Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has told Indonesia's president Joko Widodo that PNG has no right to criticise Jakarta over what he calls alleged human rights abuses in West Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – On Thursday, September 7, 2023, three students of the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) who had been convicted in a treason case, were released from the Abepura Prison in Jayapura City. They were picked up by a group of student activists in Jayapura City.

Jayapura, Jubi – The initial report concerning the homicide of Michelle Kurisi has been forwarded to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). Frits Ramandey, the head of the Papua Representative of Komnas HAM, stated on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, that his office had submitted an initial report on the Michelle Kurisi murder case to Komnas HAM in Jakarta.

Jayapura, Jubi – On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the Military Court III-14 in Denpasar, Bali officially delivered its verdict, acquitting of all charges the murder defendants of Papuan teenagers Eden Bebari and Ronny Wandik, First Sgt. Vicentie De Oliviara and Chief Pvt. Bahari Muhrim of the Yonif Raider 900/SBW Unit.

Jayapura, Jubi – Local Papuan traders have urged the Jayapura City Administration to supervise and enforce Regional Regulation No. 10/2018, which focuses on safeguarding and empowering local traders, particularly Indigenous Papuans in the market.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has declared it will now base itself in the region after years of partial exile.

At a conference in Port Vila late last month – coinciding with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit – UK-based Benny Wenda stood down as president. Menase Tabuni is now president.

Isabella Rayner – The Indonesian government has denied claims it intimidated and bribed a Radio New Zealand (RNZ) journalist during a leader's meeting last month.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry has spoken out over allegations that the Indonesian delegation at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders Summit in Port Vila tried to bribe and intimidate a Radio New Zealand (RNZ) journalist in late August.

Jayapura, Jubi – Namantus Gwijangge, a Papuan lawmaker, has called upon the West Papua National Liberation Army Group (TPNPB), led by Egianus Kogoya, to adhere to humanitarian principles and respect the right to life of civilians residing in conflict zones.

Nadine Roberts – Sebby Sambon used to regularly hear from kidnapped Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens' captors but three months ago that stopped.

Mehrtens was taken by the West Papua Liberation Army after members stormed his plane in the Papua province of Indonesia and set it on fire in February.

Koroi Hawkins – A Radio New Zealand journalist says an Indonesian government official attempted to bribe and intimidate him at the recent 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders' meeting in Port Vila.

The Indonesian government has responded on Monday saying it will "surely look" into the claims.

Len Garae – The population of West Papua represented by United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) have an Interim President to succeed Mr. Benny Wenda.

He is Mr. Manase Tabuni, 45, who risked finding his way to attend the recent ULMWP Summit here in Port Vila.

Wamena, Jubi – Human Rights Lawyers Association (PAHAM) Papua demands a thorough and impartial investigation into the death of Michelle Kurisi, a civilian who was tragically killed on August 28, 2023, in Kolawa District, Lanny Jaya Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.

Jayapura, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has called on the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the murder of Michelle Kurisi Ndoga in Lanny Jaya Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.

Vanuatu Daily Post civil society correspondents have written in unison condemning the failure of the Melanesian Spearhead Group to admit West Papua as full members of the organisation at last month's leaders' summit in Port Vila.

Press freedom in Indonesia's predominantly Christian Papua province is now the worst in the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian nation, according to a recent survey.

Duncan Graham – An Australian academic is risking an eruption of diplomatic fury by publicly criticising Indonesia's brutal response to the Papuan independence movement, a hypersensitive topic for the governments of both countries.

Jayapura, Jubi – Spokesperson of the XVII Cenderawasih Military Command Lt. Col. Inf Johanis Parinussa refuted the statement of Sebby Sambom, the spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), which claimed that the TPNPB Ndugama group had murdered an Indigenous Papuan named Michelle Kurisi Ndoga in Kimbim, Jayawijaya Regency.

Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has expressed disappointment with the Prime Minister's stand on the West Papua issue labelling it as 'hypocritical'.

Hon Wale said the current Prime Minister used to be a strong supporter and advocator for West Papua in the past but he has taken a 180-degree on the issue.

A provincial government in West Papua has launched a campaign to promote fish consumption among school students to help overcome the condition, which is generally caused by poor nutrition.

The Antara news agency quotes governor George Yarangga saying this is an extension of a programme that has been used in other parts of Indonesia for nearly 20 years.

An Australian advocacy group in support of West Papuan self-determination has criticised the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders for failing to grant West Papua full membership in the organisation at last week's summit in Port Vila.

Yamin Kogoya – The Jakarta District Court heard the case of alleged bribery and gratification against suspended Papua governor Lukas Enembe on Monday with evidence from expert witnesses saying that an audit showed records to be "clean and accurate".

The hearing was convened to hear the testimony of three expert witnesses on the allegations against Governor Enembe.

Len Garae, Port Vila – The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has failed West Papua, says a Vanuatu government champion of West Papuan self-determination.

In spite of again being denied full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has welcomed the call from the MSG Leaders' Summit in Port Vila last week for Indonesia to allow the long-awaited visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua.

Timika, Jubi – The families of the murder and mutilation victims in Mimika Regency expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision made by the Appellate Judges Panel of the Surabaya High Military Court III, which reduced the sentence for Maj. Inf. Helmanto Fransiskus Dakhi, the defendant, from life imprisonment to 15 years in jail.

Doddy Morris, Port Vila – The controversial multimilion dollar funding that Indonesia is providing to Vanuatu comes in response to a request made by the Vanuatu government, says the Indonesian Ambassador of Indonesia to Vanuatu and Australia.

Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) led by Benny Wenda presented a false report on the situation in Papua at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Summit, forcing Indonesia to walk out of the forum.

Jayapura, Jubi – Tropical glaciers in Papua are predicted to vanish within the next three years. The melting of the glacier on Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Indonesia at 4,884 meters, is being accelerated by this year's El Nino phenomenon.

Grant Wyeth – Last week the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders' Summit was held in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The MSG is a regional body that includes Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea as well as the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), an alliance of pro-independence political parties in New Caledonia.

A one-year moratorium has been placed on Indonesia's application to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Prime Minister James Marape said this was so that Pacific Island Forum could address the West Papua issue and specifically human rights allegations in the province.

A West Papuan leader has condemned the Melanesian Spearhead Group for abandoning the West Papuan cause in favour of a "corrupt alliance" with Indonesia.

Jeffrey P Bomanak, chairman of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM), declared last week's MSG Leaders' Summit ruling on West Papua a "betrayal" of the Papuan people and called for the regional group to be dissolved.

Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker – The democratic world of the G7 to China all view Indonesia in the prism of geopolitics. Accordingly, the indigenous West Papuans face endless Javanese colonialism at the hands of Indonesia.

Stephen Dziedzic and Birtles Bill – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) had been pressing to gain full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) – which includes Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea – in what would have given the organisation a rare diplomatic victory in its search for international recognition.

David Robie – The Melanesian Spearhead Group has thrown away a golden chance for achieving a historical step towards justice and peace in West Papua by lacking the courage to accept the main Papuan self-determination advocacy movement as full members.

Kelvin Anthony, Port Vila – The leaders of five Melanesian countries and territories avoided a definitive update on the status of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua's application for full membership in Port Vila.

Onoy Lokobal, Wamena – The Republic of Indonesia delegation, who are taking part in the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders Summit (KTT) in Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, staged a "walkout" during a session on Wednesday August 23.

Jayapura, Jubi – An attack resulting in the tragic death of a Marine soldier occurred in Kampung Baru, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua Province on Monday, August 21, 2023. The attack, allegedly done by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), targeted the Border Security Task Force Post of Yon 7 Marines.

Sentani, Jubi – Yulius Kekri, the chief of Muaif Village, has made a formal request to the local Education Office to suspend the salaries of nine teachers with civil servant status who are employed at Muaif State Elementary School in Demta District, Jayapura Regency. These teachers have not fulfilled their responsibilities, prompting the request from the village chief.

Jayapura, Jubi – Greenpeace Indonesia calls on the Papua Provincial Government to make a commitment to a low-carbon development strategy in Papua. The organization emphasizes that the government's dedication is pivotal to ensure the sustainability and preservation of Papua's natural forests.

Aprila Wayar – As Indonesian forces continue their manhunt for a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by Papuan resistance fighters in February, the chances of his peaceful release are growing slimmer – and the governments involved are slowly waking up to the reality that the warning signs were there, but were ignored.

Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Former Jakarta governor and presidential hopeful from the Coalition for Change and Unity (KPP), Anies Baswedan, says that the solution to the armed conflict in Papua is policies that create to a sense of justice.

Rt Hon Chris Hipkins
Prime Minister
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
n.mahuta@ministers.govt.nz; c.hipkins@ministers.govt.nz

18 August 2023

Kia ora Prime Minister Hipkins and Minister Mahuta,

Catholic activists have called on Indonesian government to probe and ensure justice after a rights group released a report detailing military atrocities that displaced thousands of villagers and led to deaths due to hunger and diseases in Christian-majority Papua region.

Jayapura, Jubi – Greenpeace Indonesia's Forest Campaigner Nico Wamafma said that during the period 2000-2020, Papua had lost natural forests of 641,400 hectares. Greenpeace's research shows that this deforestation occurred due to the increasingly massive licensing of land-based extractive industries that damage the rights of indigenous peoples.

A chilling new report by a German-based human rights watchdog has exposed indiscriminate attacks by Indonesian security forces on indigenous West Papuan villages, highlighting an urgent need for international action.

Pizaro Gozali Idrus, Jakarta – Indonesian security forces may have committed crimes against humanity during counter-insurgency operations in the restive Papua region in 2021, a Germany-based human rights group said in a report released Thursday.

Kelvin Anthony – The Pacific region's focus will shift briefly to Port Vila next week when Vanuatu hosts the heads of governments from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the leader of the FLNKS of New Caledonia for the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit.

Evarukdijati, Kenzu, Jayapura, Papua – Papua Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri, stated that the ceremony of the 78th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in Papua went safely despite an incident having occurred in Nduga on August 16.

Ceremony, Jakarta – Papuans are like the 'invisible man', referring to the title of Ralph Ellison's novel about the marginalization of African-Americans in the 20th century. Sophie Chao, an Indonesianist from the University of Sydney, Australia, also uses this term when concluding that the voices of the Papuan people are continually ignored.

At least 20 people were wounded when police used batons, water cannon and tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who joined rallies in Indonesia's West Papua region on the 61st anniversary of an agreement that made the territory part of Indonesia, news agencies report.