Indonesia – Indigenous rights advocates from across Indonesia presented alarming evidence of systematic persecution to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights during a critical meeting in the Republic of Congo in late May 2025.

Indonesia, West Papua – The Indonesian government's plan to implement a National Strategic Project (PSN) worth 24 trillion rupiah in the Papua Barat Daya Province has sparked resistance from indigenous communities. They understand the massive palm oil development as an existential threat to their ancestral lands and way of life.

A West Papuan independence movement leader has warned the Melanesian Spearhead Group after its 23rd leaders summit in Suva, Fiji, to not give in to a "neocolonial trade in betrayal and abandonment" over West Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – On Saturday morning, 31 May 2025, at approximately 11:00 am, Papuan political activist, Mr Er Giban, 18, was subjected to intimidation and ill-treatment by members of the Yahukimo District Police.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 17 May 2024, Mr Peni Pekei was arrested by the Damai Cartenz Task Force and the Dogiyai Police in Paniai Timur District, Papua Tengah Province (see photo on top, source: independent HRD).

Indonesia, West Papua – The four Papuan political activists, Mr Nikson May, 56, Mr Maksi Sangkek, 39, Mr Abraham Goram Gaman, 55, and Mr Piter Robaha, 54, have been held at Sorong City Police Headquarters since 28 April 2025 on charges of treason (makar) and violations of Indonesia's Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.

A Fiji-based advocacy group has condemned the participation of Indonesia in the Melanesian Spearhead Group which is meeting in Suva this week, saying it is a "profound disgrace" that the Indonesian Embassy continues to "operate freely" within the MSG Secretariat.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – United Nations rights officials have raised the alarm over alleged human rights abuses and environmental destruction linked to a massive plantation project in the Indonesian district of Merauke.

Indonesia, West Papua – The Papuan Foundation for Justice and Human Integrity (YKKMP) has reported further human rights abuses during a military raid in the Tanga District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 13 June 2025.

Erwin Renaldi and Hellena Souisa – With its crystal-clear waters and picturesque islands, Raja Ampat – often described as "the last paradise on Earth" – has long been a dream destination for tourists.

But this archipelago off Indonesia's east coast has emerged as the latest battleground between groups at odds over the country's nickel industry.

Jayapura – The Papuan Student Alliance or AMP, which is located at the Kamasan dormitory in Yogyakarta, Central Java, was sent four packages containing a chicken carcass, chicken droppings, garbage and provocative messages.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – Nickel miner Gag Nikel will soon resume operations in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, after the Indonesian government found its environmental management to be satisfactory. The company had been temporarily suspended due to public concerns over environmental damage.

Nabiila Azzahra, Jakarta – Three government office buildings in Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Province, were allegedly set on fire by unknown individuals in the early hours of Friday, June 20, 2025. According to the police, the three burnt buildings are the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) office, the Health Office, and the Ministry of Religion.

Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) is suspected of attacking civilians in Lambera Village, Yugumoak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua. The police claimed that three civilians died in the attack that occurred on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. local time.

Philyons K Liliefna, Sorong – In a rare and symbolic gesture, five members of a separatist group linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) laid down their arms and pledged allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia in a ceremony held Friday in Sorong, the capital of Southwest Papua province.

Andi Adam Faturahman, Papua – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) attacked Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri) personnel at Aminggaru Airport in Ilaga, Omukia District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Two international organisations are leading a call for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to elevate the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) at their upcoming summit in Honiara in September.

Indonesia, West Papua – In the early hours of 18 June 2025, the Indonesian military (TNI) launched a coordinated armed assault on the villages of Bulapa and Yoparu in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency.

Indonesia, West Papua – Human rights organisations have condemned the trial process against Mr Rife Kerebea (see photo on top, source: Suara Papua) as unfair. Mr Kerebea was arbitrarily arrested and processed for the alleged murder of 13 gold miners in Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, reported a shootout between his group and the Indonesian Military (TNI) in Kampung Kulapa, Intan Jaya, Papua, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. He claimed that five civilians were shot by military personnel during the incident.

Klas Lundstrom – Prabowo Subianto first made his name as an Indonesian military leader trying to crush East Timor's push for independence. Today he is president – and his government is fighting another colonial war in West Papua.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A soldier from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) of Kodim 1715/Yahukimo named Serka Seger Mulyana became the victim of a fatal attack carried out by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) on Monday, June 16, 2025. The military soldier was killed after being shot on the Kali Biru Bridge, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 12 June 2025, police officers reportedly opened fire while patrolling the Deiyapa Village, Kamu Timur District, Dogiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province, injuring a 17-year-old Papuan, Jebulon Pigai.

Hanin Marwah, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB OPM) Kodap VIII Intan Jaya threatened to launch a military operation if the Indonesian government continues the construction of roads from Nabire to Ilaga and from Sugapa to Ugimba.

Jakarta – When it comes to breaking the rules, Indonesian officials are smart at hiding behind smoke screens: they think they have covered up their crimes, but the people can clearly see them – like the revocation of the four corporate nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua last week.

As Parliamentarians, lawyers, and supporters of West Papua, we urge the leaders of the five Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) member groups to upgrade the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) at the upcoming MSG leaders' summit.

Jayapura – Nine United Nations Special Procedure Mechanism special rapporteurs have written a letter to the Indonesian government and the company PT Global Papua Abadi, which is involved in the Merauke National Strategic Project (PSN) in South Papua.

Victoria Gill – Stark images, captured from a drone by environmental campaigners and shared with the BBC, appear to show how nickel mining has stripped forests and polluted waters in one of the most biodiverse marine habitats on Earth.

Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered shocking details in its ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of Papua's gubernatorial operational funds between 2020 and 2022, including the suspected cash purchase of a private jet worth Rp 1.2 trillion (approximately $73 million).

Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – Mining activities in the regency of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, have garnered attention due to environmental damage. Out of five mining companies, the government has revoked the mining business permit, or IUP, for four of them. PT Gag Nikel, located on Gag Island, is the only company still holding their operating permit.

In the midst of abundant natural resources and enchanting cultural diversity, the situation in Papua is not as good and beautiful as the natural beauty it has. In recent times, news reports about Papua have grabbed quite a lot of public attention.

M. Raihan Muzzaki, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating allegations of corruption linked to nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua. KPK Chair Setyo Budiyanto said that the KPK's Deputy for Coordination and Supervision (Korsup) is conducting a thorough study into the matter.

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – A stormy saga over nickel mining in one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world appears to be far from over, even after the Indonesian government revoked the permits of most of the companies involved.

Indonesia, West Papua – The humanitarian crisis in West Papua has reached a critical stage. As of June 2025, more than 97,648 people in West Papua [1] remain internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

Jakarta – Both mining and tourism are vital for Indonesia's economic development as each brings a lot of foreign exchange to the country.

The government will continue to court investment to both of those industries, and that is fine, as long as they stay out of each other's way, because mining and tourism do not mix.

Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Anticorruption watchdog KPK suspects that part of the Rp 1.2 trillion ($75 million) embezzled from Papua provincial government funds between 2020 and 2022 was used to purchase a private jet.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – Papua Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) staff member Imanus Komba and Kolki Gwijangge, a participant at a peaceful demonstration urging that mining company PT Gag Nikel's permit be revoked, were arrested by police at the Abepura traffic circle in Jayapura city, Papua, on Thursday June 12.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesian Forum for the Environment or Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi) urges the government to revoke the mining permit of PT Gag Nikel in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. The Head of Walhi's Campaign Division, Fanny Tri Jambore, believes that allowing PT Gag to operate will endanger the marine ecosystem in the region.

Anisa Fauziah, Jakarta – Indonesia continues to face significant challenges in its national malaria elimination efforts, with most of the country's cases still concentrated in Papua, according to the Health Ministry.

M. Rizki Yusrial, Jakarta – Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai has urged the police to investigate the alleged animal terror involving the delivery of rotten pig's head and soil to Papuan students in Denpasar, Bali. The Bali City Committee of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) recounted that the incident took place on June 6, 2025.

Caleb Fotheringham – Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue.

One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua.

Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia recently announced the revocation of Mining Business Licenses (IUP) for four of the five companies operating in Raja Ampat.

Jayapura – The government plans to build new security posts in a number of conflict areas in Papua. But the policy is considered not to be the right solution.

One of the political figures in the land of Papua, Laurenzus Kadepa, says that what must be done is to re-evaluate security policies in the land of Papua. Not instead planning to establish new security posts.

Reiner Brabar, Jayapura – Terror and intimidation against Papuan students continue to occur every year, as do acts of racism. These acts of terror are the way the authorities curb democratic space and human rights for Papuan students.

Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Head of Global Greenpeace for Indonesian Forest Campaign, Kiki Taufik, said that the withdrawal of four nickel mining business permits (IUP) is a crucial step for the full protection of the environment in Raja Ampat.

The revocation of the four IUPs protects the community and the environment from the nickel industry.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia declined to comment on alleged legal violations concerning the granting of mining permits in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.

Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The government has revoked four nickel mining business licenses (IUP) in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua. The announcement was delivered by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi during a virtual press conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has revoked the business licences of four nickel mining companies operating on the small islands within Raja Ampat, a Unesco site, for breaches related to a permit regulating forest use – the latest response to the discovery of illegal works in the country.

Protests from environmental activists and church leaders have compelled the Indonesian government to halt nickel mining at an ecologically sensitive tropical marine hotspot in the Papua region.

Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The Indonesian government announced on Tuesday the revocation of mining business permits (IUP) for four companies operating in the environmentally sensitive region of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.