Responding to the excessive actions by the police and the state civil servants (ASN) against protests by high school students rejecting the government's free nutritious meals (MBG) program in a number of cities in Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:

Jayapura – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation or TPNPB-OPM has announced that all schools in Papua, especially in armed conflict areas, should go on strike for as long as the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri) use them as military posts.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Presidential Communication Office Head Hasan Nasbi responded to the protest against the free nutritious meal program in Papua. According to him, every individual has the right to reject the program and refuse to enjoy nutritious food.

Jayapura – Today, on Monday February 17, students who are members of the West Papua High School Students Solidarity Front (FSPWP) held peaceful demonstrations against the government's free nutritious meals (MBG) program in a number of cities in the land of Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – The Papua representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has urged the Manokwari Municipal Police (Polresta) to arrest OU immediately, the alleged perpetrator responsible for the shooting of senior advocate and human rights defender Yan Christian Warinussy with an airrifle.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 8 February 2025, five Papuan students were arbitrarily arrested without an arrest warrant by plainclothes officers in Jayapura. The students were identified as Mr Frengky Anouw, Mr Nataniel Pigai, Mr Fransiskus Petege, Mr Esau Kogoya, and Mr Yosua Mote.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 12 February 2025, students from the Puncak Regency, along with an investigative team probing the murder and mutilation of Tarina Murib, attempted to hold a peaceful demonstration at the local parliament Office in Nabire, Papua Tengah Province.

Indonesia, West Papua – Komnas HAM has condemned the use of public facilities such as schools, district offices, and churches as security posts by the Indonesian military (TNI) and police in West Papua, stating that it constitutes a human rights violation.

West Papua – On 26 January 2025, human rights activist Mrs. Tineke Rumkabu attended a worship service at the GIDI Church outpost in Biak, Papua, Indonesia. After the service, around 12:20 pm while she and other church members gathered in the compound, joint security force members arrived and began questioning Mrs Rumkabu about alleged activities related to the Free Papua movement.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 29 January 2025, a student named Herlis Pakaimu died after reportedly being tortured and shot by military members in the town of Kepi, Mappi Regency, Papua Selatan Province. Two other Papuans, Mr Steven Agawemu and Mr Santos Agawemu, were allegedly tortured by the same military personnel.

Jakarta – Thousands of Christians in Papua recently set a national record for having the largest number of people to handwrite the entirety of the Bible.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Journalist Justice and Safety Advocacy Coalition (KAKKJ) in Papua held another peaceful action on Monday February 10 in which they urged the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam) Military Police Detachment (Denpomdam) to revealed the perpetrators of the Molotov bomb attack on the Jubi editorial office last year.

Jayapura – The Bintang Highlands High School and University Student Association (IMPPETANG) together with the Bintang Highlands community held a peaceful demonstration calling for the TNI (Indonesian Military) and Polri (Indonesian Police) to be withdrawn from Bintang Highlands regency.

To mark the 30th anniversary of Christine Anu's version of the iconic hit, My Island Home, Australian world music star Mitch Tambo and his wife Voice of Lele have released a duet and their take on the classic.

Indonesia, West Papua – Prominent Papuan human rights activist Yones Douw died on Sunday, 2 February 2025 at his home in Karang Timur, Kali Harapan Village, Nabire District, Papua Tengah Province.

Jakarta – The government plans to provide pardons or amnesty for around 44 thousand prisoners. One of the categories of prisoners who will receive amnesty are political prisoners related to Papua.

Jayapura – In order to manage the armed conflict that has plagued the Indonesian region of West Papua for decades, the Indonesian government, led by the new President Prabowo Subianto, is considering an amnesty for the independence rebels in Papua.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, responded to the rejection by students in the Papua Highlands region who refused the government's provision of free nutritious meals (MBG) program. According to her, the students may not yet understand President Prabowo Subianto's good intentions in implementing the MBG.

Elisa Sekenyap, Jayapura – The Papua People's Council (MRP) says that the people of Central Papua have openly complained about and reject the free nutritious meals (MBG) program launched by the central government.

This was conveyed by the Central Papua province MRP based on complaints and the direct opposition by the community.

European Union, Indonesia, West Papua – In 2020, the European Commission launched the European Green Deal, an ambitious policy framework targeting climate neutrality across the European Union (EU) by 2050. Central to this initiative is the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a policy designed to ensure that products entering the EU market are deforestation-free.

Kurt Bayer – In February 2023, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped by armed rebels in Indonesia's volatile Papua region. He would spend 594 days in captivity before he was finally released, after a fraught, behind-closed-doors diplomatic effort.

Meenakshi Ganguly – The Indonesian administration of President Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo is sending mixed signals about a proposed amnesty to tens of thousands of Papuans convicted or facing charges for allegedly backing the armed secessionist movement in West Papua.

Caleb Fotheringham – The international advocacy group, Human Rights watch, has put out a plea to Indonesia's President to stop human rights abuses in West Papua.

President Prabowo Subianto has just completed 100 days in the job.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been alerted to the risk that copper produced at the Grasberg Mine, West Papua, Indonesia, and used in copper products traded on the London Metal Exchange, could constitute "criminal property" under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Budi Hernawan, Indonesia – Civicus speaks to Budi Hernawan, human rights defender and senior lecturer at Driyarkara School of Philosophy in Jakarta.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – The Indonesian government still has outstanding issues of resolving cases of human rights (HAM) including in the land of Papua. The practice of impunity or legal immunity for the perpetrators has made finding a solution drag on further.

A West Papuan advocacy group is calling for an urgent international inquiry into allegations that Indonesian security forces have used the chemical weapon white phosphorus against West Papuans for a second time.

The allegations were made in the new documentary, Frontier War, by Paradise Broadcasting.

Victor Mambor and Tria Dianti, Jayapura, Indonesia, and Jakarta – The Indonesian government's proposal to grant amnesty to pro-independence rebels in Papua has stirred skepticism as the administration of new President Prabowo Subianto seeks to deal with the country's most protracted armed conflict.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 6-page document lists cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns; escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua; and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 October to 31 December 2024.

Human rights

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Head of Information at the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Major General Hariyanto, said the government's plan to pardon prisoners linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) will not disrupt the security in Papua.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – The Papuan people have continuously been victims of the militaristic practices carried out by the Indonesian government since 1963.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto will only grant amnesty to inmates who have not been involved in armed insurgency for now, despite calls otherwise, according to Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas.

Presented by Bill Birtles – Indonesia's President is considering an amnesty for detained political activists in the country's far eastern Papua region. The area's armed pro-independence movement regularly clashes with Indonesian security forces. Activists are cautious about the olive branch.

Denny Armandhanu, Izzah Aqilah Norman, Jakarta – Papua province's Youtefa Bay, known for its azure waters and lush mangrove forests, has seen infrastructure development that has helped improve locals' lives and the economy.

Cafes and restaurants have mushroomed there since the Youtefa bridge's inauguration by then-Indonesian president Joko Widodo in 2019, for instance.

Reuters, Ananda Teresia, Jakarta – Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto is considering pardons for prisoners linked to armed organizations in the restive easternmost province of Papua, including separatists, providing they renounce violence and abandon secessionist agendas, a senior minister said on Wednesday.

Victor Mambor, Kurinbin, Papua, Indonesia – On a hilltop accessible only by hours traversing dense jungle on foot, the influential Kimko Jinipjo clan in Indonesia's Papua region gathered for a rare ceremony called "Awon Atatbon" earlier this month.

Moffat Mamu – Leader of Opposition Matthew has strongly condemned the latest murders in West Papua by the Indonesian military.

Hon Wale's call comes amidst recent media reports of Indonesian military unit that are roaming Intan Jaya Regency, slaughtering West Papuans at will. The recent killings have also included minors.

Church officials in Indonesia have rejected Indonesian security forces' claims of normalcy in a conflict zone in Papua, expressing concerns about the situation of displaced people and their safety.

The Church leaders said the security situation in the five villages in Oksop district is not yet normal, according to reports from pastoral officers of the Church in the field.

Jayapura – The sudden occupation of forest areas and villages of indigenous peoples by the massive deployment of military units in the Indonesian region of Papua is becoming a constant that marks the life of an entire region with its human and natural heritage.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 28 November 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Parim Village, Serambakon District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, when Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel killed Mr Methodius Uropmabin, 28, and Mr Nerius Oktemka, 25.

Ali Mirin – In a concerted effort to stifle support for West Papua's aspiration for independence, Indonesia has embarked on diplomatic initiatives with Pacific nations and communities.

Ali Mirin – Indonesia officially joined the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa – consortium last week marking a significant milestone in its foreign relations.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 10 December 2024, a group of students from the Walter Post School of Theology (STT) in Jayapura were arbitrarily stopped by police while they were driving to a public commemoration worship for the Human Rights Day, organised by the Papuan Council of Churches and Indigenous Pastors.

Jakarta – Police are intensifying security patrols in Yalimo regency, Papua Highlands, following the shooting of two civilians last week, as they seek to stabilize the situation and capture the shooter.

Indonesia, West Papua – Protests by Papuan students in the cities of Yogyakarta, Java Tengah Province, and Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan Province) were forcefully dispersed by police officers on 1 and 2 December 2024 in commemoration of the 1st December 1961.

Franky Samperante, Jakarta – The narrative of "empty land/unproductive forest" or "no forest/no trees" is often used by authorities to negate and delegitimize the existence of indigenous communities and the surrounding natural environment.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The Papua representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is urging the Manokwari Municipal Police (Polresta) to immediately arrest OU, the alleged perpetrators of the shooting of senior advocate and human rights defender Yan Christian Warinussy in Manokwari regency, West Papua, on July 17 last year.

Indonesia, West Papua – Human Rights Monitor's latest investigation reveals evidence of widespread and systematic attacks against indigenous civilians in Indonesia's Papua Tengah Province during security force operations in April 2023.

Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – Two civilians were killed in Elelim District, Yalimo, Papua Mountains, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Both were immigrants from South Sulawesi who were working in Bumi Cendrawasih.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 1 November 2024, the Supreme Court of Indonesia rejected the cassation appeal filed by Mr Hendrikus Franky Woro, an environmental advocate and member of the indigenous Awyu tribe, regarding the environmental feasibility permit granted to PT Indo Asiana Lestari (IAL).