News on West Papua's human rights and conflict situation
- Police officers obstruct Papuan journalists covering student rally in Jayapura
- Series of arrest after Papua-wide anti racism demonstrations
- Extra-judicial killings and internal displacements during security force raid in Puncak Regency
- Outbreaks of violence in Wamena and Jayapura - first counts estimate 31 civilian fatalities, 87 persons injured
- Violence escalates in West Papua - ULMWP chair calls for urgent UN visit to West Papua
- UN experts request Indonesia to protect rights of Veronica Koman and other reporting on Papua protests
- Jayapura police alleged of neglect - Nationalist militant groups attack indigenous Papuans
- Military members alleged of killing indigenous Papuan in Wouma District, Jayawijaya Regency
- Youtube blocks West Papua satirical video on request of the Indonesian Government
- Human Rights Watch urges Indonesia to investigate deaths of Papuan protesters
- Papuan Church Leaders call for the involvement of international community
- UN High Commissioner for human rights expresses concern about the situation in West Papua
- West Papua-wide anti-racism protests accompanied by violence - eight protesters killed, 31 injured during crackdown in Waghete
- Leading ULMWP activist arrested and charged with document forgery
- Government imposes internet blockade after anti racism riots in West Papua
- Police prevents peaceful commemoration of the 'International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples"
- Commemorations of New York Agreement accompanied by arrests, violence and racism - Papuan students subjected to harassment and assaults
- New law allows prosecution of foreign researchers - academics fear restriction of academic freedom
- Constitutional court reviews law on the formation of Papua Province
- Update Armed Conflict in Nduga Regency: CSOs estimate a total number of 177 fatalities and more than 5.000 IDPs
- Joint Submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry - Media Freedom in West Papua
Police officers obstruct Papuan journalists covering student rally in Jayapura
Members of the police have obstructed three local journalists who covered a protest of Papuan students in front of the Cenderawasih University Auditorium in Jayapura on 23 September 2019. The chairman of the Independent Journalist Alliance in Jayapura, Lucky Ireeuw, stated that the intimidation and obstruction against Hengky Yeimo (Jubi), Benny Mawel (contributor for The Jakarta Post and Jubi) and Ardi Bayage (SuaraPapua.com) violates media freedom as guaranteed under Law 40/1999 on press. The case is also emblematic for the discrimination which ethnic Papuan journalists face, particularly when they cover demonstrations on sensitive issues.
Series of arrest after Papua-wide anti racism demonstrations
One month after the first anti-racism demonstrations in all cities across West Papua, the Indonesian Government has responded with mass arrests and a widespread criminalization campaign against political activists, students and human rights defenders. Statistic data suggests that Indonesian police officers conducted 208 arrests and pressed criminal charges against 91 suspects. The Police did not only prosecute activists in West Papua, but also in other parts of the archipelago. In Jakarta, police officers arrested Surya Anta Ginting, spokesperson of the Indonesian Peoples Front for West Papua (FRI WP) and five Papuan activists. The Police also charged Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman and executive board member of the National Independent Journalist Association (AJI), Dandhi Dwi Laksono, for tweeting about a racism against ethnic Papuans in Indonesia.
Extra-judicial killings and internal displacements during security force raid in Puncak Regency
A series of extra-judicial killings (EJK) has been reported from the remote highland regency of Puncak, where a security force operation is taking place since 24 August 2019. According to information received, at least five indigenous Papuans have been killed and two persons died after being displaced from their villages. At least four women were injured during a security force raid in the village of Olenki and had to be hospitalized. Initial reports from 26 August 2019 estimated that approximately 800 indigenous Papuans had been internally displaced and sought refuge in temporary shelters in Yenggernok Village. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yenggernok has reportedly risen to more than 1.500 persons.
Outbreaks of violence in Wamena and Jayapura - first counts estimate 31 civilian fatalities, 87 persons injured
The recent outbreaks of violence in relation to anti-racism protests in the Papuan cities of Jayapura and Wamena have resulted in the largest number of fatalities in single incidents since the beginning of the ‘Reformasi Period’ in 1998.The recent outbreaks of violence in relation to anti-racism protests in the Papuan cities of Jayapura and Wamena have resulted in the largest number of fatalities in single incidents since the beginning of the ‘Reformasi Period’ in 1998. According to information from the Papuan Regional Police, 28 civilians have died and 77 others were injured during the riots in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency. In Jayapura city, a security force crackdown on Papuan students resulted in the death of four protesters and one military member. At least 24 protesters were injured during the crackdown.
Violence escalates in West Papua - ULMWP chair calls for urgent UN visit to West Papua
West Papua is experiencing the worst wave of violence since decades after various protests against racial discrimination, which started in mid-August 2019, have resulted in security force crackdowns and outbreaks of horizontal violence. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has now called for an urgent UN visit to West Papua. ULMWP chairperson, Benny Wenda, said in an pressing statement on 24 September 2019 that "the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights must visit West Papua now, and the Pacific Islands Forum must help to secure this".
UN experts request Indonesia to protect rights of Veronica Koman and other reporting on Papua protests
Indonesia must protect the rights of all people to peaceful protest, ensure access to the internet and protect the rights of human rights defender Veronica Koman and all others reporting on protests in Papua and West Papua, say UN human rights experts. The UN experts said: "We call for immediate measures to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and address acts of harassment, intimidation, interference, undue restriction and threats against those reporting on the protests"
Jayapura police alleged of neglect - Nationalist militant groups attack indigenous Papuans
Human rights defenders reported a series of organised horizontal violence by nationalist militant organisations against indigenous Papuans in the cities of Jayapura and Fak-Fak. The attacks occurred after thousands of indigenous Papuans protested against acts of racial discrimination in the island of Java. Protesters in almost all cities of Papua raised morning star flags, demanding political Independence from the Indonesian state. Members of the ‘Kelompok Nusantara’ group (Nusantara Group) and the ‘Barisan Merah Putih’ (Red White Front) consisting of Non-Papuans armed with weapons attacked indigenous Papuans. The groups enjoy the support of security forces because many of its members consist of former soldiers or are related to security force members.
Military members alleged of killing indigenous Papuan in Wouma District, Jayawijaya Regency
The Foundation for Justice and Integrity of the Papuan People (YKKMP) has documented credible information regarding allegations of an extra-judicial killing by army members of the 756 Wim Anesili Wouma Battalion. According to the information received, four soldiers guarding Wimane Sili military post in Wouma District collectively tortured 23-year-old Analok Heselo on 15 August 2019. he military members approached Analok Heselo as he was sitting in front of the military post smoking a cigarette and repeatedly beat him with rubber batons. Subsequently, the military members dragged Analok Heselo inside the military post, where they poured water over him and continued the beatings.
Youtube blocks West Papua satirical video on request of the Indonesian Government
Human Rights Watch urges Indonesia to investigate deaths of Papuan protesters
Papuan Church Leaders call for the involvement of international community
UN High Commissioner for human rights expresses concern about the situation in West PapuaUN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said her office was "disturbed" by the escalating violence in Papua and West Papua in the past two weeks, especially the deaths of some protestors and security forces. " This is part of a trend we have observed since December 2018, and we have been discussing our concerns with the Indonesian authorities. There should be no place for such violence in a democratic and diverse Indonesia, and I encourage the authorities to engage in dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua on their aspirations and concerns..."
West Papua-wide anti-racism protests accompanied by violence - eight protesters killed, 31 injured during crackdown in Waghete
West Papua wide anti-racism rallies in the second half of August were accompanied by riots, chaos and violent crackdowns by security forces. The protests occurred in response to previous acts of racial discrimination and assault by security forces and nationalist mass organisations against Papuan students in the Javanese cities of Malang, Surabaya and Semarang. The protesters also expressed their aspirations for political self-determination, arguing that Papuans are treated as ‘second-class’ citizens in Indonesia. The government deployed additional security forces in various Papuan regions and has blocked the internet across in the Provinces of Papua and Papua Barat since 19 August 2019 to prevent the spreading of information through social media and hamper media coverage on the current situation in West Papua. The worst outbreak of violence was reported from the regency of Deiyai, where the forceful dispersal of demonstrations resulted in the deaths of eight protesters. Fifty protesters were injured during the crackdown.
Leading ULMWP activist arrested and charged with document forgery
Members of the Jayapura municipality police have arrested the head of the politics desk of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Bazoka Logo. The police pressed charges against Logo for alleged violation of article 266 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) on document forgery. According to Bazoka Logo’s lawyers, the arrest was not conducted in accordance with law enforcement procedures. They regard the arrest as an attempt to criminalize the ULMWP activist, who had organised a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the ‘New York Agreement’ on 15 August 2019.
Government imposes internet blockade after anti racism riots in West Papua
Police prevents peaceful commemoration of the 'International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples"
Members of the Lanny Jaya district police have prevented Papuan indigenous leaders to peacefully commemorate the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’ in the highland town of Tiom. According to the chairman of the Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua, DAP), Dominikus Sorabut, police members stopped him and 200 other DAP members on 9 August 2019. The group was forced to return to Wamena. Sorabut stated that he will report the incident to the United Nations.
Commemorations of New York Agreement accompanied by arrests, violence and racism - Papuan students subjected to harassment and assaults
On 15 August 2019, the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the Indonesian Peoples’ Front for West Papua (FRI West Papua) organized peaceful protests in multiple Indonesian cities in commemoration of the 57. Anniversary of the ‘New York Agreement’ . Simultaneously, a large-scale demonstration took place in Jayapura, Papua Province. While the peaceful demonstrations in Salatiga and Yogyakarta proceeded smoothly, security forces and members of nationalist mass organisations (ORMAS) in the Indonesian cities of Malang and Ternate dispersed the peaceful assemblies. The police responded with mass arrests which were allegedly accompanied by violent acts against the protesters.
New law allows prosecution of foreign researchers - academics fear restriction of academic freedom
Constitutional court reviews law on the formation of Papua Province
A team of 15 lawyers has filed a judicial review of Law 12/1969 regarding the formation of the ‘Autonomy Province of Irian Barat’. The law is the legal foundation for the acknowledgment of the 1996 Act of Free Choice and the subsequent integration of West Papua into the Indonesian Republic – at that time still referred to as Irian Barat. The lawyer coalition claims that multiple formulations in the law are representing a false view of Papuan history because they contradict historic facts regarding the implementation of the Act of Free Choice because it was not implemented in accordance with the ‘New York Agreement’ of August 1962.
Update Armed Conflict in Nduga Regency: CSOs estimate a total number of 177 fatalities and more than 5.000 IDPs
The solidarity team for Nduga released a report and fact sheet on 18 July 2019 in Jakarta. According to the latest information, the armed conflict in Nduga has resulted in the deaths of 177 persons, 5 cases of disappearances and 5.201 internally displaced persons between early December 2018 and end of June 2019. The team emphasized that the figures are preliminary because the geographical conditions and the ongoing armed conflict still prevent journalists and observers from covering in the Nduga Regency. Many indigenous families continue to hide in the forest, where they live under extreme difficult conditions, facing malnutrition, hypothermia and no access to healthcare.
Joint Submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry - Media Freedom in West Papua
TAPOL and Jubi made a written submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. The Commons Select Committee has opened up an inquiry into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Global Media Freedom. TAPOL and Jubi's submission highlighted the current state of media freedom particularly in West Papua. Over the last 10 years, journalists and news organisations have faced serious threats to their personal security and have also been targeted by digital disinformation campaigns that aimed to disrupt the work of legitimate news sources and news reporting.
Indonesia must protect the rights of all people to peaceful protest, ensure access to the internet and protect the rights of human rights defender Veronica Koman and all others reporting on protests in Papua and West Papua, say UN human rights experts. The UN experts said: "We call for immediate measures to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and address acts of harassment, intimidation, interference, undue restriction and threats against those reporting on the protests"Jayapura police alleged of neglect - Nationalist militant groups attack indigenous Papuans
Human rights defenders reported a series of organised horizontal violence by nationalist militant organisations against indigenous Papuans in the cities of Jayapura and Fak-Fak. The attacks occurred after thousands of indigenous Papuans protested against acts of racial discrimination in the island of Java. Protesters in almost all cities of Papua raised morning star flags, demanding political Independence from the Indonesian state. Members of the ‘Kelompok Nusantara’ group (Nusantara Group) and the ‘Barisan Merah Putih’ (Red White Front) consisting of Non-Papuans armed with weapons attacked indigenous Papuans. The groups enjoy the support of security forces because many of its members consist of former soldiers or are related to security force members.Military members alleged of killing indigenous Papuan in Wouma District, Jayawijaya Regency
The Foundation for Justice and Integrity of the Papuan People (YKKMP) has documented credible information regarding allegations of an extra-judicial killing by army members of the 756 Wim Anesili Wouma Battalion. According to the information received, four soldiers guarding Wimane Sili military post in Wouma District collectively tortured 23-year-old Analok Heselo on 15 August 2019. he military members approached Analok Heselo as he was sitting in front of the military post smoking a cigarette and repeatedly beat him with rubber batons. Subsequently, the military members dragged Analok Heselo inside the military post, where they poured water over him and continued the beatings.Youtube blocks West Papua satirical video on request of the Indonesian Government
On 28. August YouTube blocked a satirical video about West Papua from being viewed in Indonesia as a consequence of a 'legal complaint from the government'. The video titled 'Visit West Papua' satirizes the Australian government's policies on West Papua and portrays the Indonesian government as colonizers and the Australian government as standing by for its own profit.
Human Rights Watch urges Indonesia to investigate deaths of Papuan protesters
Indonesian authorities should impartially investigate the deaths of at least 10 Papuans during recent unrest in the easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua, Human Rights Watch said. Restrictions on access to Papua for foreign journalists and rights monitors and a partial internet shutdown have hindered reporting on the situation. The Indonesian government should immediately allow unfettered access to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to travel to Papua to investigate the situation.
Papuan Church Leaders call for the involvement of international community
Church Leaders from GKI, GIDI, Fellowship of Baptist Churches and KINGMI Papua have expressed their concern about the situation in Papua. They express their sympathy to the victims of violence and those with lost or damaged property during the protests between 19-29 August across Papua and West Papua. They also express their gratitude to the thousands of Papuans who have been brave to protest against racial discrimination, something that has been experienced for a long time by Papuans in all walks of life.
UN High Commissioner for human rights expresses concern about the situation in West Papua
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said her office was "disturbed" by the escalating violence in Papua and West Papua in the past two weeks, especially the deaths of some protestors and security forces. " This is part of a trend we have observed since December 2018, and we have been discussing our concerns with the Indonesian authorities. There should be no place for such violence in a democratic and diverse Indonesia, and I encourage the authorities to engage in dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua on their aspirations and concerns..."West Papua-wide anti-racism protests accompanied by violence - eight protesters killed, 31 injured during crackdown in Waghete
West Papua wide anti-racism rallies in the second half of August were accompanied by riots, chaos and violent crackdowns by security forces. The protests occurred in response to previous acts of racial discrimination and assault by security forces and nationalist mass organisations against Papuan students in the Javanese cities of Malang, Surabaya and Semarang. The protesters also expressed their aspirations for political self-determination, arguing that Papuans are treated as ‘second-class’ citizens in Indonesia. The government deployed additional security forces in various Papuan regions and has blocked the internet across in the Provinces of Papua and Papua Barat since 19 August 2019 to prevent the spreading of information through social media and hamper media coverage on the current situation in West Papua. The worst outbreak of violence was reported from the regency of Deiyai, where the forceful dispersal of demonstrations resulted in the deaths of eight protesters. Fifty protesters were injured during the crackdown.Leading ULMWP activist arrested and charged with document forgery
Members of the Jayapura municipality police have arrested the head of the politics desk of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Bazoka Logo. The police pressed charges against Logo for alleged violation of article 266 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) on document forgery. According to Bazoka Logo’s lawyers, the arrest was not conducted in accordance with law enforcement procedures. They regard the arrest as an attempt to criminalize the ULMWP activist, who had organised a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the ‘New York Agreement’ on 15 August 2019.Government imposes internet blockade after anti racism riots in West Papua
The Government has blocked the internet in the Provinces of Papua and Papua Barat since 19 August 2019 after large scale demonstrations and several riots in multiple Papuan cities. The Government justified the measure, arguing that the blockade would prevent the spreading of false information and assist law enforcement personnel to calm down ongoing tensions.
Police prevents peaceful commemoration of the 'International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples"
Members of the Lanny Jaya district police have prevented Papuan indigenous leaders to peacefully commemorate the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’ in the highland town of Tiom. According to the chairman of the Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua, DAP), Dominikus Sorabut, police members stopped him and 200 other DAP members on 9 August 2019. The group was forced to return to Wamena. Sorabut stated that he will report the incident to the United Nations.Commemorations of New York Agreement accompanied by arrests, violence and racism - Papuan students subjected to harassment and assaults
On 15 August 2019, the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the Indonesian Peoples’ Front for West Papua (FRI West Papua) organized peaceful protests in multiple Indonesian cities in commemoration of the 57. Anniversary of the ‘New York Agreement’ . Simultaneously, a large-scale demonstration took place in Jayapura, Papua Province. While the peaceful demonstrations in Salatiga and Yogyakarta proceeded smoothly, security forces and members of nationalist mass organisations (ORMAS) in the Indonesian cities of Malang and Ternate dispersed the peaceful assemblies. The police responded with mass arrests which were allegedly accompanied by violent acts against the protesters.New law allows prosecution of foreign researchers - academics fear restriction of academic freedom
The Indonesian house of representatives adopted a new science and technology bill which was heavily criticized by Indonesian researchers. They fear that the law may restrict academic freedom, impede collaboration with foreign research institutions and hamper scientific development in the country. The new bill allows the prosecution of foreigners conducting research without a valid permit. The violation of the law may result in a fine of IDR 4 billion [US$287,418]. According to the bill, the damage of invaluable objects or harming of people during research may be prosecuted with criminal charges carrying a maximum prison term of seven years and a fine, ranging from three to seven billion rupiahs.
Constitutional court reviews law on the formation of Papua Province
A team of 15 lawyers has filed a judicial review of Law 12/1969 regarding the formation of the ‘Autonomy Province of Irian Barat’. The law is the legal foundation for the acknowledgment of the 1996 Act of Free Choice and the subsequent integration of West Papua into the Indonesian Republic – at that time still referred to as Irian Barat. The lawyer coalition claims that multiple formulations in the law are representing a false view of Papuan history because they contradict historic facts regarding the implementation of the Act of Free Choice because it was not implemented in accordance with the ‘New York Agreement’ of August 1962.Update Armed Conflict in Nduga Regency: CSOs estimate a total number of 177 fatalities and more than 5.000 IDPs
The solidarity team for Nduga released a report and fact sheet on 18 July 2019 in Jakarta. According to the latest information, the armed conflict in Nduga has resulted in the deaths of 177 persons, 5 cases of disappearances and 5.201 internally displaced persons between early December 2018 and end of June 2019. The team emphasized that the figures are preliminary because the geographical conditions and the ongoing armed conflict still prevent journalists and observers from covering in the Nduga Regency. Many indigenous families continue to hide in the forest, where they live under extreme difficult conditions, facing malnutrition, hypothermia and no access to healthcare.Joint Submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry - Media Freedom in West Papua
TAPOL and Jubi made a written submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. The Commons Select Committee has opened up an inquiry into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Global Media Freedom. TAPOL and Jubi's submission highlighted the current state of media freedom particularly in West Papua. Over the last 10 years, journalists and news organisations have faced serious threats to their personal security and have also been targeted by digital disinformation campaigns that aimed to disrupt the work of legitimate news sources and news reporting.Â
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About the ICP
Human Rights and Peace for Papua is an international coalition of faith-based and civil society organisations (the Coalition) addressing the serious human rights condition in West Papua and supporting a peaceful solution to the conflict there. West Papua (Papua) refers to the western half of the New Guinea island in the Pacific and comprises the eastern most provinces of Indonesia. Indigenous Papuans are suffering from a long and ongoing history of human rights violations and security forces subject them to violence including killings, torture and arbitrary arrests. Impunity prevails. A lack of adequate access to health care and education as well as demographical and economical marginalisation and discrimination mark the living condition for Papuans. A heavy presence of Indonesian security forces, lack of access for international observers such as journalists, corruption and transmigration from other parts of Indonesia aggravate the situation. Political prisoners and the persecution of political activists shows the extent of repression with which freedom of expression and indigenous peoples’ rights are being violated. Papua’s wealth in natural resources attracts businesses and security forces resulting in exploitation through mining, logging, harmful agricultural projects, and environmental degradation. This dynamic challenges traditional indigenous culture while Papuans demand their right to self-determination. visit our website at www.humanrightspapua.org