The Indonesian Military (TNI) has officially escalated its operational status in West Papua to "ground combat ready" following a clash with the West Papuan Liberation Army over the weekend with multiple casualties reported on both sides.
TNI commander Yudo Margono made the announcement in Jakarta on Tuesday upon returning from West Papua.
Sentani, Jubi – Emanuel Gobay, the coordinator of the Papua Law and Human Rights Coalition and legal counsel to Viktor Yeimo, said there was often discrimination by the security forces when guarding the trial against Yeimo at the Jayapura District Court.
Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – The deployment of 1,200 Indonesian Military soldiers to the XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command in West Papua and Southwest Papua drew public protest, including residents of Maybrat Regency joined in Aliansi Masyarakat Maybrat Peduli Kenyamanan.
Wamena, Jubi – The Kuyawage Truth Seeking Team, which consists of six representatives of community organizations including women leaders, youth leaders, church leaders, and students, as well as representatives of the Nduga Administration, investigates the alleged shootings and abductions of civilians and minors by joint Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police forces.
Nicholas Yong & Jonathan Head – The kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot by separatists in Indonesia's West Papua region has thrust a decades-old insurgency back into the spotlight.
Philip Mehrtens, 37, was taken hostage by West Papua National Liberation Army fighters (TPNPB) in February.
Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta S, Jakarta – The Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin urged members of the National Police (Polri) and Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) to take a firm stand against armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua.
Sebastian Strangio – Separatist gunmen have killed at least one Indonesian soldier in an attack on a squad of troops attempting to rescue a New Zealand pilot who has been held captive in a remote part of highland Papua since February.
Jake Kenny, Alfian Kartono and Niniek Karmini – A friend of a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by Indonesian rebels says he's disappointed by the latest failed attempt to rescue his mate, which cost lives.
Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region killed nine army personnel after Jakarta did not respond to a request for negotiations, a rebel spokesperson said on Sunday.
A military spokesperson in Papua, Herman Taryaman, confirmed the Saturday attack but could not confirm the number of soldiers killed as communications were cut due to bad weather.
Alfian Kartono and Niniek Karmini, Jayapura, Indonesia – Separatist gunmen opened fire on a military post in Indonesia's restive Papua province, killing at least six soldiers and leaving dozens of others missing, the army and the rebels said Sunday.
Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Deputy Coordinator for Advocacy Tioria Pretty says that nationalist policies will not resolve the structural problems in Papua.
Jakarta – Authorities in Papua have reported that a civilian turbine engine aircraft was shot by members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) upon landing at Beoga Airport in Puncak regency, Central Papua, on Friday morning.
Sr. Comr. Donny Charles Go, spokesperson for the Cartenz Peace Operation, said the shots tore holes in the plane but that there had been no injuries.
Pizaro Gozali Idrus and Victor Mambor, Jakarta and Jayapura – The Indonesian military on Friday accused separatist rebels in the restive Papua region of killing civilians, expelling non-Papuan traders and forcing villagers to flee their homes, charges denied by the insurgents.
Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) research and mobilisation division head Rozy Brilian says that the Indonesian government always refuses to hold a dialogue with Papuan armed criminal groups (KKB).
A West Papuan leader has accused Indonesia of imposing a "martial law" on the Melanesian region in response to the kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot by rebels fighting Jakarta's contested rule.
Manokwari, Jubi – Since the West Trans Papua Road was established in 2014, residents of Kebar Valley in Tambrauw Regency have been conflicted as Bintuni Agro Prima Perkasa Ltd. (BAPP) planned to open a corn plantation.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Association of Moni Students (IPMMO) in Java-Bali assesses that the armed conflict in Intan Jaya Regency is increasingly heating up with the ongoing sweeping carried out by security forces.
This resulted in people in several villages such as Munumai, Matalipa, Mbamogo, and Dangoa to flee.
Jayapura, Jubi – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) noted that throughout 2022, there were at least 46 cases of violence in Papua. Komnas HAM continues to encourage various efforts to resolve violence in Papua, including through peaceful dialogue.
Jayapura, Jubi – The police on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, dispersed a silent protest demanding the release of Viktor Yeimo before the Jayapura District Court. The police also beat and allegedly arrested a man named Iman Kogoya.
Jayapura, Jubi – Head of the Papua Representative of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua) Frits Ramandey said he was ready to follow up on the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) request for the Indonesian government to stop military operations in Nduga Regency as a condition for negotiating the release of the Susi Air pilot held hostage by TPNPB.
Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, has seized assets including 1 kilogram of gold nugget belonging to disgraced Papua Governor Lukas Enembe from his home in upscale housing complex Pantai Indah Kapuk in West Jakarta, an attorney for the graft suspect said on Wednesday.
Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – Human rights watchdog Amnesty International Indonesia has openly protested the arrest made by police against 76 activists in Jayapura, Papua as the people were spreading leaflets demanding the release of Victor Yeimo who was accused by authorities of committing treason.
News Desk, Jakarta – Human rights group Amnesty International Indonesia (AII) on Monday called for the release of 76 activists who were arrested in Jayapura, Papua, for distributing flyers, saying the crackdown had been a setback to free speech in the region.
Merauke, Jubi – The Wiachar Student Association (IMAWI) of Mappi Regency in South Papua Province rejected the government's plan to build a container port on the customary land area of the Wiachar tribe in Sumuruman Village, Minyamur District, Mappi.
Jayapura, Jubi – Spokesperson for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Ones Suhuniap said at least 37 KNPB activists were arrested by police in Sentani and Abepura for distributing leaflets on Monday, 10 April, 2023, calling the people to join a protest demanding the release of Viktor Yeimo, the KNPB international spokesperson currently on trial at the Jayapura District Court fo
Jayapura, Jubi – A total of 13 West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Sentani activists were arrested by police at the Sentani Old Market in Jayapura Regency on Saturday, April 8, 2023, while distributing leaflets calling for the people to join a protest demanding the release of KPNB activist charged for alleged treason, Viktor Yeimo.
Jayapura, Jubi – Secretary of the Papua Provincial Health Office Aaron Rumainum said the number of specialists in Papua Province was sufficient but their distribution to nine regencies and cities across Papua was not equal.
Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia is urging the police to release 76 Papuan activists that were arrested for distributing leaflets calling for the release of Victor Yeimo, who is currently on trial for treason.
Amnesty International Executive Director Usman Hamid said all of the activists should be released without exception.
Phillip Mehrtens – The authorities in Indonesia's Papua region say the search for a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by the West Papua Liberation Movement has been extended.
Philip Mehrtens, a pilot for Susi Airlines, was taken hostage in the remote Nduga district on 7 February.
M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – Separatist group Free Papua Movement or OPM asked to have a peaceful negotiation with the Indonesian government, the Military (TNI), and the police concerning the hostage of Philip Mark Merthens, a pilot for Susi Air. They asked the TNI and the police to stop military operations to rescue to New Zealand man.
Makassar – A demonstration by Papuan students commemorating 56 years of PT Freeport Indonesia in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on April 7 was broken up by the Indonesian Muslim Brigade (BMI) and a biker gang as the protesters were marching towards the Mandala Monument.
Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) stated that they are willing to release New Zealand pilot Captain Philips Max Mehrtens through peace negotiations.
BTV, Jakarta – Indonesian Military Chief General Yudo Margono said on Wednesday he prefers peaceful means to rescue a pilot from New Zealand who has been taken hostage by the separatist group Free Papua Movement, or OPM, for almost two months now.
Yudo said the use of a military operation risks civilian casualties and could be politicized by the rebels.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (ELSHAM Papua) assesses that the Indonesian government lacks seriousness in resolving past human rights violations. ELSHAM Papua also said that the non-judicial settlement of past rights violations carried out by the state was only meant to fulfil President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's political promises.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Student and People's Caring for Papua Front held a free speech at the Mimika student dormitory in Jayapura City on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. They called on all warring parties to stop all forms of violence and find peaceful solutions to resolve problems in Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Regional Coordinator of the Kemah Injil Indonesia Church (GKII), Hans Wakerkwa, said that in late March to early April there were a number of house burnings and arrests of civilians in the pursuit of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police in Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.
Jayapura, Jubi – The peaceful expression of Papuan students in Bali has again been repressed. On April 1, the Papuan Student Alliance of the Bali City Committee (AMP KK) who was going to take to the street was blocked by a mass organization. Protesters were thrown stones and several people injured.
Aryo Mahendro, Denpasar – The Bali Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) has slammed the attitude of the police for allowing a clash to occur between the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) Bali and the social organisation (ormas) the Nusantara Garuda Patriots (PGN) Bali.
LBH Bali lawyer Rezky Pratiwi said that allowing the clash to occur was a human rights violation.
The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) in Bali City held a rally on April the first, calling on the Indonesian government to hold a referendum for self-determination for the Papuan people. The theme of the rally was, "Democracy and Human Rights Die, Papuan People Suffocate"
Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura District Court on Friday, March 31, 2023, held another trial against International Spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Viktor Yeimo. In the hearing, Yiemo's criminal expert witness Amira Paripurna said that anti-racism protests and referendum demands were not treason.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) in Bali City on Saturday, April 1, 2023, failed to hold a peaceful protest after it was blocked and attacked by the Patriot Garuda Nusantara (PGN) mass organization. The PGN held them in the campus area of Udayana University.
The Australia West Papua Association has condemned an Indonesian crackdown on a peaceful Papua self-determination rally in Bali at the weekend after a militant nationalist group targeted the Papuan students.
The Working Group for the Safety of Papuan Land Journalists was launched on April 1 in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, involving journalist organizations, indigenous people and Church organizations.
I Dewa Gede Rastana, Denpasar – A clash broke out between the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) Bali committee, which was intending to hold a demonstration articulating the issue of human rights, and the social organisation the Bali Nusantara Garuda Patriots (PGN) on Saturday April 1.
Philip Cass – Words matter when telling the story of West Papua's continuing struggle for independence.
Recently, New Zealand media carried reports of the kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot by a militant West Papuan group allied to the independence struggle.
Merauke, Jubi – The AIDS Commission (KPA) of Merauke Regency in South Papua cannot carry out more intense programs for HIV/AIDS prevention because the budget allocation from the local government for the commission is very limited.
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D Fakhiri on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, said his party wanted to ensure that security disturbances in Puncak Jaya did not further widen. "For Puncak, we immediately do serious handling," he said.
Jayapura, Jubi – Statistics Indonesia (BPS) of Papua Province noted that the number of voters in the 2024 General Election in Papua Province would be 700,000. The number is calculated from the total population of Papua, based on 2022 census data of one million people.
Today, Indonesia has shown that even humanitarianism is illegal in West Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura District Court on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, has held a hearing to read out the charges against Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, a student of the University of Science and Technology Jayapura (USTJ), who was charged with treason for calling for a referendum and raising the Morning Star flag.