Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) is asking Papuan rebel leader Egianus Kogoya to immediately release Susi Air pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, who is being held captive by the armed group.

Benjamin Plummer – Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appealed for the immediate release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens nearly a year after his capture in Papua, Indonesia.

The Susi Air pilot was taken hostage by West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighters on February 7 last year, shortly after landing on a remote Paro airstrip in Nduga, Highland Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – Rev. Benny Giay aprreciated the enthusiasm of Papuan artists through the art exhibition titled 'Bholuh' (From the Earth) organized by Udeido Collective in collaboration with Papuans Voices and Alyakha Art Center at Sophie Building, Jayapura City on Wednesday (31/1/2024).

Niniek Karmini, Jakarta – Separatist rebels asked for the immediate release Saturday of the New Zealand pilot who's been held hostage for almost a year in Indonesia's restive Papua region.

Reno Reza Mahendra, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB-OPM Spokesperson Sebby Sambom revealed the reason why the OPM Armed Criminal Group has yet to release the Susi Air Pilot Philips Martens it took hostage since March 2023.

Sevianto Pakiding, Nduga, Papua – The West Papua Liberation Army, a faction of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), has confirmed plans to release Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Jayapura, Jubi – As of now, there has been no agreement reached for the release of Phillip Mark Mehrtens, the Susi Air pilot from New Zealand who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) since early last year, spokesperson for the Cartenz Peace Operation Adj. Sr. Comr. Bayu Suseno said on Wednesday (31/1/2024).

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Police and the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih) have not yet endorsed civil aviation activities to Bilogai Airport in Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. Civil flights to Intan Jaya have been suspended since the escalation of armed conflict in the region on January 19, 2024.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Bishop of Jayapura, Mgr. Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, has expressed concerns over the deployment of Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police personnel from outside Papua to the region, stating that it instills fear and discomfort among the local residents.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus, Jakarta – Separatist rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region on Wednesday said they would like to release a New Zealand pilot taken hostage nearly a year ago, but officials in Jakarta and Wellington were delaying negotiations for his freedom.

Basten Gokkon, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has invited Turkish investors to help develop an offshore tuna farm in the country's eastern Papua region, which it aims to turn into a major tuna export hub.

Timika, Jubi – On Saturday (27/1/2024), the Acting Regent of Intan Jaya, Apolos Bagau, facilitated a meeting between the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of Intan Jaya Regency and the Intan Jaya people, as well as religious figures in Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya.

Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura Bishop Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You emphasizes that violence and conflict in Papua can only be resolved through peaceful dialogue. This sentiment was expressed during a public discussion organized by the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Secretariat of the Franciscans in Papua, held in Jayapura City on Monday (29/1/2024).

Human rights observers have expressed concerns regarding a series of armed clashes in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, from 19 to 24 January 2024, which resulted in two Papuan men killed and one Papuan woman injured by joint security forces.

Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), emphasized that mining activities in the Wabu Block in Intan Jaya should obtain permission from the indigenous landowners.

Mutia Yuantisya, Jakarta – The West Papua Liberation Army of the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) stated it received an official report from TPNPB troops of VIII Intan Jaya Defense Regional Command, Papua, saying that Commander Undius Kogeya claimed TPNPB troops of Intan Jaya VIII Defense Regional Command attacked the Indonesian military (TNI) and police posts in Titigi.

Theressia Silalahi, Jakarta – Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the running mate for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, promised the traditional leaders in Papua that future development would be more inclusive and not centered around Java.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has explicitly stated that it rejects the agenda of the Indonesian rulers in the territory of West Papua. Specifically the festival of democracy, namely the legislative and presidential elections, which will be held next month on February 14.

Jayapura, Jubi – Jhon Magal, the Director of the Indigenous People's Institution of the Amungme Tribe (LEMASA), has requested President Joko Widodo to conduct a reevaluation of the second Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) concerning underground mining and tailings of PT Freeport Indonesia.

Jayapura, Jubi – In an armed confrontation with combined Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police forces on Sunday (21/1/2024) and Tuesday (23/1/2024), five members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Intan Jaya region were reported dead.

The individuals identified are Oni Kobagau, Jaringan Belau, Agustia, Ones, and Melkias Maisani.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Head of Cartenz Peace Operation, Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, stated that on Sunday (1/21/2024), the joint military/police forces shot three suspected members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province.

Jayapura, Jubi – The second environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) process by PT Freeport Indonesia is currently in progress, with the company expressing optimism that everything will proceed as planned.

Jayapura, Jubi – In response to the armed clash between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Representative Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM Papua), stated that Yusak Sondegau (40), who lost his life during the inciden

Jayapura, Jubi – Menuel John Magal, the Director of the Amungme Indigenous Peoples Community Institution (LEMASA), has stated that in June 2023, they wrote a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Directorate General of Forestry and Environmental Planning, and the Directorate of Prevention of Environmental Impact from Business and Activities in Jakarta.

A meeting held today (22nd January 2024) at the European Parliament called for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently be allowed to investigate the human rights situation in occupied West Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – A pioneer ship has successfully docked in Umar Bay and Yaur Village, Nabire Regency, Central Papua a few days ago. John NR Gobai, a member of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRP) representing the Meepago customary region, revealed that the pioneer ship docked in Umar Bay's Yaur on January 12, 2024.

Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), stated that in 2024, the focus of their efforts will be on monitoring several armed conflict areas in Papua.

Jakarta – Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has promised to prioritize education in Southwest Papua by rolling out a scholarship program for children.

During his campaign in Sorong, the provincial capital, Anies said he had met a child who was unable to attend school because of the high cost of education.

Manokwari, Jubi – The West Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Jhony Edizon Isir has ensured security in the Maybrat region of Southwest Papua, despite the local Regional Election Commission's (KPU) plan to relocate 31 polling stations (TPS) in five districts around Aifat Raya to the Maybrat Regency's capital, Kumurkek.

Ardi Bayage, Jayapura – The public prosecutor (JPU) has demanded a two year prison sentence for West Papua National Committee (KNPB) General Chairperson Agus Kossey and an eight month sentence for Numbay regency KNPB Secretary Benny Murib less time already served in jail.

Wamena, Jubi – In a strategic move to counter the escalating prices of essential commodities in Wamena, the provincial capital of Jayawijaya Regency in Mountainous Papua Province, the Provincial Government is set to embark on the construction of a dedicated logistics warehouse for staple goods.

Nabire, Jubi – Yan C Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Study, and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari, has asserted that the acquittal of Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti in the defamation case involving Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has exposed the veil over military operations that have been ongoing in Papua for over 50 years.

Jayapura, Jubi – The main focus of the Papua Regional Education, Library, and Archives Agency (DPPAD) in 2024 will be addressing Human Development Index, illiteracy eradication, school accreditation, and the construction of permanent school buildings.

Jayapura, Jubi – Out of the 482 local languages in Papua, only nine have undergone revitalization efforts by the Provincial Language Center, as stated by Sukardi Gau, the Head of the Papua Provincial Language Center in Jayapura City on Thursday (11/01/2024).

Jayapura, Jubi – Theodorus Kossay, the Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) for Mountainous Papua Province, revealed the challenges faced by the institution in recruiting 49,950 polling station officers (KPPS) for the 2024 general elections.

Jayapura, Jubi – Farmers in Jayapura City are expressing concerns over the availability and cost of fertilizers. Due to the scarcity and high prices of fertilizers, many farmers are reducing their usage.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia rejected the cassation filed by four TNI soldiers accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency.

The Indonesian government has been addressing past human rights violations, including the Wamena case from 4 April 2003, through non-judicial means, but without engaging with the victims' families.

The pro-independence United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has declared a boycott of the Indonesian elections next month and has called on Papuans to "not bow down to the system or constitution of your Indonesian occupier".

Yamin Kogoya, Jayapura – Papuans regard December as both the most sacred and toughest month of the year.

December holds great significance in West Papua for two distinct reasons. First, the date December 1 signifies a pivotal national moment for Papuans, symbolising the birth of their nationhood.

Manokwari, Jubi – Manuel Yenusi, the head of Sorong Class II B Penitentiary in Manokwari, Southwest Papua reported that 53 inmates escaped following a religious service. The incident occurred on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Yenusi mentioned that the incident coincided with the sound of fireworks after the church service ended at 11:00 a.m. Papua time.

Jayapura, Jubi – Made Sudayasa, an expert cultural officer from the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center of Region XXII in Papua, expressed his concerns regarding the escalating development that jeopardizes the preservation of historical, educational, religious, and cultural artifacts in Papua Province.

Jayapura – The Papuan people and the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in the Meepago area have welcomed the acquittal of Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti who were found not guilty by the East Jakarta District Court on Monday January 8.

Jayapura – West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) spokesperson Sebby Sambom has expressed his gratitude to Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti who were found not guilty by the East Jakarta District Court on Monday January 8.

Sentani, Jubi – The family of Daud Bano, a resident of Kwansu Village in Kemtuk District, Jayapura Regency who died after being slain by an Indonesian Military (TNI) soldier, requests that the perpetrator be fairly and openly prosecuted.

Reiner Brabar, Jayapura – Papuan students in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta have issued a statement containing five demands in response to the ongoing trial in the East Jakarta District Court that has ensnared human rights defenders Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar.

Jayapura, Jubi – In 2023, according to ELSHAM Papua's Director, Rev. Matheus Adadikam, there were numerous instances of arbitrary arrests conducted by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police across various regions in Papua. These incidents occurred in Boven Digoel in January; in Wamena in February; in Puncak Regency in March; and in Nduga in April.

Jayapura, Jubi – Despite the overcast skies following a rainy night, the poignant ceremony bidding farewell to Lukas Enembe, the former Governor of Papua from 2013 to 2023, unfolded solemnly at his residence in Koya Tengah, Muara Tami District, Jayapura City on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Meirto Tangkepayung, Jayapura – A tumult erupted in Kampung Karya Bumi Besum, Namblong District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, on Monday, as dozens of residents expressed their anger through a rampage, setting fire to various facilities and offices.

Jayapura, Jubi – Acting Governor of Papua Ridwan Rumasukun faced a distressing turn of events while partaking in the solemn duty of escorting the body of former Governor Lukas Enembe.

The procession, from Sentani Airport to STAKIN Sentani, took an unforeseen and tumultuous twist when Ridwan Rumasukun was struck by a stone, causing severe head injuries.