Jayapura, Jubi – The PMKRI St. Thomas Aquinas, representing the Indonesian Catholic Student Association, voiced solidarity with the call for a humanitarian pause to alleviate the ongoing armed conflict in Papua.
During the National Study Conference in Denpasar, Bali, activists from 46 PMKRI branches across Indonesia joined in supporting this crucial initiative.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force Head Adj. Sr. Comr. Bayu Suseno revealed the identities of five individuals attacked in Jambul Village, West Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.
Jayapura, Jubi – Three construction workers in a health center in Jambul Village, West Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province lost their lives due to an assault allegedly carried out by a faction associated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on Friday (24/11/2022). Two other workers were also injured during the attack.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian Supreme Court dismissed the appeal made by four Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency. The court's decision is detailed in Ruling Number 291 K/Mil/2023 of the Indonesian Supreme Court.
Jakarta – Indonesia's President Joko Widodo on Friday launched construction of a carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project in West Papua province operated by BP Plc (BP.L), the country's first carbon storage project.
The CCUS project has the potential to store up to 1.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, energy minister Arifin Tasrif said in a statement on Friday.
Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) battalion commander of Ndulamo region, Aibon Kogoya, admitted to being involved in the shooting at Mbamogo Base in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, on Wednesday (22/11/2023).
West Papua independence campaigner Benny Wenda has been elected as president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
This week, the ULMWP held its first ever congress in Jayapura, which was attended by 5,000 indigenous West Papuans from all seven region.
Jayapura, Jubi – A firefight occurred between the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Titigi District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, on Wednesday (22/11/2023). Two mobile brigade (brimob) personnel were shot, one of them passed away.
Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo marked a significant milestone on Thursday with the inauguration of two new airports, Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire, Central Papua Province, and Siboru Airport in Fakfak, West Papua Province.
The move aims to bolster accessibility to the eastern provinces of Papua.
Toe Pyae Naing – Indonesia is currently facing a critical juncture as tensions in the restive region of West Papua continue to mount, raising concerns about the escalation of violence and the need for a peaceful resolution.
Mehrtens, who was a pilot for Susi Air, was taken hostage by TPNPB fighters in February this year, shortly after landing at a remote airstrip.
A new video circulating on social media shows Mehrtens surrounded by armed men. The video said Mehrtens had been given two months to live before he will be shot dead.
Jayapura, Jubi – Students from Cenderawasih University took a firm stance against the scheduled public lecture by Ganjar Pranowo, one of the presidential candidates.
Their demonstration on Tuesday aimed to challenge the university's decision to host only Ganjar for a lecture without including the other two presidential contenders.
Jayapura, Jubi – Following the incident of a 10-year-old student in Sugapa District's Titigi Village suffering injuries from an explosion on November 9, 2023, the Intan Jaya Students Association (IPMI-J) from Jayapura urged local authorities, the military, and the police to take the matter seriously.
Jakarta – Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo was warmly received by thousands of supporters during his visit to Papua on Tuesday.
Upon his arrival in the provincial capital, Jayapura, Ganjar was greeted by leaders from various ethnic groups, students, and religious figures, amid the radiant sunlight in Indonesia's easternmost province.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is holding its first ever congress in Jayapura.
Five thousand West Papuans from all seven regions are in Port Numbay, Jayapura, for the three day gathering.
Jayapura, Jubi – Efforts by the central government to address historical human rights violations, including the Wamena incident on April 4, 2003, persist through non-judicial means, evident in their recent meeting. However, this meeting excluded the involvement of the victims' families.
Jayapura, Jubi – Several civil coalitions expressed dismay over the apprehension of 20 individuals associated with the South Papua People's Student Alliance (AMPERA PS) by Merauke Police on November 18, 2023.
Jayapura, Jubi – In Merauke Regency of South Papua Province, the local police disbanded a peaceful rally on Saturday (18/12/2023), detaining 20 demonstrators who were advocating for the Awyu indigenous people who embroiled in a legal dispute at the Jayapura State Administrative Court.
Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) has spoken out about the circulation of a video containing a threat to shoot Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens who has been held hostage by the group since February.
Uday Bakhshi – On August 28, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) killed a Papuan social worker, Michelle Kurisi Doga (suara.com, August 31). The group alleged that she was collecting data on Papuan refugees and mapping out TPNPB camps for Indonesia's security forces in the restive territory of Nduga.
Jayapura, Jubi – In the midst of ongoing discussions surrounding the incorporation of Freeport shares in Indonesia and the potential extension of mining licenses – a matter reaching its final stages – there is an urgent plea directed at President Joko Widodo and PT Freeport Indonesia.
Nabire, Jubi – Father Yance Wadogoubi Yogi, chairman of the YPPK Regional School Board in Intan Jaya Regency, criticized the placement of explosives in the Titigi Parish area. This act led to the severe injury of a 10-year-old student named MH from the YPPK Titigi Elementary School on November 9, 2023. The perpetrators remain unidentified as of today.
Jayapura, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has thrown its support behind the proposed humanitarian pause aimed at alleviating the armed conflict in Papua, as advocated by national leaders.
Jakarta – The Indonesian government said it would complete a contract extension for PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) by the end of this month, as it seeks to increase its ownership in the copper and gold mining giant., resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo met on Monday with Freeport-McMoran CEO Richard Adkerson in Washington, DC, in a show of commitment to supporting the company's operation in
Antara, Jakarta – Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Papua Province revealed that China is the province's one of the six biggest export destinations with US$138.38 million as of October 2023.
Head of BPS Papa Adriana Helena Carolina stated that amongst the exported commodities are ores, slag, and ash (HS26).
Nabire, Jubi – Teachers and students from the Titigi Catholic Education and School Foundation Elementary (SD YPPK Titigi) protested at the Intan Jaya Regent's Office in Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya, Central Papua Province, on Tuesday (14/11/2023).
Jayapura, Jubi – Students and indigenous advocates protested at the Southwest Papua Forestry Office in Jayapura's Kilo 7 on Monday (13/11/2023), pleading to the Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry to revoke the licenses issued to PT Mancaraya Agro Mandiri and PT Hutan Hijau Papua Barat for forest exploitation.
Jayapura, Jubi – Head of the Komnas HAM Papua Frits Ramandei confirms his party would pursue justice in the murder case of two women, identified as IS and AK, in Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.
Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK announced that it had arrested Acting Regent of Sorong Yen Piet Mosso and four regional officials in a sting operation.
Jakarta – A number of religious figures and prominent human rights activists have called for dialogue to end violence in Papua, where incidents of violence continue as a result of conflict between armed separatist groups and the military and police.
Manokwari, Jubi – Hundreds of local fishermen protested at the West Papua Marine and Fisheries Office on Thursday (9/11/2023). They called on the Fisheries Office to prevent fishing vessels from outside West Papua from operating in the local waters.
Jakarta, Jubi – Several prominent figures in Indonesia issued a collective plea for a humanitarian ceasefire to stop the ongoing armed conflict in Papua.
Riani Sanusi Putri, Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the government readied the development of a sugar factory in Merauke, Papua. Minister Amran claimed to have discussed the matter with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
William James, London – Scientists have rediscovered a long-lost species of mammal described as having the spines of a hedgehog, the snout of an anteater and the feet of a mole, in Indonesia's Cyclops Mountains more than 60 years after it was last recorded.
Jayapura – Victor Yeimo, leader and political figure of the West Papuan independence struggle, has just been awarded the 2023 "Voltaire Empty Chair Award". The international award in the field of human rights was given to Yeimo by the Australian organistion Liberty Victoria on Friday November 10.
Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji, Jakarta – Chief of the Presidential Staff (KSP), Moeldoko, has said that the government is increasingly strengthening its communication with traditional and religious leaders in Papua to free New Zealand Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.
Mehrtens has been held hostage by an armed separatist group since February this year.
Anish Chand – The people of West Papua who are part of Indonesia are our kinsmen, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
He said his appointment as Melanesian Spearhead Group special envoy to Indonesia wasn't to appease Fijians who were West Papua supporters.
Novianti Setuningsih, Jakarta – Eight national figures representing religious leaders, leaders of community organisations (ormas) and human rights activists have called on the government to create peace in the land of Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – According to Ridwan Herdika, the Papua Representative of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), individuals accused of committing human rights crimes in Papua and brought to the human rights court often end up being acquitted.
Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution, Jayapura, Papua – Chief of the Papua Police, Police Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri, has urged the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group to release New Zealander pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens before the current year ends.
"I hope the armed group will immediately free the hostage, and his release will become a Christmas gift," Fakhiri said.
Kelvin Anthony – The Melanesian Spearhead Group has appointed Fiji and Papua New Guinea prime ministers Sitiveni Rabuka and James Marape as special envoys to Indonesia to "address the West Papua issue", a move that has been welcomed by the Pacific Conference of Churches.
Liberty Victoria is awarding the 2023 Voltaire Empty Chair Award to Mr Victor Yeimo, a strong advocate for West Papua's independence from Indonesia and an international spokesperson for the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) and the Papuan People's Petition.
Jayapura, Jubi – Following the rejection of the Awyu Indigenous People's lawsuit against the Papua Province Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP) by the State Administrative Court in Jayapura, various environmental and community groups, as well as students, expressed their disappointment.
Jayapura, Jubi – In Papua, the Press Freedom Index is quite low, with a rating of 64.01, lower than West Papua's index which is 68.22, says Hans Bisay, the chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Papua.
Wamena, Jubi – In three districts within Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua, hundreds of residents have been grappling with hunger since August due to crop failures. As many as 23 residents have lost their lives in this dire situation. The affected districts are Amuma, Panggema, and Anggruk.
Jayapura, Jubi – Benhur Wally, the chairperson of the Jayapura chapter of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) expressed concerns about the shrinking space for the freedom of expression for Indigenous Peoples in Papua.
Douglas Gerrard –- A recent military escalation in West Papua is the latest episode in a long history of repression and dispossession since the island came under Indonesian control. But the authorities in Jakarta still haven't been able to stabilize their rule over West Papua.
Dear Pacific Islands Forum leaders,
On behalf of the Australia West Papua Association (Sydney), I am writing to you concerning the issue of West Papua.
There has been no improvement in the human rights situation in West Papua since the last Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) was held in Suva, Fiji in July 2022.
Jakarta – An Indigenous tribe in Indonesia is at risk of losing vast swathes of ancestral forest after a court threw out its lawsuit against a palm oil firm, rights groups say.
Jakarta – An armed criminal group (KKB) attacked the Amuma community health center (Puskesmas) in Yahukimo regency, Papua, on Tuesday, injuring five healthcare workers, a security official said on Thursday.