Kanako Mita, Sawako Utsumi, and Lee Jay Walker – Spare a thought for the Indigenous Papuans, who have endured decades of persecution in their own homeland under Indonesian rule. This ongoing form of colonialism is enabled by nations that continue to supply arms to Indonesia – just as troubling is the silence of regional powers that accept Jakarta's authority without challenge.

West Papuan pro-independence advocate Benny Wenda has called for a boycott on Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations.

Declaring the raising of the Indonesian flag in West Papua as illegal, Wenda said Papuan Independence Day was December 1, the day in 1963 when the outgoing Dutch authorities handed over autonomy of the region.

On 12 August 2025, a peaceful protest near Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, turned violent when police officers led by the Chief of the Airport Security Unit (KP3), Officer Wajedi, allegedly used excessive force against demonstrators.

The four political prisoners from the West Papua Federal Republic Organisation (NRFPB), namely Mr Abraham G.

The West Papuan National Committee (KNPB) has called on West Papuans to commemorate the tragic day in their history, the 15 August in 1962 (The New York Agreement) when the Papuan people were betrayed by the international community.

Putri Nurjannah Kurita, Sentani – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has called for peaceful actions to commemorate 63 years since the New York Agreement on August 15, 1962, and the racist incident against Papuan students in Surabaya on August 17, 2019.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 10 August 2025, police officers from the Teluk Bintuni Police Department arbitrarily arrested two young women, Mrs Aksimina Muuk,20, and Mrs Derina Mosoum, 20, at Bintuni Bay Port, Papua Barat Province, along with a five-month-old infant and a five-year-old boy, Wene Husage.

On 5 August 2025, members of the Yahukimo Military District Command (Koramil) arbitrarily detained Mr Son Balingga (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs) at the rear complex of the Koramil Yahukimo. At the time of his arrest, Mr Balingga was accompanied by his friend and had stopped to refuel his motorcycle.

Indonesia, West Papua – In the early hours of 7 August 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly raided the Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency, resulting in the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of church facilities, and the shooting of a 13-year-old girl named Y. W.

On 31 July 2025, the Nabire City Police arrested Mr. Deki Widigipa, 24, a member of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), at A. Gobay Road, Karang Tumaritis Market, Nabire, at 11:00 am. The officers accused him of robbery and motor vehicle theft.

Indonesia, West Papua – The humanitarian crisis in West Papua continues. As of mid-August 2025, more than 80,709 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).

Indonesia, West Papua – Between April and July 2025, Papuan students in the Indonesian cities Gorontalo, Surabaya, Makassar, and Yogyakarta faced an alarming escalation of coordinated intimidation campaigns.

On 25 July 2025, Mr Yordan Nyamuk Karunggu, a Papuan activist from Nduga Regency, Papua Highlands Province, rejected accusations by Indonesian intelligence operatives and student groups alleging that he was a member of the TPNPB (West Papua National Liberation Army).

Igor Oneill, Jakarta – Greenpeace Indonesia has launched a photo book Paradise Silenced at KALA in Kalijaga, South Jakarta. Following International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the launch provided a joyful space for Indigenous Papuan representatives and the wider public to discuss the past, present, and future of West Papua (or 'Tanah Papua' as it is also known).

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Thousands of people are protesting in Papua, demanding the government replace Acting Governor Agus Fatoni with the Commander of the Military Regional Command (Kodam) XVII/Cenderawasih as the region's temporary governor.

According to information received from local human rights observers, 22-year-old Aprianus Nabelau, was arbitrarily detained in SP2, Nabire Town, Central Papua Province, by members of the Indonesian military on 8 July 2025, without presenting any legal grounds or arrest warrant.

On 14 July 2025, at approximately 8:00 pm, lawyer Mr Joshua Rumbiak and six companions, including Wenior Pakage, Head of the Religious Affairs Working Group of the Central Papua People's Assembly), were allegedly assaulted by a dozen members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Battalion 754 in front of the battalion's headquarters in Timika.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 10 August 2025, Indonesian security forces opened fire on a group of indigenous Papuans, predominantly children, without prior warning in the Moanemani Airport area of Kamu District, Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua Province.

Larius Kogoya, Nabire – President Prabowo Subianto's granting of amnesty to Papuan political prisoner (tapol) Viktor Makamuke ahead of the Republic of Indonesia's 80th Anniversary is seen as image building and a pubic deception.

Andi Adam Faturahman – The Head of Information for the TNI's XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, Colonel Candra Kurniawan, has asserted that burning the Indonesian flag is an unjustifiable act, even when committed by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) militia.

Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) burned several Indonesian flags in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Andrew Mathieson – Indonesian forces in West Papua have arrested 42 Papuan liberation activists, including a prominent 74-year-old tribal chief, during an independence separatist meeting.

Douglas Gerrard – In the West Papuan regency of Merauke, close to the border with Papua New Guinea, Indonesia is rapidly clearing land in the world's largest ever deforestation project: three million hectares for sugarcane and rice production.

On 4 August 2025, 17-year-old Naris Kalakmabin, a motorcycle taxi driver from Alutbakon Village, Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province, was shot in the right leg by members of the Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas RI – PNG Statis Koops Swasembada Yonif 751/VJS).

Jakarta – The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) confirmed on Thursday that Mayer Wenda alias Kuloi Wonda, a rebel leader of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), was slain while resisting arrest in Highland Papua province.

According to a TNI press release, TNI personnel laid an ambush for Wenda in Mukoni sub-district, Lanny Jaya district, Highland Papua, on Tuesday.

Angelina Tiara Puspitalova, Edy Can, Jakarta – The phenomenon of the installation of the One Piece flag, which has been widespread of late, is reminiscent of the story of Indonesia's 4th President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. He once took steps that were considered brave and different in responding to the raising of flags other than the red-and-white national flag.

Anastasya Lavenia Yudi, Jakarta – Spokesperson for the National Command of the West Papuan National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, has called for a rejection of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day celebration.

On behalf of the people of West Papua, I condemn the arrest of the 42 ULMWP representatives last week by the Indonesian police. Indonesia has proven once again that fundamental human rights do not exist in West Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 10-page document outlines cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns, the escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians, significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua, and international responses and initiatives.

Daniel Ahmad Fajri, Jakarta – The National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Movement, or TPNPB OPM, issued a prohibition on the raising of the Indonesian flag in Papua on August 17, 2025, which is the day Indonesia commemorates its Independence Day. Their reason is for the education of the Papuan people.

Mr Samson Same, a displaced Papuan man from Kisor Village, died in custody on 9 July 2025 at the Class IIB Sorong Prison (see photo, source: Jubi), Papua Barat Daya Province.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 17 July 2025, members of the Indonesian security forces, including the Beoga Police Chief and personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), were captured on video engaging in the illegal collection of community funds from village heads in Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.

On 28 July 2025, employees of the palm oil company PT Putera Manunggal Perkasa (PT PMP) in Kais, Sorong Selatan Regency, staged a peaceful protest (see photo on top, source: Jubi) demanding clarity over their employment status and labour rights following a management transition.

On 17 July 2025, two Papuan students, Mr Oknis Faluk and Mr Higit Pahabol, were arbitrarily arrested by plain clothes police officers upon disembarking at Jayapura Port, Papua Province.

Indonesia, West Papua – Groundbreaking satellite data analysis and interactive mapping tools have revealed the unprecedented scale of deforestation and ecosystem destruction across West Papua, with the National Strategic Projects driving 24% of the forest loss in 2024.

On 9 July 2024, Indonesian military personnel reportedly opened fire at indigenous Papuan, Mr Eran Gwijangge, in Yuguru Village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

Arga Nur Wahid – A Papuan arts and cultural performance organised by the East Java Papua Alumni Association in the Kya-Kya area of Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday evening July 27 has ended in chaos.

Jayapura – Dozens of protester from the Justice Front for Tobias Silak, consisting of the Cipayung Youth and Social Organisation (OKP Cipayung), movement activists, community members and the victim's family, held a long-march starting at 8.40 am from the Cross Tower to the Wamena District Court building while giving speeches and shouting for justice for the late Tobias Silak.

On 11 July 2025, at 3:00 am, police officers arbitrarily detained eight indigenous Papuans in the Yahukimo Regency at two different locations along Seredalah Road. All suspects were detained at the Yahukimo Police headquarters (see photo on top, source: Jubi).

Indonesia, West Papua – On 26 July 2025, police officers arbitrarily detained Mr Stevanus Silak, Mr Eben Sobolim, and Mr Ami Sobolim at Nop Goliat Airport in Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua highland Province.

Indonesia, West Papua – Healthcare in West Papua remains in a state of structural emergency, marked by institutional decay, corruption, and impunity.

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Head of the Information Center of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Major General Kristomei Sianturi said the military will anticipate potential attacks by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) targeting doctors in conflict-prone areas. He stated that the military will collaborate with the police and local government.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 6 July 2025, a 25-year-old Papuan Villager, Mr Yemau Kiwak Magai, was reportedly executed by security force members in Gilini Village, Omukia District, Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province. The killing occurred during a military operation in Omukia District, beginning on Sunday, 6 July 2025.

Indonesia, West Papua – On the evening of 17 July 2025, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly tortured and executed Mr Obert Mirip, an 18-year-old student, inside the Titigi Military Post, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province (see photo on top, source: Jubi).

Antara, Jakarta – The Cartenz Peace Task Force arrested a member of the separatist group TPNPB OPM (West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Movement), Male Telenggen, on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

However, the member of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB), as the government refers to the OPM, was arrested without a weapon.

Both police and military in West Papua have carried out numerous incidents of torture and other human rights violations but have faced almost no consequences.

Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia has deployed its military to help accelerate the long-delayed Trans Papua Road project, which has faced persistent setbacks due to security threats from armed groups in the region.

Jakarta – The administration has changed seven times since Papua's official integration into the Republic in 1969, but the old stories of poverty, marginalization and human rights abuses plaguing the natural resource-rich land have remained the same.

Julian Isaac – The Indonesian Military (TNI) is committed to supporting the completion of the Trans-Papua Highway during President Prabowo Subianto's terms in office.

While the military is not involved in construction, it plays a critical role in securing the project from threats posed by armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua's high-risk regions.

Resty Woro Yuniar – President Prabowo Subianto's decision to assign Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka responsibility for Papua has fuelled speculation that he is being politically sidelined under the guise of a development mission to Indonesia's most restive region.