Paul Gregoire – United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) provisional government interim president Benny Wenda has warned that since Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto took office in October, he has been proven right in having remarked, after the politician's last February election, that his coming marks the return of "the ghost of Suharto" – the brutal dictator who ruled

Indonesia, West Papua – On 24 December 2024, Mr Febrian Agapa, 20, was seriously injured after being shot at close range by the driver of a vehicle from a convoy escorted by security forces.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 20 December 2024, Mr Sulfianto Alias, director of the NGO Panah Papua, was beaten by a group of individuals in multiple locations in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province. One of the perpetrators allegedly identified himself as a police officer.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto greeted thousands of National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers stationed in Papua via video call alongside Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on New Year's Eve.

Don Wiseman – Indonesia's new president Prabowo Subianto has revealed plans to pardon as many as 44,000 convicts – about a third of the country's prison population.

It is being cast as a human rights gesture but given Prabowo's own record on human rights, critics believe it may be a tough sell.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has stated that the shooting of two civilians by para-military police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers in Dekai, Yahukimo regency, last August, was a human rights violation.

Hans Arnold Kapisa (Contributor), Jakarta – Environmental activist Sulfianto Alias, the director of the non-government organisation (NGO) Panah Papua, suffered serious injuries after being brutally beaten on the morning of Friday December 20 in Bintuni Bay regency, West Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – A shooting incident involving the Indonesian military (TNI) occurred in Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua (Papua tengah) Province, on 16 December 2024, leaving three civilians injured. The incident began around 10:00 AM following a traffic accident and subsequent confrontation.

Markus You, Jayapura – Demanding justice for the fatal shooting of Tobias Silak and the wounding of Naro Dapla in Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Papua Highlands, national actions were held in several cities on December 16. Aside from Jayapura, similar actions were held in Jakarta, the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar and other cities.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The Indonesian government is considered to not be serious about resolving the armed conflict in Papua. An approach of peaceful dialogue must continue to be encouraged as an effort to resolve the conflict in Papua, but the government has ignored this.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has recorded 113 alleged human rights violations in Papua from January to December 16, 2024. Of these, 85 were related to armed conflicts and violence.

Jayapura – Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) says that military operations in the land of Papua only sacrifice civilians and create massive internal displacement.

Maulana Ilhami Fawdi, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) noted that between January and December 2024 there were 113 human rights incidents in Papua, 85 of which had the dimensions of armed conflict and violence.

Jayapura – In view of the Christmas celebrations on December 25, the Bishop of Jayapura, Yanuarius Teofilus Matopai You, calls for an end to the measures that prevent displaced Papuans from returning home to celebrate Christmas in the Oksop district.

Jayapura – The Journalist Justice and Safety Advocacy Coalition (KAKKJ) in Papua, which consists of journalists, human rights defenders, students, the Cipayung Group and the Front, held a peaceful demonstration in front of the Papua Regional Police (Polda) Headquarters in Jayapura city, Papua, on Tuesday December 17.

Andrew Mathieson – An Indonesian minister within Prabowo Subianto's new government took little time to announce plans to resume a former transmigration program throughout the eastern regions of a sovereign Indonesia, including the largest Papua province in western New Guinea, saying it was needed to enhance unity and provide locals with welfare.

Ayu Cipta, Jakarta – Two police officers in Papua, Adjunct Inspector One (Aiptu) Hidayat Suratnoharta and Senior Brigadier Tri Yudha Argadianto, died following an attack by unidentified assailants.

Aiptu Hidayat passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, a day after the death of Bripka Tri Yudha, who succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Fika Nurul Ulya, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – Minister of Law (Menkum) Supratman Andi Agtas has revealed that it has been proposed that as many as 18 prisoners involved in cases related to Papua are to be given amnesty.

Dede Leni Mardiant, Jakarta – Gunfire engagement between a group calling themselves the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) and the Indonesian National Army (TNI) occurred again in Lanny Jaya, Papua Mountains, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Gamaliel Kaliele, Sorong – Papua Independent Indigenous Communities (MAI) General Chairperson Johanes Tsenawatme has condemned the attitude of the government which continues to ignore threats against human rights activists in the land of Papua.

Imam Hamdi, Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission representative of Papua noted that violence and injustice are still felt by the people of Papua in 2024.

Vitorio Mantalean, Ihsanuddin, Jakarta – Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) says that the thousands of troops sent to the land of Papua throughout 2024 were illegal.

Imparsial Director Ardi Manto Adiputra stressed that the status of the Papua Military Operations Area (DOM) was officially revoked after reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998.

Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Papuan People's Front (FRP) and Papuan students hope that with the momentum International Human Rights Day the Indonesian state will open its eyes to and be aware that the state is the biggest sinner in the form of human rights violations against the Papuan people.

As Interim President of the ULMWP, I welcome the release of the judgment of the Permanent People's Tribunal (PPT) on West Papua.

After testimonies from West Papuans on the ground and legal and academic experts, the PPT found Indonesia guilty on all four counts:

Governor Powes Parkop of Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby has appealed to West Papuans living in his country to carry on the self-determination struggle for future generations and to not lose hope.

Parkop, a staunch supporter of the West Papua cause, reminded Papuans at their Independence Day last Sunday of the struggles of their ancestors, reports Inside PNG.

Reiner Brabar, Sorong – International Human Rights Day will be commemorated on December 10. This year is the 76th anniversary of Human Rights Day since the Universal Human Rights Declaration was issued by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Reiner Brabar, Sorong – The All Nusantara leadership board of the Nduga High School and University Student Association (IPMNI) and the families of victims are urging the central government to resolve the human rights violations that occurred on December 7, 2000 in Abepura, Jayapura city, Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 15 November 2024, thousands of Papuans went to the streets after the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) called for peaceful Papua-wide demonstrations against the central Government's plan to relaunch the transmigration program, with West Papua being one of the target areas.

Andrew Johnson – I have a friend Julian King, who Duncan Graham reports has been subjected to a stun grenade as our Australian Federal Police burst through his door to seize his PhD research, phone and computers. Reportedly, the AFP are concerned about OPM (Organisasi Papua Merdeka _Free Papua Organisation), the indigenous independence movement in West Papua.

Ezra Toara - December 1, 2024 is a date deeply significant to all West Papuans, marking 63 years since the Morning Star Flag was first raised for independence and justice for West Papua.

This year's event in Vanuatu's capital was commemorated at Sorovango School.

Sorong – The Papua Student Alliance (AMP), the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) and the All-Surabaya Papua High School and University Students Association (IPMAPA Surabaya) have expressed their firm opposition to National Strategic Projects (PSN), the transmigration program and military mobilisation in Papua.

Anastasya Lavenia Y, Jakarta – The indigenous people of Merauke held an audience with Committee II of the South Papua Regional Government Council at the Merauke District Office, Papua, on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Yogyakarta – Demonstrators calling themselves the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) held a protest action on Jalan Kusumanegara in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Sunday December 1.

Jakarta – A clash occurred during the Free West Papua rally on Jl. Kusumanegara in Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta city on Sunday evening, after protesters attempted to raise the Morning Star (Bintang Kejora) flag. The protest, which called attention to the situation in Papua provinces, initially took place peacefully, starting in the afternoon.

Twenty five Pacific civil society organisations and solidarity movements have called on Pacific leaders of their "longstanding responsibility" to West Papua, and to urgently address the "ongoing gross human rights abuses" by Indonesia.

Eiben Heizar, Jakarta – The Alliance of Papuan Students (AMP) held a student demonstration on Jalan Kusumanegara, Jogja City, on Sunday, December 1, 2024. They conveyed several demands to the government of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Media Statement – Pacific civil society organisations (CSOs) and solidarity movements are reminding Pacific leaders of their longstanding responsibility to West Papua, and to urgently address the ongoing gross human rights abuses.

Te Aniwaniwa Paterson – On Papuan Independence Day we discuss protests against Indonesia's transmigration programme, environmental destruction, militarisation, and the struggle for self-determination.

On December 1, 1961, West Papua's national flag, known as the Morning Star, was raised for the first time as a declaration of West Papua's independence from the Netherlands.

Isaac Nellist – The Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) and supporters raised the West Papua flag at Leichhardt Town Hall on November 29, to show their solidarity with West Papuan's struggle for self-determination.

Jakarta – The Operation Cartenz Peace managed to arrest Oni Enumbi of the armed criminal group (KKB) operating in Puncak Jaya, Central Papua, on Wednesday, at about 11:15 a.m. local time in front of the Puncak Jaya Police Station.

Operation Cartenz Peace head Brig. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani confirmed that Oni was a member of the KKB that is led by Ternus Enumbi.

Mong Palatino – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who assumed office on October 20, 2024, has announced the revival of the transmigration program, which encourages citizens to populate the country's eastern region, including Papua – a province on the Easternmost side of the archipelago that has been fighting for independence from Java for decades.

Violet George – In a significant move for Indonesia's energy sector, BP and its partners have committed a $7 billion investment to a groundbreaking project in Papua. This initiative combines the development of a new gas field, Ubadari, with cutting-edge carbon capture technology.

Edna Tarigan and Firdia Lisnawati, Jayapura, Indonesia – On the southeastern coast of the city of Jayapura, Petronela Merauje walked from house to house in her floating village inviting women to join her the next morning in the surrounding mangrove forests.

Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminded that Papua's special autonomy funds (otsus) must be managed transparently. Do not let there be abuse such as bribery to project procurement that leads to corruption.

Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) said that all provinces on the island of Papua will receive special attention due to their vulnerability to conflicts during regional elections.

Scott Waide – For a decade, Benny Wenda has tirelessly campaigned to secure West Papua's place in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), advocating for a voice in the regional arena.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) celebrated its 16th anniversary yesterday (November 19, 2008-November 19, 2024). Commemorations were held in several different regions, both inside and outside the land of Papua.

Zachary Abuza – In response to a question during a televised debate in December 2023, then-Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto stated that he would send more troops to deal with an insurgency in Papua.

Duncan Graham – An alleged plot involving firearms and threatening the life of Kiwi pilot Philip Mehrtens when held hostage in Papua this year is being investigated by the AFP.

The case involves "advancing a political cause by the separation of West Papua from Indonesia... with the intention of coercing by intimidation the governments of New Zealand and Indonesia."

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee or KNPB firmly rejects the revival of the transmigration program in Papua. The KNPB is aware that Papuans will be sidelined, so transmigration must be rejected.