Jayapura, Jubi – The 2026 Papua Film Festival is seeking to build collective awareness among Papuans through documentary filmmaking. Organised by Papuan Voices, the festival opened on Friday (7 August 2026) at Liborang Dormitory in Padang Bulan, Jayapura City, Papua Province, and will run until Sunday (9 August 2026).

Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesia's Deputy Home Affairs Minister, Ribka Haluk, says the suspected food poisoning incident involving children and adults who consumed meals under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, should serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive review of how the program is implemented.

Wamena, Jubi – A prolonged drought that has affected Kuyawage District in Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua Highlands Province, since June 2026 is continuing, leaving residents facing a growing food shortage after crops failed across the region.

Sorong, Jubi – Indigenous youth from the Domberay customary region have launched a cultural camp aimed at strengthening, preserving and revitalising Papuan cultural identity, which organisers say is gradually fading among younger generations.

Andrew Mathieson – West Papuan independence separatists killed three Indigenous Papuans depicted in an execution-style video that has gone viral on social media across the occupied territory as a warning to "traitors" to their cause.

Jayapura, Jubi – The number of children suspected of suffering food poisoning after consuming meals provided under Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, rose sharply on Tuesday (4 August 2026), with health authorities reporting that the total had reached more than 100 people by Tuesday night.

Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesian security forces have launched a joint operation to pursue fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) following the killing of five road construction workers in Papua Highlands Province on Sunday (2 August 2026).

Jayapura – The size of the indigenous population in the land of Papua is steadily declining. There are many reasons for this drop in the population. Aside from the marginalisation of indigenous communities, another factor is the high mortality rate resulting from climate and environmental changes caused by land clearing by companies.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says it will stage another round of coordinated demonstrations on 15 August 2026 to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement, with protest planned across all 36 of the organisation's regional commands throughout the Land of Papua.

Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Dionisius VDP Helan has apologised over the alleged intimidation of a Jubi journalist by one of his officers during the policing of a West Papua National Committee (KNPB) demonstration in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, on Monday, 3 August 2026.

Laura Oliver, Jakarta – Raja Ampat, one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions, remains under pressure from Indonesia's expanding nickel industry as three companies continue to seek permission to develop nickel projects in the archipelago, according to a new Greenpeace report.

Sentani, Jubi – Agus Kossay, chairperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), says opposition to the group's planned public demonstrations is not new, arguing that nearly every KNPB mobilisation since the organisation's establishment has been met with resistance and counter-narratives from various groups.

Jayapura – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) reiterated its demand for self-determination for the Papuan people during a peaceful demonstration at the State Housing Company (Perumnas) 3 in Waena, Heram district, Jayapura city, on Monday August.

Rabin Marselino Yarangga, Jayapura – Indonesian security forces are pursuing members of an armed separatist group following an attack that killed four road construction workers in Tolikara Regency, Highland Papua, military officials said on Monday.

On 26 July 2026, Indonesian military personnel reportedly entered the compound of the St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish Church in Titigi Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, while parishioners were attending Sunday Mass. The unexpected presence of armed personnel caused fear and panic among the congregation.

On 28 July 2026, Indonesian Naval Military Police personnel shot and injured Mr Timotius Rumpaidus at his residence in Klalin 6, Warmon Village, Aimas District, Sorong Regency, Southeast Papua Province. Mr Rumpaidus is a civilian and former member of the Indonesian Navy.

Jayapura, Jubi – Dozens of residents in the Korowai area of Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province, have reportedly fled into the forest since 22 July 2026. The displaced residents are believed to be sheltering in the border region between Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, and Boven Digoel Regency in South Papua Province.

Jayapura, Jubi – Beginning in 1947, Dutch colonial authorities intensified efforts to suppress support for the Indonesian republican movement among civil servants, including both Indigenous Papuans and migrants from other parts of the archipelago.

Between 24 and 30 July 2026, joint Indonesian military and police operations reportedly killed three civilians in the Korowai region, causing hundreds of indigenous Papuans, including children, pregnant women and elderly people, to flee their homes and seek shelter in the surrounding forest (see photo on top, source: independent HRD).

Kaya Selby – A new Human Rights Watch (HWR) report says that the Indonesian government is silencing environmental activists in Papua region, known internationally as West Papua.

A security force operation in the KM 4 Logpon area of Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province on 17 July 2026, reportedly resulted in the death of two members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and one civilian named Mr Yafoluk Heluka (see photo om top, source: independent HRD).

Indonesia, West Papua – This 11-page report lists cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns; developments in the armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua; and international responses and initiatives.

Human rights

Jayapura, Jubi – The Wio Students' Association (IMPW) in Jayapura has issued a statement calling for comprehensive measures to address recurring inter-community conflict in Jayawijaya Regency, the capital of Papua Highlands Province, following repeated outbreaks of violence between 2024 and 2026.

Jayapura – The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat formally presented the call by Pacific and MSG leaders for a UN human rights mission to West Papua and the Indonesian provinces of Papua during the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva on July 25.

Sentani, Jubi – Students from Cenderawasih University's (Uncen) community service programme (KKN) have donated three plastic bottle drop boxes to Asei Besar Village in East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, in an effort to encourage waste separation at the source and create economic opportunities through recycling.

Antara, Yahukimo, Papua – Indonesian troops have recovered the bodies of two civilians allegedly killed by separatist fighters in the eastern Papua Highlands province after an evacuation operation that briefly erupted into a firefight, the military said on Friday.

Wamena, Jubi – The visit of YouTuber and content creator Bobon Santoso alongside the commander of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Regional Command (Kodam), Major General Febriel Buyung Sikumbang, to Papua Highlands has been criticised by a pro-independence group as an attempt to divert attention from humanitarian issues in the region.

Sentani, Jubi – Residents of Nduga Regency in Papua Highlands say the local government has effectively ceased functioning in recent months, warning they will block all transport access to the regency if the situation is not addressed.

Jayapura, Jubi – Provincial legislatures across Papua should initiate a Special Regional Regulation (Perdasus) granting Indigenous Papuans (Orang Asli Papua/OAP) veto rights over large-scale investment projects, according to academics and legal advocates who say stronger legal protections are needed to safeguard customary land rights.

Following the killing of US pilot Nicholas Gosselin by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), more evidence has emerged that Indonesia is systematically and consistently using civilian aircraft and humanitarian organisations for military purposes in West Papua.

West Papuan militants have claimed responsibility for the deaths of three indigenous Papuans, who they claim were supplying intelligence to Indonesia.

In a statement, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said the three were executed in Yahukimo as traitors to Papua's independence movement.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI Papua) has pledged to support a lawsuit filed by the Malind Indigenous community from Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, arguing the legal challenge is crucial to protecting their ancestral forests and customary lands.

Jayapura, Jubi – For the Indigenous Marind people of South Papua, ipni is more than just a fish. Their name for barramundi – known locally as swamp barramundi or kakap rawa – has long been associated with the region's rivers, wetlands, and mangrove forests, and remains one of the most sought-after fish in Merauke.

On 16 July 2026, personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) arbitrarily arrested four indigenous civilians during a military operation in the area of Jalai Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. The victims were identified as Mr Yonas Nambagani, Mr Simon Kopeau, Mr Yoseph Pogau and Mr Agustinus Nabelau.

Jayapura, Jubi – A spatial analysis by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) National Executive, together with WALHI Papua, shows that fire hotspots in South Papua Province are not occurring randomly. The majority are located in Food Estate areas and in concessions belonging to National Strategic Project (PSN) companies.

Jayapura, Jubi – The United Papuan Women's Forum says the Indonesian government is failing to protect women and children in Papua, citing a surge in violence and marginalization over the past six months.

The forum called on the government to guarantee the right to life and security for Papuan women and children, while also urging an end to the militarization of Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian Christian Forum (FUKRI) has issued a statement expressing concern over the armed conflict in Papua, saying the prolonged violence has evolved into a structural humanitarian crisis and urging the government to prioritize dialogue over military measures.

Darin Apriliani, Jakarta – Indonesia's Christian organization, Forum Umat Kristiani Indonesia (FUKRI), raises questions about the legacy of President Prabowo Subianto's policies for Papua, amid deep concerns over the ongoing conflict in the Land of the Cenderawasih.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has established a new command and control centre for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to support military operations in Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – Two Indigenous witnesses told the Jayapura Administrative Court (PTUN) on Wednesday that construction of a 135-kilometre road through their customary land in Merauke, South Papua, began without consultation or the consent of traditional landowners.

Indonesia, West Papua – A new Project Multatuli investigation, based on cross-verified troop mobilization data and internal TNI documents, finds that Indonesia currently deploys 74,297 soldiers in West Papua, including 17,780 non-organic troops rotated in from bases across Indonesia at an estimated annual cost of IDR 2.34 trillion (about Euro 113 million), spread across 31 of West

Ahmad Syarif – On 2 July, the West Papua Liberation Army in the eastern province of Indonesia attacked a plane owned by PT AMA, an air service run by the Papua Catholic Church. Seven passengers survived. The pilot, US citizen Nicholas F.

Merauke – Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said the government's National Strategic Project (PSN) to develop a food, energy and water production hub in Merauke, South Papua, is making rapid progress.

On 29 June 2026, security forces reportedly shot dead Rev Elianus Agimbau, 20, a pastor of the Indonesian Tabernacle Church (GKII), whilst travelling through the Mbamogo Village area, located on the border between the Sugapa and the Agasiga districts. According to multiple sources, Mr Agimbau was unarmed and was travelling to Sugapa. His body was recovered one day later.

Victor Mambor, Jayapura – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has emphasized that the protection of civilians, accountable law enforcement, and accelerated handling of internally displaced persons must be the government's priorities in responding to the human rights situation as part of resolving the conflict in the Land of Papua.

We condemn the killing of Nicholas F. Goselin, a US national, in West Papua on 2nd July. The TPNPB have admitted responsibility for killing Goselin. A TPNPB spokesperson said that there was a no-fly zone for Indonesian airlines which the aircraft had violated in Yahukimo Regency of Highland Papua.

Two separate land disputes involving PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera (PT IKS) escalated in June 2026 as former transmigration residents in Klasof Village, Moisegen District, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province, and members of the Moi indigenous Aresi clan sought legal remedies over alleged unlawful occupation and use of their land for oil palm plantations.

Jayapura – Indonesian Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.

On 29 June 2026, two Papuan students were reportedly injured during a peaceful demonstration organised by the Forum for Student Solidarity in Support of the Papuan People (FSMP-PRP) in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, after they were allegedly attacked by members of a right-wing nationalist group named Indonesian Muslim Brigade (BMI).

Andrew Mathieson – A humanitarian air service has been accused of transporting Indonesian military personnel and ammunition for an armed operation in the West Papua territory.