, Jayapura Regency, is supposed to contribute to Indonesia's food security.
M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has declared its readiness to war against the Indonesian military. The spokesperson for TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, stated that they are ready to engage in war if the government does not promptly recognize the sovereignty of Papua.
Indonesia, West Papua – In several districts across West Papua, educational services are facing severe disruptions, with thousands of students unable to access basic education. Recent reports from multiple locations highlight a troubling pattern of abandoned schools, absent teachers, and students left without educational opportunities.
Reiner Brabar, Sorong – Papuan students in several major cities in Indonesia, such as Bandung, Jember, Malang, Bali, Lombok and several cities in Papua, held peaceful demonstrations on Monday April 7 to urge the gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) to immediately stop exploiting natural resources (SDA) in Papua.
Julie Wark – What's the relationship between an emaciated, dying Wondiwoi tree kangaroo (whose small joey in her pouch is also condemned to death) and tooth decay or obesity in a kid in any European city?
April 4, 2003 was a dark day for the Papuan people, especially in Wamena.
Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) confirmed there will be no troop reinforcements in response to the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) declaring nine regencies in Papua as war zones.
Indonesia, West Papua – Christian Solidarity International (CSI) delivered a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 28 March 2025, warning of Indonesian Government plans to expand its military presence and exploit natural resources in West Papua. CSI highlighted growing threats undermining the land rights of indigenous Papuans.
Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, stated that the conflict between two factions supporting regional head candidates in the Puncak Jaya regional election in Central Papua has left 12 people dead. The fatalities occurred during several clashes over the past three months.
Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Spokesperson for the XVII/Cendrawasih Military Command, Candra Kurniawan, has stated that the institution will not designate a "war zone" in managing conflicts in Papua.
The British government restated its commitment to a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to West Papua on Tuesday 2nd April, after being questioned over its 2024 critical minerals agreement with Indonesia.
Jayawijaya, Highland Papua – The Education and Culture Office of Highland Papua ensured that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is operational across eight districts in the province.
The districts benefiting from this initiative include Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Nduga, Central Mamberamo, Pegunungan Bintang, Yahukimo, and Yalimo.
Gamaliel M Kaliele, Sorong – A rally supporting the ratification of the Indonesian Military Law (UU TNI) has emerged in Fakfak amid a wave of protests rejecting the law. During the demonstration in Fakfak, the participants also expressed their support for the government's budget efficiency and the free nutritious meals (MBG) programs.
A West Papuan doctoral candidate has warned that indigenous noken-weaving practices back in her homeland are under threat with the world's biggest deforestation project.
Jakarta – The central leadership of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has denied accusations of recruiting child soldiers.
"We ensure that there has never been recruitment of children to become combatants," said TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom during a teleconference on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Peter Adamis – On Greek Independence Day, people around the world honour the valour and courage of those who fought tirelessly for freedom during their war of independence against the Ottoman Empire. This struggle, which spanned nearly 400 years, cost countless lives before the great powers intervened in support of the Greek people.
Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Jakarta – An armed group attack in Anggruk District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands resulted in the deaths of six teachers on Friday, March 21, 2025. The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) claimed responsibility for the incident.
Andi Adam Faturahman, Papua – The spokesperson of the central headquarters of the Free Papua Movement-Organisation of Papua Merdeka or TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, issued an ultimatum to the Indonesian government to immediately evacuate its citizens working in the conflict area of Papua.
Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Hundreds of Indigenous people and civil society groups in Indonesia are demanding an end to government projects that have seized their lands, fueled violence, and stripped them of their rights.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 24 March 2025, violence escalated in the Moanemani Village, Dogiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province, as a group of police officers reportedly released warning shots and dispersed the crowd at the local market with teargas.
Reverend Socrates Yoman, President of the West Papuan Baptist Church, addressed MPs today (24th March 2025) at a West Papua APPG meeting in the UK Parliament.