Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force rebutted the statement that the joint Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri) team dropped bombs in Nduga as conveyed by a New Zealand pilot Philips Max Mehrtens held hostage by the Papuan separatist group in a video released on April 24.

New Zealand hostage Phillip Mehrtens, who is being held by separatists in West Papua, appears well in a newly-released video.

It comes as concerns were expressed for the pilot as fighting between Indonesian security forces and his captors, the West Papua Liberation Army, intensified last week.

Niniek Karmini, Jakarta – Separatist rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region released a video Wednesday appearing to show the New Zealand pilot they took hostage in February saying that recent Indonesian military attacks threatened his safety.

The United Kingdom's commitments to upholding human rights came under question on Monday over the West Papua issue, resulting in a heated exchange between a government representative and five members of the House of Lords in the Upper Chamber of the British Parliament.

Indonesian security forces have intensified operations in various conflict areas in West Papua, reports Human Rights Monitor.

According to information received by the international watchdog, security force members have raided villages and set residential houses on fire.

Papuans are growing increasingly anxious about their security after the Indonesian military warned of a special operation following the killing of four soldiers involved in a mission to rescue a foreign pilot abducted by rebels.

Alfian Kartono and Niniek Karmini, Jayapura – Indonesian security forces recovered the bodies of four government soldiers who were killed in a separatist attack while searching for a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by the rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua region, officials said Thursday.

Achmad Nasrudin Yahya, Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform is urging the TNI (Indonesian military) to cancel a decision to raise the operational status in conflict-prone Papua to combat ready (siaga tempur).

On Saturday the 15 April there was a clash between the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB) and the Indonesian security forces (TNI) in the Nduga District. The Security forces were searching for New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who has been held by the TPNPB since the 7 February.

M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – The Civil Coalition for Security Reform urged President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to cease the military combat operation being implemented by the Indonesian Military Commander Admiral Yudo Margono.

The long-running conflict in West Papua has slipped from the headlines in recent times as other regional issues took precedence in many newsrooms. But this week it's back on the news agenda – so what's going on there?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 – 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 – 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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 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"