West Papuan university students who have been attacked by non-Papuan civilian groups during unrest in the region say they simply seek self-determination.

A surge of anti-racism protests and pro-independence demonstrations by West Papuans has rocked Indonesia for the past two weeks, triggering unrest.

Jakarta – Indonesian police on Wednesday named a prominent human rights lawyer and activist a suspect in connection with Twitter posts about an incident that triggered unrest in Papua, drawing condemnation action from rights groups of the police action.

Liam Fox on Pacific Beat – The Pacific Council of Churches is urging the region's leaders to push for a peacekeeping mission to be sent to the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua.

The Papuan provinces have been wracked by civil unrest for more than a fortnight with reports several people have been killed in the crackdown by Indonesian security forces.

Pacific Media Watch – The New Caledonian-based Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front or FLNKS has condemned the ongoing human rights violations in West Papua and has called for the Papuan right to self-determination to be recognised.

Pacific Media Watch – Fijian police have reportedly cautioned the Pacific Conference of Churches Secretariat from flying the Morning Star – the West Papuan flag of Independence – on private property in Suva.

Maire Leadbeater – The uprising that is engulfing Indonesian ruled West Papua has lifted the lid on a deep strand of indigenous anger and resentment. While it is unprecedented in scale, it also has ominous echoes of the deadly clashes that took place in pre-liberation Timor Leste in 1999.

Jakarta – Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Wiranto vehemently denied the incorrect claim of the Indonesian government seeking foreign assistance to ease tensions in the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Wiranto affirmed that few violent protests erupting in the provinces from the racial abuse of Papuan students remained a national issue.

Egi Adyatama, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto, asserted that the raising of Bintang Kejora or the morning star flag in Indonesia is forbidden.

Virginia Langeberg and Maani Truu – The exiled West Papuan independence leader has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to condemn Indonesia's recent crackdown on pro-independence protesters or risk the situation becoming the "next East Timor".

Papua New Guinea has reiterated a call for UN representatives to visit West Papua amid widespread protests.

Indonesia has banned violent protests and separatist speeches in the two Papuan provinces, where at least 10 people have been killed and dozens arrested.

PNG's Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe told parliament today the latest unrest in Papua was a "sad situation".

Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission I chairman Abdul Kharis supports the government's decision to limit foreign arrivals to Papua and West Papua. The policy came out after four Australians allegedly took part in the demonstrations demanding independence for Papua.

Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale today condemned the recent deaths of at least six West Papuans who were killed by the Indonesian military while peacefully protesting, and another who was murdered by militia in his student dormitory.

Virginia Langeberg – A 23-year-old West Papuan has given a harrowing account of the moment he and his friends were dragged in front of armed Indonesian soldiers who stood ready to gun them down.

Jennifer Robinson – Protests have been taking place across Indonesia on an unprecedented scale. Thousands of West Papuans have taken to the streets to demand a referendum on independence from Indonesia.

Rosita Dewi – In August, riots which started in East Java, Indonesia, in response to the involvement of soldiers and security officers persecuting Papuan students, spread to the provinces of Papua and West Papua. The students had been demonstrating to express their disappointment and dissatisfaction toward Indonesian government policies in Papua.

Andita Rahma, Jakarta – A politician from Perindo Party of Sorong Sayang Mandabayan is undergoing police question in Manokwari Resort Police Headquarters, Papua, over the possession of 1,500 flags of Bintang Kejora or morning star, the symbol of the Free Papua Movement.

M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Jakarta Metro Police have released two Papuan college students who were arrested on August 30 and 31 in Depok and Jakarta for allegedly committing treason as they lacked evidence.

Jakarta (Antara) – The government has named two suspects and suspended five military personnel for the racist speech against Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang, East Java, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto stated.

"We have named two suspects Tri Susanti and Saiful. Both were charged with multiple cases," Wiranto said Monday.

Indonesia is imposing restrictions on foreigners visiting its restive Papua region, the government said Tuesday, after four Australians were deported over claims they took part in independence protests.

Dewi Nurita and Yusuf Manurung, Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fahri Hamzah urged the government to not make intelligence activities or foreign party involvement as a scapegoat for the riot in Papua.

Jakarta (Antara) – Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto has decided to set up his office in Papua for an indefinite period. "It depends on the developing situation in Papua," the TNI Commander said in Jakarta Monday.

Setting up his office in Papua will facilitate the TNI Commander to take quick decisions.

Joshua Mcdonald – At least six protesters and one soldier have been killed during clashes in Indonesia's Papua and West Papua province since unrest began over a two weeks ago.

The Indonesian government dismissed the report of protesters being killed as "a provocation," but said one soldier had been killed and three police officers injured.

Since the siege on the Papuan student dormitory in Surabaya, a wave of demonstrations by the Papuan people has taken place. Massive protest actions have taken place in at least 14 districts in Papua and West Papua provinces.

Valda Kustarini, Astri Septiani and Adi Ahdiat, Jakarta – The Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) and the Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (ELSAM) have criticised the arrest of six Papuan students on charges of makar (treason, subversion, rebellion).

Johnny Blades – Indonesian civilian militia groups are stoking tensions in West Papuan towns and cities after widespread protests across the region in the past two weeks.

The protests were sparked by racist harassment of West Papuan students in Javanese cities but have developed into the largest Papuan independence demonstrations for decades.

Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, slammed the approaches taken by the country's elites to Papua, including President Joko Widodo or Jokowi.

Benny said the President did not solve the major problem in the province despite his frequent visits and the people's sympathy.

Ika Karlina Idris, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has blocked internet access as they deployed security forces to its easternmost provinces following days of violent protests there. Papuans took to the streets following arrests and racist treatments of Papuan students over the weekend in East Java.

Jakarta (DPA) – One university student was killed and several others injured in the latest violence to hit Indonesia's Papua province, where unrest has grown over the alleged racist treatment of native Papuans.

Jakarta – Indonesian police have banned violent demonstrations and speeches promoting separatism in the easternmost region of Papua, which had been rocked by protests for two weeks, its security chief and the state news agency said on Monday.

Jakarta – The parties taking advantage of the riots in Papua and West Papua are starting to be revealed. The Indonesian police (Polri) suspect that these groups have links with international networks.

Karina M. Tehusijarana, Jakarta – Immigration officials are deporting four Australian citizens on Monday for allegedly participating in pro-independence protests in Sorong, West Papua.

Immigration Directorate General spokesperson Ujo Sujoto alleged in a statement on Monday that the four Australians took part in a rally in front of the Sorong mayor's office on Aug. 27.

Andita Rahma, Jakarta – National Police are currently investigating reports of foreigners support for the Free Papua Movement (OPM). Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has earlier exposed the involvement of foreign people in the string of riots in Papua and West Papua.

Budiarti Utami Putri, Jakarta – Former minister of research and technology, Muhammad A.S. Hikam, said the fourth Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur has his own opinion regarding Bintang Kejora or Morning Star flag in Papua.

M Yusuf, Ade Ridwan and Halida Bunga, Jakarta – Jakarta Metro Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono refuted sayings that police officers committed violence while arresting several Papuan students in their dormitory in Pondok Cina, Depok.

Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – Benny Wenda, chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, said he issued a circular containing instructions that Papuans should not take part in the August 17 Independence Day ceremony.

Friski Riana, Jakarta – Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that the United States of America supported the sovereignty of Indonesia over Papua. He said the encouragement was voiced by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Friski Riana, Jakarta – Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko identified Benny Wenda as a person he recalled had committed foreign intervention that eventually caused the unrest in Papua and West Papua.

"Isn't it clear, that Benny Wenda [is behind it]," said Moeldoko in Jakarta today.

Ben Doherty and agencies – Three West Papuan students have reportedly been shot in their dormitories by militia groups amid growing tensions in the region, as disturbing footage emerged of Indonesian soldiers firing on peaceful demonstrators during clashes last week in which protesters say six died.

Guardian staff and agencies – Four Australians who allegedly took part in a pro-independence demonstration in West Papua are being deported, Indonesian immigration authorities have said.

The four Australians will be deported via Bali after they were detained during a protest in Sorong, West Papua's largest city, on Tuesday.

Syailendra Persada, Jakarta – Papua Governor Lukas Enembe demanded the National Police (Polri) or the National Armed Forces (TNI) to adopt persuasive approach in dealing with protesters.

"Security enforcers, be it TNI or Polri, should avert violence as much as possible and not arrest Papuans holding a protest," said Lukas through a written statement, Sunday, September 1.

Andita Rahma, Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto, has seconded the statement of Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, who alleged that Papuan separatist leader Benny Wenda was the mastermind behind the riots in Papua and West Papua.

Andita Rahma, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially announced that it will curb the access of foreign nationals to Papua and West Papua following the recent findings suggesting foreign intervention in the massive demonstrations across the regions in the past several days.

The Australia West Papua Association has written to the Australian Foreign Minister concerning the situation in West Papua, urging her to call on Jakarta to withdraw the extra security forces it sent to West Papua as a way of easing tension and potentially saving lives.

The Vanuatu Civil Society, led by the Vanuatu Association of Non-Government Organization (VANGO) has called on the Government to urgently meet with the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders to ensure that the mission proposed at the recent Pacific Islands Forum proceeds and a report is provided immediately.

Endy M. Bayuni, Jakarta – The government is going the wrong way in managing the information flow from Papua, which has seen massive protests in several towns these last two weeks. In times of conflict, suppressing information can be counterproductive and even undermine its credibility.

Eva Safitri, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Wiranto has spoken out about the alleged involvement of Papuan separatist figure Benny Wenda accusing him of being part of a conspiracy which triggered the recent rights in Papua.

Zae Baneza, Ulfia Dwi and Adi Ahdiat, Jakarta – On Sunday September 1 the police arrested a number of Papuan students in Jakarta on charges of treason (makar).

Not long after this, the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) issued a press release stating that the police were conducting sweeps.

Ni Komang Erviani, Nusa Dua – Following unrest in Papua, the government is faced with an expensive repair bill in the easternmost province. Around Rp 70 billion (US$4.9 million) will be allocated to fix at least seven government office buildings.

Jakarta – Police have named 51 people, mostly protesters, as suspects after a series of protests and riots in Papua, West Papua and Jakarta in the last two weeks.

National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo confirmed that 30 people had been named suspects in last Thursday's riot in Jayapura, Papua.

Antara & Telly Nathalia, Jakarta – Police said they have been investigating possible foreign involvement in violent pro-independence protests in Papua and West Papua since Aug. 19.