Jayapura, Jubi – Pacific Islands Forum leaders are expected to receive an update on efforts to facilitate a visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua when they meet in Palau next week.

Paul Gregoire – Australian Greens Senator David Shoebridge hosted the inaugural meeting of the Australian chapter of International Parliamentarians for West Papua on Ngunnawal and Ngambri land in Australian Parliament House in Canberra on 17 August 2026, with a delegation present that included United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) president Benny Wenda, who was in from L

Andrew Mathieson – A proposal from the Indonesian government to conduct a new registration of internally-displaced Papuans across their conflict-affected territory has been condemned by the West Papua National Committee.

Jayapura, Jubi – Representatives and supporters of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) have agreed to begin a process of reconciliation and reunification, following a meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on Saturday (22/08/2026).

Jakarta – Russia is deferring to Indonesian authorities on the legal proceedings involving a Russian national detained in Wamena, Highland Papua Province, after allegedly filming a protest without authorization.

Jayapura – Leaders of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and representatives of the Vanuatu government gathered again in Port Villa, Vanuatu, on August 22. During the meeting, the parties agreed to reconcile and reunite within the ULMWP in November 2026 in Vanuatu.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has rejected the Indonesian government's plan to conduct a new registration of internally displaced people across conflict-affected areas of Papua, saying it fears the data collection will serve political interests rather than address the root causes of displacement.

Maybrat, Jubi – Residents of Mare district in Maybrat regency, Southwest Papua province, are facing a range of challenges in accessing basic services, including clean water, teachers and healthcare workers, roads, telecommunications and health facilities.

Mare district comprises nine villages: Mahos, Suswa, Kombif, Bakrabi, Waban, Sawo, Narasi, Seya and Rufases.

Manokwari, Jubi – West Papua's provincial and district governments have been urged to take immediate action over forest and land fires reported across several parts of the province.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Executive Student Council of Cenderawasih University (BEM Uncen) says it has evidence that police fired at protesters during clashes between security personnel and students at a demonstration against the New York Agreement in Perumnas III Waena, Heram district, Jayapura, Papua, on Saturday (15/08/2026).

Jayapura, Jubi – The headquarters of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Puncak Jaya regency, Central Papua, was reportedly attacked by the Indonesian military between August 16 and 19, 2026.

The information was conveyed by TPNPB-OPM (Free Papua Movement) spokesperson Sebby Sambom in a written statement on Thursday (20/08/2026).

The Australian chapter of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) held its first public meeting on Monday 17th August at Parliament House in Canberra.

Johnny Blades – Papua New Guinea's foreign minister says he expects the issue of West Papua will be discussed at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting in Palau.

This comes as the issue of human rights abuses and conflict in Indonesian-ruled Papua region, often known internationally as West Papua, appeared to have slipped off the regional agenda.

Hundreds of residents of Maybrat Regency, South West Papua, took to the streets on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in a peaceful demonstration held as a form of protest as well as a presentation of aspirations related to the shooting incident of civilians that occurred on August 13, 2026.

Andrew Mathieson – Police have been accused of instigating violent clashes with anguished West Papuan demonstrators over marking a dark day of their homeland's incorporation into Indonesian sovereignty.

Jayapura – The Papua Foundation for Justice and Human Integrity (YKKMP) has written to Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM RI) over the alleged shooting of three civilians in Ainot village, Aifat district, Maybrat regency, Southwest Papua on August 13, 2026.

Manokwari, Jubi – Residents in Tomu district, Teluk Bintuni regency, Southwest Papua, have traditionally relied on rainwater to meet their daily needs. But after months of prolonged drought, many have been forced to use murky river water instead.

Tomu district comprises seven villages: Tomu, Totitra, Ayot, Ekam, Adu, Rejo Sari and Wanagir.

Merauke, Jubi – Several former terrorism convicts in Merauke Regency are working to rebuild their lives in the community after completing their legal proceedings, including plans to establish an educational institution.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai emphasized that the people of Papua are permitted to demand welfare, justice, and their rights, but they may not demand independence for Papua from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Wamena, Jubi – Agus Kossay, chairman of the Central Committee of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), has urged police in Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency, Papua, to learn from police chiefs in three other regions in Papua in handling demonstrations.

Laurens Ikinia, Jakarta – As Indonesia marks the 81st anniversary of its independence on Monday - 17 August – the republic has much to celebrate.

Over eight decades, Indonesia has transformed itself from a newly independent archipelago into one of the world's largest democracies and economies, holding together an extraordinarily diverse nation across thousands of islands.

Hundreds of members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and students from Cenderawasih University (Uncen) clashed with police in Jayapura City on Saturday (August 15, 2026). The demonstrators were commemorating the tragic event of the 64th anniversary of the New York Agreement.

Jayapura – A peaceful demonstration by Papuan people and students mediated by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at Sentani Post 7 and the Waena State Housing Company (Perumnas) III on Saturday August 15 was forcibly dispersed by security forces from the Jayapura and Sentani Municipal Police (Polres) and the Papua Regional Police (Polda).

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) have declared their political stance against the New York Agreement signed by the Indonesian and Dutch governments 64 years ago, on August 15, 1962.

8Merauke, Jubi – Merauke Archbishop Mgr. Petrus Canisius Mandagi has called on Catholics to embrace love, forgiveness and peace in responding to continuing violence in Papua, including Papua Selatan.

Sorong, Jubi – Three civilians were reportedly shot in Muara Aifam, East Central Aifat district, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua province, on Thursday evening (Aug. 13, 2026). The alleged shooters were Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) personnel stationed at Sory Post.

Jayapura, Jubi – Yayasan Bentala Pusaka and Satya Bumi have launched two Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) reports examining the impacts of National Strategic Projects (PSN) in Papua Selatan province. The reports were launched in Padang Bulan, Heram district, Jayapura City, on Thursday (Aug. 13, 2026).

Wamena, Jubi – Two districts in Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan province, have been hit by drought following a dry season that has persisted since April 2026, with conditions expected to peak between June and August. The affected areas are Wutpaga and Nenggeagin districts.

Rahmat Hidayat – Eleven government offices in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, were burned or damaged after a crowd protested the distribution of village funds, according to local police.

A group of soldiers stationed in Indonesia's predominantly Christian Papua region intimidated and forced Catholics to record a video thanking the president and armed forces inside a village church, alleged a Catholic youth group.

Giovanni Torre – Saturday will mark 64 years since the New York Agreement, which saw the West Papuan people "betrayed by the international community", the Australia West Papua Association noted this week.

This year will mark 64 years since the New York Agreement when the West Papuan people were betrayed by the international community.

The New York Agreement

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).

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) chapters in Numbay and Sentani have submitted official notices of a planned peaceful protest to several government and security institutions ahead of a nationwide demonstration on August 15, 2026.

On 4 August 2026, a mass food poisoning incident linked to meals distributed under President Prabowo's flagtship Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) programme affected hundreds of residents in Depapre District and surrounding coastal areas of Jayapura Regency, Papua province.

Reiner Brabar, Jayapura – The presence of the Republic of Indonesia in the Land of Papua is considered to have caused the indigenous Papuan people to continue to experience suffering on their own ancestral land.

Sorong, Jubi – The Independent Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Papua (MAI-P) in Sorong City, Southwest Papua Province, has rejected the government's National Strategic Projects (PSN), the Sorong Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the creation of new autonomous regions (DOB), transmigration programs and the expansion of investment, saying these initiatives could further restrict Indigenous

Jayapura, Jubi – The 2026 Papua Film Festival is seeking to build collective awareness among Papuans through documentary filmmaking. Organised by Papuan Voices, the festival opened on Friday (7 August 2026) at Liborang Dormitory in Padang Bulan, Jayapura City, Papua Province, and will run until Sunday (9 August 2026).

Reiner Brabar, Sorong – A documentary film about South Papua has received recognition from the world press. "Pesta Babi" (Pig Feast), the title of a documentary film that records the struggle of indigenous peoples to defend their land and living space, has won the 2026 Suardi Tasrif Award from the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI).

Wamena, Jubi – A prolonged drought that has affected Kuyawage District in Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua Highlands Province, since June 2026 is continuing, leaving residents facing a growing food shortage after crops failed across the region.

Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesia's Deputy Home Affairs Minister, Ribka Haluk, says the suspected food poisoning incident involving children and adults who consumed meals under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, should serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive review of how the program is implemented.

Andrew Mathieson – West Papuan independence separatists killed three Indigenous Papuans depicted in an execution-style video that has gone viral on social media across the occupied territory as a warning to "traitors" to their cause.

Sorong, Jubi – Indigenous youth from the Domberay customary region have launched a cultural camp aimed at strengthening, preserving and revitalising Papuan cultural identity, which organisers say is gradually fading among younger generations.

Jayapura, Jubi – The number of children suspected of suffering food poisoning after consuming meals provided under Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, rose sharply on Tuesday (4 August 2026), with health authorities reporting that the total had reached more than 100 people by Tuesday night.

Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesian security forces have launched a joint operation to pursue fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) following the killing of five road construction workers in Papua Highlands Province on Sunday (2 August 2026).

Jayapura – The size of the indigenous population in the land of Papua is steadily declining. There are many reasons for this drop in the population. Aside from the marginalisation of indigenous communities, another factor is the high mortality rate resulting from climate and environmental changes caused by land clearing by companies.

Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Dionisius VDP Helan has apologised over the alleged intimidation of a Jubi journalist by one of his officers during the policing of a West Papua National Committee (KNPB) demonstration in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, on Monday, 3 August 2026.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says it will stage another round of coordinated demonstrations on 15 August 2026 to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement, with protest planned across all 36 of the organisation's regional commands throughout the Land of Papua.

Laura Oliver, Jakarta – Raja Ampat, one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions, remains under pressure from Indonesia's expanding nickel industry as three companies continue to seek permission to develop nickel projects in the archipelago, according to a new Greenpeace report.

Sentani, Jubi – Agus Kossay, chairperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), says opposition to the group's planned public demonstrations is not new, arguing that nearly every KNPB mobilisation since the organisation's establishment has been met with resistance and counter-narratives from various groups.