Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Arriving in Papua on Wednesday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo quickly centered his attention on economic and infrastructure development as part of his long-standing approach to the country's easternmost region, which is beset by various political and security challenges.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura High Court has found Viktor Yeimo guilty of treason, according to their recent appeal decision. Yeimo, the International Spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee, is sentenced to one year of imprisonment.

Ima Dini Shafira, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo officially opened Papua Street Carnival in Jayapura today, July 7, 2023. The event is orchestrated by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry in tandem with the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH).

Eka Yudha Saputra, M Zulnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesperson Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono stated that his side is offering figures who would become a mediator for negotiations with the Free Papua Organization (OPM) in the release of New Zealand pilot Philips Max Mehrtens.

Bill Birtles and Hellena Souisa – Philip Mark Mehrtens – a pilot for a charter plane company – was ambushed by rebels after he flew to a remote airstrip to drop off some passengers and pick up a group of construction workers.

An Australian human rights author and poet has accused successive federal governments of "deliberately aiding and abetting" the 1969 annexation of West Papua by Indonesia and enabling the "stifling" of the Melanesian people's right to self-determination.

Jakarta – In an effort to release New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens, taken hostage by Papuan separatists, the interim Nduga regent Edison Gwijangge will hold negotiations with the rebels, according to the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Adm Yudo Margono.

Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claims to have shot several Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in Intan Jaya. According to TPNPB leader Ndulamo Aibon Kogoya, the incident took place at Titigi Post, Titigi Village, Sugapa District on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Wamena, Jubi – The Jayawijaya branch of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) is facing a challenge as they have only 150 midwives available to serve the population of 328 villages and 40 districts in Jayawijaya.

Today, the 6 July marks 25 years since the Indonesian security forces massacred scores of people in Biak, West Papua. The victims, included women and children who had gathered for a peaceful rally. They were killed at the base of a water tower flying the Morning Star flag. Other Papuans were rounded up and later taken out to sea where they were thrown off naval ships and drowned.

Indonesia's President Widodo's visit to Australia has ignited a pressing demand for an open and honest conversation about the ongoing West Papua crisis. With the 25-year anniversary of the Biak Massacre on 6th July, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for truth and accountability.

Jakarta – The July 1 deadline set up by the Papuan rebels who hold Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens has passed and the military operation deployed by the Indonesian Military (TNI) has thus far not born fruit.

Yamin Kogoya – An Indonesian court hearing was held at Tipikor Court, Jakarta, last week when suspended Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe was arraigned before a panel of judges on allegations of bribery and gratification over the Papua provincial infrastructure project.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – As the standoff between the government and Papuan separatists over the release of New Zealand pilot Philip Merhtens continues, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged officials to quickly appoint a negotiator to move the process forward.

Nabire, Jubi – The body of Yalingga Jikwa, one of the victims of the conflict between residents in Topo, was found in Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province, on June 29, 2023. Yalingga Jikwa's body was mourned in Sanoba Village, Nabire, on June 30 and Yalingga's family said that they were ready to undergo a peace rite to end the conflict in Topo.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is attending the 8th Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders Meeting in Sydney before flying on to PNG for a 2 day visit on Wednesday.

Fransiskus Salu, Tegar Nurfitra, Manokwari, West Papua – The Regional Police of West Papua will station special troops across all regions of West Papua Province and Southwest Papua Province in a bid to facilitate smooth implementation of the 2024 elections.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D. Fakhiri believes Egianus Kogoya, the leader of the The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), will release Philips Mark Mehrtens, the Susi Air pilot who has been held hostage by the group since February 2023.

Harlyne Joku, Port Moresby – Authorities in Papua New Guinea have clamped down on displays of the West Papuan independence flag ahead of the Indonesian president's visit to the Pacific island country this week.

Wilson Saeni, Auki – The West Papua International spokesperson for the Free West Papua Campaign has visited the Malaita Provincial capital, Auki, for the first time. Raki Ap, who is based in the Netherlands, arrived in the country on Monday last week.

In anticipation of the upcoming Melanesian Spearhead Group Leader's Summit in Vanuatu this month, there is a growing call for West Papua to be granted full membership in the organisation.

Yamin Kogoya – The name Vanuatu has taken on a sacred significance in Papuan liberation consciousness.

The Free Papua Movement (OPM) elders ignited this consciousness after the declaration of West Papua's independence on 1 July 1971.

The declaration was an act of revolution to reclaim Papuan sovereignty, stolen by Indonesia.

Jakarta – West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) or KKB (armed criminal group) spokesperson Sebby Sambom claims that they have not asked for a ransom to be paid for the release Susi Air pilot Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage since February.

M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – The Papua Police on Friday announced that the armed separatist group under Egianus Kagoya's leadership had asked for an Rp5 billion ransom for the release of New Zealand Pilot captain Philips Max Mehrtens who had been taken hostage for the past couple of months.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – Rescuers have recovered the remains of six people from the site of a SAM Air plane crash in Yalimo regency, Papua Highlands, as authorities focus their efforts on identifying the victims.

Sugapa, Jubi – The Bishop of Jayapura, Msgr. Yanuarius Theofilus Maatopai You, believes that the conflict in Intan Jaya Regency can be resolved through negotiations.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says Indonesia is once again ramping up military operations in its Papuan provinces.

The movement's interim-president Benny Wenda said 19 members of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) were taken into custody on June 9 and have been charged with treason.

Yamin Kogoya – Last Monday, suspended Papua Governor Lukas Enembe was indicted on gratification, bribery and corruption charges in Indonesia's central Corruption Criminal Court in Jakarta.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Legislative Council believes that stakeholders should work together to address the issue of freedom of expression in Papua. Deputy Chairman III of the Council, Yulianus Rumbairusy, said that various parties have observed a suppression of democratic rights in the easternmost province of Indonesia.

BeritaSatu, Jayapura. A small plane with six people onboard crashed in Yalimo Regency in the eastern province of Papua on Friday and it's feared there is no survivor.

Joint talks between Vanuatu and Indonesia have taken place in Jakarta with West Papua high on the agenda.

It comes amidst tensions in the region, and ahead of a state visit next month to Papua New Guinea by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The pro-independence United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has welcomed Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Jotham Napat's comments on West Papua during this week's diplomatic visit to Indonesia.

In a joint press conference with Indonesian Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin, Napat restated his commitment to the "Melanesian way".

Jayapura, Jubi – The presence of Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police in conflict-ridden areas of Papua has allegedly caused trauma among internally displaced Indigenous Papuans.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri announced that his office is willing to provide a platform for negotiations with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya, in order to secure the release of Susi Air pilot Philips Mark Mehrtens. Fakhiri made this statement in Jayapura City, Papua, on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Jayapura, Jubi – Workers from PT Tandan Sawita Papua in Keerom Regency, East Arso District, have filed complaints with the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) after being laid off. The workers allege that they were fired without any prior warning or adequate compensation.

Merauke, Jubi – Komarudin Watubun, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission II, expressed that the recruitment of Indigenous Papuans for government positions in the new provinces within Papua has not adhered to the requirements and provisions stated in the Papua Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law.

Yamin Kogoya – Next month, on July 10, six months will have passed since Papua's Governor Lukas Enembe was "kidnapped" and flown to Jakarta for charges over alleged one million rupiah (NZ$100,000) graft.

Jayapura, Jubi – According to the leader of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, the area where pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) was extremely remote. This posed the biggest challenge for the search team tasked with rescuing the Susi Air pilot.

Nabire, Jubi – Mis Murib, representing the Talenta Keadilan Papua Legal Aid Agency (LBH TKP), said his party had reported to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) about the shooting and mutilation of Tarina Murib, a resident of Yugumoak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, as well as the shooting of nine other civilians from Yugumoak, allegedly carried ou

Manokwari, Jubi – In a solemn gathering held at the Secretariat of the Papua Customary Council in Wondiboy District, 20 individuals including 15 survivors and their families commemorated the Bloody Wasior Tragedy. It was to honor those whose lives were lost 22 years ago due to the alleged sweeping, arrest, torture, and killing by state apparatus.

Jayapura, Jubi – The deployment of military troops to Papua has prompted calls for evaluation. The presence of numerous troops has intensified the armed conflict in the region and heightened tensions.

Anum Latifah Siregar, the director of the Democracy Alliance for Papua, stressed the importance of assessing the deployment procedures for these troops.

Manokwari, Jubi – The alleged human rights violations in the 2001 Bloody Wasior in Papua's Wondiboy District, Wondama Bay Regency, remain unresolved.

President Joko Widodo, who was anticipated to address the Bloody Wasior case, did not bring about any resolution.

Nabire, Jubi – Meepago Regional Customary Council (DAW) has declared that the recent conflict occuring in Uwapa District's Topo, Nabire Regency, as not being a tribal war. Marko Okto Pekei, the Council's chairman, made this statement based on his observation and assessment, which revealed the absence of typical characteristics associated with tribal warfare.

Finau Fonua – The West Papuan Council of Churches says Kiwi hostage Phillip Mehrtens' life is in danger if negotiations do not take place with the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB).

The Council is calling on Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to cease military operations in West Papua and seek dialogue with TPNPB.

Nabire, Jubi – Otto Gobay, the spokesperson for the Puncak and Puncak Jaya Association (Anlabepuja) expressed his desire for a swift resolution to the recent conflict between residents in Uwapa District's Topo, Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province. Gobay urged the local government to address and clarify the boundaries of the region to prevent future conflicts among residents.

Juhra Nasir, Tambrauw – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has spoke out about the declaration and inauguration of its management board in Tambrauw district, Southwest Papua province, which was broken up by police on Friday for alleged treason.

The group has also denied accusations that they planned to spread separatist ideas.

Juhra Nasir, Tambrauw – Police have arrested 19 West Papua National Committee (KNPB) activists in Tambrauw regency, Southwest Papua province on Friday after they announced or proclaimed Papuan independence.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Reuters, Jakarta – The Carstenz Peace Operation Task Force revealed that the Papuan armed group or KKB, Free Papua Organization (OPM), obtained money to purchase weapons through the government's village funds.

Damien Kingsbury – New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has now been held hostage in West Papua for four months. Stalled attempts to negotiate his release, and an unsuccessful Indonesian military rescue attempt, suggest a confused picture behind the scenes.

Jayapura, Jubi – The trial of three students accused of treason continued at the Jayapura District Court on Thursday, June 8, 2023.