Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the ministry to run a transmigration program to Eastern Indonesia, especially Papua. The program is intended to realize welfare equality across Indonesian regions, he said.

Jayapura – Anti-Terrorism Solidarity (Solat) action coordinator Mesak Dogomo says that the terror attack on the Jubi media offices in Jayapura that occurred on October 16 cannot be treated lightly.

Catherine Delahunty – A few weeks ago, the West Papua Liberation Army released Phillip Mehrtens, the New Zealand pilot they'd held captive for 19 months.

The release was a huge relief for his family and friends and was celebrated in parliament with a government motion to the House.

Victor Mambor, Jayapura, Indonesia – With Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general installed as Indonesia's new president, residents in the restive Papua region were responding to this reality with anxiety and, for some, cautious optimism.

Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, urges President-elect Prabowo and Vice President-elect Gibran to evaluate the security approach in Papuan soil.

According to Usman, the ongoing violence involving state forces and the Papua pro-freedom groups has taken many lives.

Elisa Sekenyap, Jayapura – The Merauke food and energy National Strategic Project (PSN) in South Papua is taking away indigenous Papuans right to life and worsening the environmental crisis.

Irsyan Hasyim (Kontributor), Jakarta – Indigenous people from Merauke, South Papua, voiced their rejection of the National Strategic Project (PSN) food estate in their region, staging a protest at the Defense Ministry office on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, to demand its immediate halt.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The Indonesian Military Headquarters or Mabes TNI has stated that they will use a humanist approach in supporting national food security programs in the land of Papua, especially the 1 million hectare rice field National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke regency.

Adlu Raharusun, Jayapura – A Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Jujur Bicara or Jubi media editorial office in Jayapura, Papua, on the morning of Wednesday October 16. The alleged terror attack has attracted concern as well as criticism from journalist organisations.

Dede Leni Mardianti, Jakarta – The editorial office of Papua-based media Jujur Bicara, popularly known as Jubi, was thrown with Molotov cocktails in the early hours of Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Jubi's office is located on Jalan SPG Taruna Waena, Jayapura City, Papua Province.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus, Jakarta – An attack on the editorial office of Papua-based media outlet Jubi on Wednesday using Molotov cocktails set fire to vehicles but resulted in no casualties, Indonesian police said.

Cat Woods – This year marks nearly 30 years of East Timorese independence, but for West Papua, despite legal, social and international campaigning and pleas to the UN, independence remains an illusive goal owing to ongoing Indonesian occupation despite the 1969 Act of Free Choice.

Eleisha Foon – The leader of the rebel group who took New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens hostage has denied a bribe was involved in his release, offering an explanation on the motive behind the kidnapping.

Johnson Raela, Hellena Souisa and Sean Mantesso – Three years ago, Lamberti Faan was sleeping in her village when armed men woke her.

It was September 2021, and the Indonesian military were hunting Papuan separatists. Three days later, she fled with her family, fearful for her life.

Indonesia, West Papua – The Permanent People's Tribunal (PPT) Judgement on State and Environmental Violence in West Papua was presented on 1st October at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 3 September 2024, Mr Yeremias Magai, 34, a catechist at Stasi Kristus Raja Damai Nabire and a member of the Nabire District Government Pamong Praja Unit, reportedly died during custody at the Nabire Regional Police, Papua Tengah Province.

Ali Mirin – The Indonesian military announced the deployment of five battalions – an estimated 5000 soldiers – to occupied West Papua on October 2 to protect key government projects and help the expansion of industrial development.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – There are fears that the involvement of the TNI (Indonesian Military) in food security programs in the Land of Papua will increase the risk of violence against civilians and human rights violations.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The South Papua Student Concern Front held a free speech forum on Monday October 7 in Jayapura city, Papua, rejecting investment and the deforestation of customary forests the Animha region of South Papua that the government want to transform into sugar cane and rice plantations.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 15 July 2024, Mr Herik Gombo died under suspicious circumstances during custody at the Merauke Police. Mr Gombo and his colleague had been detained following a motorcycle accident earlier that day. His family and legal representatives demand clarity and accountability from the police regarding his death inside the detention cell.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 16 July 2024, the Indonesian military shot dead Mr Tonda Wanimbo, Mr Yotenus Wonda, and Mr Dominus Wonda in the Mulia District, Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – A study by an Indonesian NGO challenges government claims that oil palm cultivation is a driver of economic welfare and development, showing that the environmental and social damage from plantations in the country's Papua region vastly outweigh any benefits.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Petir Garda B, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has established new Infantry Battalions in five regions of Papua to bolster government programs in food production and infrastructure development. General Maruli Simanjuntak, the Army Chief of Staff, announced that similar battalion formations will be implemented in several other regions.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Indigenous Papuans say they've been caught off guard by helicopters flying over their villages and excavators tearing down their forests in their area, all while accompanied by the Indonesian military.

A side event to the 57th UN Human Rights Council entitled "Human Rights in West Papua," hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and partner organizations on 1 October, addressed the dire human rights situation in the Papuan provinces of Indonesia, with ongoing violations that include extra-judicial killings, internal displacement due to armed conflict, restrictions on civil li

Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Jakarta – Military observer and lecturer at the Brawijaya University Faculty of Law, Al Araf, believes that the formation of new Conflict Area Support (PDR) infantry battalions (Yonif) in five regions of Papua reflects the government's position of considering Papua a conflict prone region.

Stephen Wright, Bangkok, Thailand – Indonesia's military is taking a leading role in plans to convert more than 2 million hectares of wetlands and savannah into rice farms and sugarcane plantations in a part of the conflict-prone Papua region that conservationists say is an environmental treasure.

Jakarta – Although it took 19 months, the release of hostage Phillip Mark Mehrtens is an important lesson for the new administration regarding how to respond to the conflict in Papua.

Jakarta – Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto on Wednesday inaugurated five infantry battalions (Yonif) to support the government's food resilience program in Papua region.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 29 September 2024, the five students Mr Josan, Mr Ando, Mr Joshua, Mr Cela, and Mr Emigay, all members of the 'West Papuan Student Solidarity', were intimidated after registering a peaceful assembly to commemorate the Rome Agreement of 30 September 1962 in Nabire, Papua Tengah Province.

Pes Yanengga, Jayapura – On Monday September 30 Papuan Student Solidarity held a protest action on Jalan Kamwolker in Jayapura, Papua, in which they expressed their rejection of the 1962 Rome Agreement.

Indonesia, West Papua – Police officers arrested two indigenous Papuans, Mr Ripe Kerebea and Mr Eli Koranue, in the town of Kenyam, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 17 August 2024.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 13 August 2024, Indonesian military forces reportedly raided the Silatuga Village of Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, searching residential houses in the area. According to information received from local human rights defenders, military members released bazookas in Silatuga.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 3 August 2024, members of the Sentani Regional KNPB (West Papua National Committee) and local community groups were forcibly dispersed by members of the Jayapura District Police in Sentani Town, Jayapura Regency, Papua province.

Jakarta – After holding Susi Air pilot Phillips Mehrtens captive in the jungle for 594 days and keeping his family in the dark regarding his safety, the armed Papuan rebels eventually released the New Zealand national on Sept. 21, and instead of showing remorse, acted as if they were his saviors.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 14 September 2024, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) arbitrarily detained two Papuans at a military post in Mamba Village, Sugapa District, in the Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province.

Ririe Ranggasari, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military's TNI headquarters has confirmed that it will not withdraw or increase its troop presence in Papua despite the completion of an operation to free Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens from hostage.

Raden Putri, Avit Hidayat, Jakarta – The Indonesian government is developing a new food estate program in Merauke, South Papua. This mega project, listed as a national strategic project (PSN), encompasses a vast area of 2.29 million hectares, seventy times the size of Jakarta.

Caleb Fotheringham – The Foreign Minister has called claims a Papua New Guinea politician paid a bribe ahead of the release of kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens "a disgrace".

Pizaro Gozali Idrus and Victor Mambor – Jakarta and Wellington on Monday denied claims by a Papuan rebel spokesman that Indonesian authorities had paid a guerrilla commander to free a New Zealand pilot from 19 months of captivity.

Indonesia, West Papua – A new report has revealed the devastating impacts of palm oil investment in Papua, Indonesia, on both the environment and indigenous communities. The study, conducted by researcher Wiko Saputra, found that while the economic benefits of the industry are limited, the environmental and social costs are significant.

Singgih Wiryono, Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) spokesperson Sebby Sambom has denied claims by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Indonesian Police (Polri) that the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was a result of their efforts.

New video footage has been released of a peaceful hand-over ceremony of Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens' release in West Papua.

The footage, sent to RNZ Pacific by a member of the West Papua Council of Churches, shows a formal ceremony followed by Mehrtens shaking hands with a number of locals before entering a helicopter and being flown away.

Singgih Wiryono, Ihsanuddin, Jakarta – A split has occurred within the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) after Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was released on Saturday September 21.

Jakarta – Jakarta and Wellington denied Monday a claim by rebels in Indonesia's restive region of Papua that a New Zealand pilot was freed from captivity over the weekend after they received payment from a local leader.

Phillip Mehrtens, 38, was released on Saturday by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) insurgent group after 19 months in captivity.

The family of freed New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens say they are "extremely grateful and relieved" he has been released and will soon be reunited with them.

Local police announced on Saturday the New Zealand pilot had been freed after more than one and a half years in captivity in West Papua, Indonesia.

Eva Corlett in Wellington – On 7 February 2023, Phillip Mehrtens' life took an unexpected and harrowing turn.

Wellington, New Zealand – The family of a kidnapped New Zealand pilot on Sunday thanked the Indonesian rebels who released him for taking care of him during more than a year and a half in captivity.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Susi Air pilot of New Zealand nationality, Philip Mark Mehrtens, has been released by Indonesia's TNI-Polri security forces from the captivity of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga on Saturday, September 21, 2024, after being held captive for approximately 20 months.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Susi Air Pilot, Philip Mark Mehrtens was freed from the armed group Free Papua Movement (OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto stated that security forces only used persuasive approaches in the release.