From KNPB and West Papua Media sources in Jayapura – A cultural parade organised by university students in Jayapura was blockaded and then dispersed with force by Indonesian police on February 17, after Indonesian police refused to recognise West Papuan cultural expression.

Condemnation has erupted at the decision by a court in West Papua province to hand down a two-year sentence to a police officer for illegal logging, despite strong evidence that he may have laundered up to Rp 1.5 trillion ($127 million) in funds obtained from smuggling fuel and exporting a protected timber species.

Jakarta – A court in Papua was unable to convict a low-ranking police officer of money laundering on Monday despite evidence of wire transfers totalling Rp 1.5 trillion ($129 million) from his bank accounts and the confiscation of 400,000 liters of fuel and tons of illegal lumber on a boat registered in his name.

Sentani – As many as 296 soldiers based in Papua have received teaching certificates, allowing them to teach in remote areas.

"The soldiers will undergo training in teaching for more than a month in order to make them ready to teach," said Commander (Pangdam) of Millitary Area XVII of Cenderawasih, Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua in Sentani on Saturday (2/15).

Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights, Komnas HAM, has released its findings regarding serious human rights violations in the Freeport big Gossan tunnel cave-in that claimed the lives of 28 workers in Papua.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – A bloody clash between two groups in Timika, Papua, has claimed one life and severely injured 28 others. The clash lasted two days.

The police said the situation remained critical as there were no signs of peace from the conflicting parties.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The Jayapura Corruption Court sentenced on Monday former West Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) speaker Yosef Yohan Auri to 15 months in jail and fined him Rp 50 million (US$4,100) for misappropriating Rp 22 billion that initially came from the West Papua provincial budget in 2010.

Biak, Papua – The district court of Biak, Papua sentenced Oktavianus Warnares, defendant in the separatist "Morning Star" flag raising case in Biak Timur, Papua, on May 1, 2013, to three years imprisonment, here on Tuesday.

The chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Victor Tutugoro, says the group's special meeting to discuss the outcome of a visit to Indonesia's West Papua has been put off until the end of this month.

The trip, which was boycotted by Vanuatu, was meant to discover more about the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation, which is seeking MSG membership.

Banjir Ambarita, Jayapura – Five Indonesian fishermen remained missing as of Sunday after military officers in neighboring Papua New Guinea allegedly told them to jump off their boat before setting it on fire.

Joe Collins from the Australia West Papua Association responds to Peter McCawley's item on Peter Cosgrove's views on Indonesia, a piece which also mentioned Ambassador Greg Moriarty:

Marni Cordell – Villagers in a remote West Papuan town have described being beaten and having guns pointed at their heads during a "terrifying" police and military operation at a local church.

Up to 30 activists were arrested during the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) visit to the West Papua provincial capital of Jayapura on 13 January. Supporters of West Papuan independence say the visit was hijacked by Jakarta to thwart the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) bid to join the MSG.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Officials at Sentani Airport in Jayapura, Papua, arrested a man, identified as KDM, 30, because he was carrying eight 8.4 mm carbine cartridges on Monday.

Sentani Airport Police sub-precinct chief, First Insp. Abraham Soumilena, said that the airport officials found the ammunition in his bag when it was scanned by an x-ray device.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Police have arrested ten suspects from the Papua shooting incident that claimed an army personnel from 753 Battalion First Private Sugianto in Mulia, Puncak Jaya District on Friday.

"We have arrested ten persons. The interception was conducted in cooperation with the team," stated Chief of Indonesian Police General Sutarman here, on Monday.

Banjir Ambarita, Jayapura – The Indonesian security forces killed one member of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) during a firefight in Yapen Waropen district on Saturday, arresting 11 others in the latest crackdown on the separatist group this restive province.

Robert Matau – The Melanesian Spearhead Group heads into further talks this month to seek more answers from the MSG mission that failed to meet indigenous West Papuan leaders in West Papua last month.

Satria Sambijantoro, Jakarta – The Indonesian government said on Thursday that it would stick to its guns on the export tax for unprocessed ores, defying stern opposition and lobbying attempts from US-based mining giants Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc. and Newmont Mining Corp.

Port Vila, Vanuatu – The head of the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation, Andy Ayamiseba, said the Melanesian Spearhead Group's (MSG) fact-finding mission to Indonesia and West Papua fell short of its mandate.

The National Police have arrested an alleged member of the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM) who was accused of recently killing a soldier in Puncak Jaya, Papua.

Auckland (Green Party/Pacific Media Watch) – The Green Party is calling on the New Zealand government to end their $6.3 million police training programme in West Papua in light of new evidence from a New Zealand journalist about abuses being carried out by the police.

Banjir Ambarita, Jayapura – Local residents in the Mulia subdistrict of Puncak Jaya, Papua, have yet to resume their normal activities due to an ongoing firefight in the area between forces from the Indonesian Military, or TNI, and members of the separatist Free Papua Organization, known as the OPM.

Jayapura – Three Indonesian guerillas and a soldier were killed in an exchange of gunfire in the latest bout of violence in Papua province, home to a US-owned mine.

Paul Bensemann – The West Papuan farmer showed me scars on his head he claimed police caused nearly two years ago.

His eyes were still bloodshot after a beating by rifle butts, boots and rattan sticks. The left eye, scarred on its edge, seemed slightly out of place.

Margareth S. Aritonang and Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – In a move that will irk officials in Jakarta, a group of activists have spoken about the human rights situation in the West Papua and Papua provinces at the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights.

Hariet Conron – At the launch of its 2014 World Report on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch called on the government to lift the ban on foreign journalists entering the volatile provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Marni Cordell – Five West Papuan men are facing 15 years or more in jail for raising the banned morning star flag, while a sixth man has been deemed unfit to face trial after being beaten by security forces so badly that he now has mental health issues, according to the group's lawyer.

A member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group says it is not possible to accept the application of a West Papuan group into the MSG because it's not the only organisation that represents West Papuans.

The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation believes a visit by a Melanesian Spearhead Group delegation to Papua last week would have been revealing, despite no meetings with civil society groups taking place.

The director general of the Melanesian Spearhead Group has confirmed a special Leaders meeting will be held in Vanuatu next month.

Peter Forau says the agenda is still being consulted on but it will address issues of importance to MSG cooperation, notably the West Papua issue.

Jakarta – The European Parliament's hearing on human rights in Papua, Indonesia, is an important opportunity to raise concerns and press for improvements in the area's grave human rights situation, the New York-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.

Marni Cordell – Despite earlier pledging support for West Papuan independence, Pacific leaders bloc agrees not to interfere in Indonesia's affairs

A group of Pacific Island nations has agreed not to interfere in Indonesia's administration of West Papua, despite earlier pledging their support for the West Papuan independence push.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The condition in Mulia, the seat of Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, remains stable despite shooting incidents and the theft of assault rifles from the the police by separatists.

"The European Parliament's hearing on Papua should spotlight the serious human rights challenges and the Indonesian government's needed reforms. Indonesia should realize that abuses by state security forces are a recipe for instability and lawlessness." – Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director

The chairperson of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association believes Indonesia is trying to divide members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and weaken their stance on West Papua.

He says it is now unlikely the Vanuatu-based West Papuan separatist group will be admitted as a full member. Last week Mr Natapei boycotted an MSG foreign ministers mission to Indonesia, saying it's agenda had been hijacked by Jakarta. But he says Vanuatu won't be giving up on its quest to have the West Papuans admitted.

Presenter: Hiliare Bule

Ina Parlina and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) member nations that have often voiced concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Papua said on Wednesday they fully respected Indonesia's sovereignty.

Jayapura – Indonesian military attack helicopters and dozens of armed soldiers "secured" the travel route in an attempt to stop Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) officials from seeing West Papuan protesters, activist sources reported.

The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation says the Indonesia visit by the foreign ministers from the Melanesian Spearhead Group has defeated the mandate given at the last MSG summit.

Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Edward Natapei believes recent events will make it more difficult to push for the admission of a West Papuan group into the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Pacific Media Centre news desk – The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation says foreign ministers from the Melanesian Spearhead Group have been able to see first hand Indonesia's suppression of the Papuans, reports Radio New Zealand International.

West Papuans have sought self-determination since Indonesia seized control of the former Dutch colony in the 1960s.

The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation says foreign ministers from the Melanesian Spearhead Group have been able to see first hand Indonesia's suppression of the Papuans.

Papua has seen an insurgency since Indonesia took control of the former Dutch colony in the 1960s.

Gemima Harvey – The suspicious death of a rebel leader is the latest in a long line of alleged human rights abuses.

Bagus BT Saragih and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to receive foreign ministers from Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) member nations at the State Palace on Wednesday, in a move seen by many as part of the government's attempt to woo the group, which has often voiced concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Papua.

Donvito Samartha dan Desa Apridini, Jakarta – A group of West Papuan students tried to block a vehicle transporting state guests from the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) as it was exiting the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta on January 15.

The students were calling on the ministers to cancel a meeting with the Indonesian government.

Bagus BT Saragih and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – At least 21 activists were reportedly arrested by the police when they staged a number of rallies during a visit made by the foreign minister of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to Jayapura, West Papua.

Cunding, Jayapura – As many as 30 Free Papua activists were arrested by police at a demonstration on the grounds of the Papuan Regional House of Representatives (DPRP) in Jayapura city, Papua, on Monday January 13.

An intergovernmental delegation of Melanesian countries arrived in Papua on Monday on an official visit to assess the Indonesian province's application to become a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Arnold Belau, Jayapura – Papuan Central Highlands Indonesian Student Association (AMPTPI) General Secretary Markus Haluk, along with scores of other Papuan activists, were arrested by police in front of the Papuan Regional House of Representatives (DPRP) as they were holding a demonstration to welcome the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) delegation that arrived in Jayapura on Monday

Kanupriya Kapoor & Yayat Supriatna – Indonesia, one of the world's biggest resource exporters, halted all mineral ore exports on Sunday in a bid to promote domestic processing, but the country's president passed a last-minute regulation to ease the ban's impact on major miners.