On 30 September 2026, Indonesian police intervened in a student protest at the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) campus in Padang Bulan, Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua Province.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mathew Wale has urged Indonesia to allow a long-awaited United Nations human rights visit to West Papua, telling the UN General Assembly that persistent reports of abuses must be independently verified.

Vanuatu has raised concerns over alleged human rights violations in West Papua, called for the decolonisation of Kanaky New Caledonia and urged France to accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the disputed Matthew and Hunter Islands.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia recently insisted that third countries could not force a UN verification visit to Papua as the country continues to deny allegations of abuse in its easternmost region.

The UN may travel to countries to verify any human rights abuses on the ground. Pressure is now mounting for Indonesia to open its doors.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia rejects unilateral allegations of systematic human rights violations in Papua. The country asserts that it takes any credible allegations seriously and addresses them through national institutions and legal mechanisms, including the independent National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

Andrew Mathieson – Pacific leaders used their address at the 81st session of United Nations general assembly to urge Indonesia to permit the UN Human Rights High Commissioner unrestricted access to visit West Papua.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Legal and Human Rights Department of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI) has launched the GIDI Legal Aid Institute (LBH GIDI) in Jayapura, Papua, on Monday (28/9/2026).

Christine Rovoi – Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale has taken the long-running West Papua human rights issue directly to the United Nations.

Wale is calling again for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to be allowed into the region.

Sorong, Jubi – A resident of Wakom Village, East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua, identified as Wilem, also known as Yae Wakom, has allegedly been tortured at a Marine post in the area.

On 13 July 2026, members of the Indigenous Ateta clan from Sumuri District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province, staged a peaceful protest beginning at approximately 07.00 am at the Office of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) in Teluk Bintuni Regency.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Foundation for Justice and Human Integrity (YKKMP) says the Indonesian government should respond to allegations of human rights violations in Papua with evidence, not pressure.

Pacific Islands leaders have used their addresses to the United Nations General Assembly to urge Indonesia to allow the UN human rights chief access to West Papua.

Pacific Islands Forum countries in 2019 requested that Indonesia allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Papua to assess claims of widespread rights abuses.

Jakarta – Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto said separatist groups in Papua must be defeated, while security operations should be conducted alongside territorial approaches to support development and residents' welfare.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has raised concerns over reported human rights violations in West Papua during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua has lost two journalists who studied at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga, Central Java. Joost Wellem Mirino and Hendrikus Abraham Msojo Ondi died in September 2026, leaving behind a legacy in Papua's journalism and civil society.

Indonesia, West Papua – Five years after the attack on the Kisor military post, various districts in the Maybrat Regency remain under heavy military occupation. At least 15 military and police posts now operate inside villages, many of them in schools, clinics, village offices and family homes.

On 29 July 2026, personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), reportedly affiliated with Kodim 1715/Yahukimo, reportedly detained Mr Ekinus Magayang, 23, a civilian and student from Senyom Village, Kwelamdua District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province.

Tiana Haxton – More than 125,000 people are reported to have been displaced in West Papua as armed conflict escalates, but the real number is likely much higher.

A recent report from the Human Rights Monitor said military operations and armed violence have been particularly intense in the central highlands of Indonesian-ruled Papua region this year.

Indonesia, West Papua – Two new reports published in August 2026 by the Pusaka Foundation and Satya Bumi document what their authors describe as widespread violations of indigenous peoples' rights caused by the National Strategic Project (PSN) for the Food and Energy Estate Area (KPPE) in Merauke Regency, South Papua.

Police officers allegedly used physical violence against seven members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in two separate incidents in Jayapura City and Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, on 11 and 13 August 2026.

Indigenous communities in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, continue to oppose the implementation of Indonesia's National Strategic Project (PSN) for food security amid reports of encroachment on customary land, intimidation of Indigenous land defenders and environmental destruction.

On behalf of the ULMWP and the West Papuan people, I wholeheartedly condemn the brutal massacre of six West Papuan civilians by the Indonesian military in Yahukimo.

Jayapura, Jubi – Solidaritas Merauke has urged police to stop what it describes as the criminalisation of Ariston Moiwend Buako, a Malind Indigenous person in Merauke, South Papua, who has been defending his customary land from a National Strategic Project (PSN).

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua needs practical action rather than political disputes and heated debate, according to Papuan political figure Laurenzus Kadepa.

Kadepa said too much energy was being spent building political narratives and personal popularity while longstanding problems facing communities remained unresolved.

Security forces reportedly open fire at a group ofsix indigenous Papuan civilians near Samboga Village, Yahukimo Regency, on 18 September 2026, while returning from a local gold-panning site. Personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) allegedly released shots without prior warning.

Papuan human rights activists and civil society organisations have called for the protection of Mr Karel Fatem (see photo on top, source: LBH Kaki Abu), a Papuan prisoner allegedly affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), following a death sentence imposed during cassation proceedings before Indonesia's Supreme Court in early August 2026.

On 18 September 2026, Indonesian police reportedly apprehended two minors, Hariel Sengket, 17, and Peniel Magayang, 17, at the Telkomsel complex in Dekai town, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province. The arrests reportedly followed a stabbing incident involving a non-Papuan resident on the evening of 17 September 2026.

Jayapura, Jubi – Dozens of residents of Yobe urban village in Abepura district, Jayapura city, Papua, gathered at the local government office on Monday (21/9/2026) to protest the alleged diversion of rice assistance intended for low-income families.

Security force members reportedly detained 24 activists of the West Papua Independent Student Forum (FIM-WP) during a silent protest in Timika, Mimika Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 17 August 2026 marking Indonesia's Independence Day. The demonstrators were intercepted near the SP2 Roundabout while attempting to participate in a peaceful protest march.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura Administrative Court (PTUN Jayapura) has rejected a legal challenge brought by Malind Indigenous representatives against a decision by the Merauke regent approving the environmental feasibility of a 135-kilometre road project in South Papua.

The documentary Pesta Babi is causing quite a stir in Indonesia, and even far beyond the country's borders. Yet co-director Dandhy Laksono remains as determined as ever. 'The Papuan people deserve our full attention.'

Febryan Kevin Candra Kurniawan, Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has explained the battle of narratives unfolding between the Indonesian government and the separatist West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM).

On 18 August 2026, plain cloth police officers reportedly apprehended Mr Enes Magayang, 25, at Dekai Old Market, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province. The officers arrived in a black Toyota Avanza, forced Mr Magayang into the vehicle and subsequently took him to the Yahukimo District Police Station, where he was detained until 20 August 2026.

Six years have passed since the incident that claimed the life of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua. Yet to this day, the shadow of injustice still envelopes the land of Papua.

Sentani, Jubi – Conditions at many schools in Jayapura Regency, Papua, are concerning. Some schools no longer have adequate desks, tables or chairs, while many also lack proper libraries and laboratories. The quality of education in Jayapura Regency is increasingly at risk as poor facilities hamper teaching and learning.

On 18 August 2026, Indonesian Marine Corps personnel and the Police reportedly arrested Mr Dan Menegiy, 50, the village head of Walehikma, and his 17-year-old son, Ordi Menegiy, outside Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) branch in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. Both were taken into custody at the Yahukimo District Police Station.

On 18 August 2026, personnel of the Marine Corps reportedly arrested Mr Kelgi Bayage and Mr Dais Sikap in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. According to information provided by relatives, Mr Bayage and Mr Sikap, a student at Cenderawasih University (Uncen), were appreheded on Paradiso Road in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Boven Digoel Customary Community Institution (LMA) in South Papua has declared its support for the Awyu Indigenous community in Boven Digoel, which is opposing a National Strategic Project (PSN) planned on their customary land.

Indonesia, West Papua – The ice around Carstensz Peak in West Papua's central highlands has shrunk to roughly 16 hectares and could disappear entirely by late 2026 or early 2027, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.

Indonesia, West Papua – This report on shrinking civic spacetime in Papua is the second of the CoDA series. Developed by the Institute of International Studies (IIS) Universitas Gadjah Mada, CoDA is part of Connect, Defend, Act! (CDA), a project conceived by Hivos and Humanis, with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation (NORAD).

Military personnel reportedly detained Mr Melkias Hagismijau, 25, and Mr Pius Emani, 27, during an overnight military operation in Eknemba Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, beginning around midnight on 8 September 2026. Both were reportedly detained at the Eknemba TNI Outpost until local residents and community representatives intervened.

On 17 September 2026, officers of the Jayapura District Police reportedly detained six political activists, including a 17-year old minor, affiliated with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at Old Sentani Market (Pasar Lama Sentani) in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.

Andrew Mathieson – Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights has counted 109 people have officially been killed or seriously injured in violence from the ongoing armed conflict across the West Papua territory in the first half of this year.

Jayapura, Jubi – Pastor Yance Douw of the Jayapura Diocese says dialogue, access to information, solidarity and a better understanding of Papua's history are important to addressing the ongoing conflict and humanitarian issues in the region.

Jayapura, Jubi – Amnesty International Indonesia has called for an end to the killing of civilians in Papua by armed groups, including the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

The call came in response to recent cases involving the alleged abduction, hostage-taking and killing of civilians in Papua by the TPNPB.

Indonesia, West Papua – The past weeks have been characterised by a re-occuring pattern of impunity across the Papuan provinces. Civilians died or were seriously injured during security operations, families and lawyers file reports, legislative bodies form special committees, and the police pledge transparent investigations.

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed responsibility for the shooting that killed a driver, Aris Sanda, on the Wamena-Nduga road in Papua Highlands province.

The incident occurred near Lake Habema in Jayawijaya Regency on Tuesday (15/9/2026). The victim was found dead inside his burnt vehicle on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Police said 78 students were detained while they were preparing to take part in a demonstration against the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency in Papua province, on Tuesday (15 September 2026). The students were registered and later released.

Manokwari, Jubi – Two palm oil companies involved in National Strategic Projects (PSN), Genting Oil Kasuri Pte. Ltd (GOKPL) and PT Prabu Alaska, have been accused of dumping waste and clearing endemic Papuan trees in the Sumuri District of Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua province.

On 15 September 2026, Indonesian police arbitrarily detained school pupils and university students, used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations, and obstructed access to legal assistance during protests against the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) in Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency, Papua province.