Caleb Fotheringham – The international advocacy group, Human Rights watch, has put out a plea to Indonesia's President to stop human rights abuses in West Papua.

President Prabowo Subianto has just completed 100 days in the job.

Meenakshi Ganguly – The Indonesian administration of President Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo is sending mixed signals about a proposed amnesty to tens of thousands of Papuans convicted or facing charges for allegedly backing the armed secessionist movement in West Papua.

Kurt Bayer – In February 2023, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped by armed rebels in Indonesia's volatile Papua region. He would spend 594 days in captivity before he was finally released, after a fraught, behind-closed-doors diplomatic effort.

Budi Hernawan, Indonesia – Civicus speaks to Budi Hernawan, human rights defender and senior lecturer at Driyarkara School of Philosophy in Jakarta.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been alerted to the risk that copper produced at the Grasberg Mine, West Papua, Indonesia, and used in copper products traded on the London Metal Exchange, could constitute "criminal property" under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – The Indonesian government still has outstanding issues of resolving cases of human rights (HAM) including in the land of Papua. The practice of impunity or legal immunity for the perpetrators has made finding a solution drag on further.

Victor Mambor and Tria Dianti, Jayapura, Indonesia, and Jakarta – The Indonesian government's proposal to grant amnesty to pro-independence rebels in Papua has stirred skepticism as the administration of new President Prabowo Subianto seeks to deal with the country's most protracted armed conflict.

A West Papuan advocacy group is calling for an urgent international inquiry into allegations that Indonesian security forces have used the chemical weapon white phosphorus against West Papuans for a second time.

The allegations were made in the new documentary, Frontier War, by Paradise Broadcasting.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Head of Information at the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Major General Hariyanto, said the government's plan to pardon prisoners linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) will not disrupt the security in Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – This 6-page document lists cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns; escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua; and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 October to 31 December 2024.

Human rights

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto will only grant amnesty to inmates who have not been involved in armed insurgency for now, despite calls otherwise, according to Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas.

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – The Papuan people have continuously been victims of the militaristic practices carried out by the Indonesian government since 1963.

Presented by Bill Birtles – Indonesia's President is considering an amnesty for detained political activists in the country's far eastern Papua region. The area's armed pro-independence movement regularly clashes with Indonesian security forces. Activists are cautious about the olive branch.

Denny Armandhanu, Izzah Aqilah Norman, Jakarta – Papua province's Youtefa Bay, known for its azure waters and lush mangrove forests, has seen infrastructure development that has helped improve locals' lives and the economy.

Cafes and restaurants have mushroomed there since the Youtefa bridge's inauguration by then-Indonesian president Joko Widodo in 2019, for instance.

Moffat Mamu – Leader of Opposition Matthew has strongly condemned the latest murders in West Papua by the Indonesian military.

Hon Wale's call comes amidst recent media reports of Indonesian military unit that are roaming Intan Jaya Regency, slaughtering West Papuans at will. The recent killings have also included minors.

Victor Mambor, Kurinbin, Papua, Indonesia – On a hilltop accessible only by hours traversing dense jungle on foot, the influential Kimko Jinipjo clan in Indonesia's Papua region gathered for a rare ceremony called "Awon Atatbon" earlier this month.

Reuters, Ananda Teresia, Jakarta – Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto is considering pardons for prisoners linked to armed organizations in the restive easternmost province of Papua, including separatists, providing they renounce violence and abandon secessionist agendas, a senior minister said on Wednesday.

Jayapura – The sudden occupation of forest areas and villages of indigenous peoples by the massive deployment of military units in the Indonesian region of Papua is becoming a constant that marks the life of an entire region with its human and natural heritage.

Church officials in Indonesia have rejected Indonesian security forces' claims of normalcy in a conflict zone in Papua, expressing concerns about the situation of displaced people and their safety.

The Church leaders said the security situation in the five villages in Oksop district is not yet normal, according to reports from pastoral officers of the Church in the field.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 28 November 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Parim Village, Serambakon District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, when Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel killed Mr Methodius Uropmabin, 28, and Mr Nerius Oktemka, 25.

Ali Mirin – In a concerted effort to stifle support for West Papua's aspiration for independence, Indonesia has embarked on diplomatic initiatives with Pacific nations and communities.

Ali Mirin – Indonesia officially joined the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa – consortium last week marking a significant milestone in its foreign relations.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 10 December 2024, a group of students from the Walter Post School of Theology (STT) in Jayapura were arbitrarily stopped by police while they were driving to a public commemoration worship for the Human Rights Day, organised by the Papuan Council of Churches and Indigenous Pastors.

Indonesia, West Papua – Protests by Papuan students in the cities of Yogyakarta, Java Tengah Province, and Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan Province) were forcefully dispersed by police officers on 1 and 2 December 2024 in commemoration of the 1st December 1961.

Jakarta – Police are intensifying security patrols in Yalimo regency, Papua Highlands, following the shooting of two civilians last week, as they seek to stabilize the situation and capture the shooter.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The Papua representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is urging the Manokwari Municipal Police (Polresta) to immediately arrest OU, the alleged perpetrators of the shooting of senior advocate and human rights defender Yan Christian Warinussy in Manokwari regency, West Papua, on July 17 last year.

Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – Two civilians were killed in Elelim District, Yalimo, Papua Mountains, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Both were immigrants from South Sulawesi who were working in Bumi Cendrawasih.

Franky Samperante, Jakarta – The narrative of "empty land/unproductive forest" or "no forest/no trees" is often used by authorities to negate and delegitimize the existence of indigenous communities and the surrounding natural environment.

Indonesia, West Papua – Human Rights Monitor's latest investigation reveals evidence of widespread and systematic attacks against indigenous civilians in Indonesia's Papua Tengah Province during security force operations in April 2023.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 1 November 2024, the Supreme Court of Indonesia rejected the cassation appeal filed by Mr Hendrikus Franky Woro, an environmental advocate and member of the indigenous Awyu tribe, regarding the environmental feasibility permit granted to PT Indo Asiana Lestari (IAL).

Paul Gregoire – United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) provisional government interim president Benny Wenda has warned that since Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto took office in October, he has been proven right in having remarked, after the politician's last February election, that his coming marks the return of "the ghost of Suharto" – the brutal dictator who ruled

Indonesia, West Papua – On 24 December 2024, Mr Febrian Agapa, 20, was seriously injured after being shot at close range by the driver of a vehicle from a convoy escorted by security forces.

Indonesia, West Papua – On 20 December 2024, Mr Sulfianto Alias, director of the NGO Panah Papua, was beaten by a group of individuals in multiple locations in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province. One of the perpetrators allegedly identified himself as a police officer.

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto greeted thousands of National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers stationed in Papua via video call alongside Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on New Year's Eve.

Don Wiseman – Indonesia's new president Prabowo Subianto has revealed plans to pardon as many as 44,000 convicts – about a third of the country's prison population.

It is being cast as a human rights gesture but given Prabowo's own record on human rights, critics believe it may be a tough sell.

Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has stated that the shooting of two civilians by para-military police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers in Dekai, Yahukimo regency, last August, was a human rights violation.

Hans Arnold Kapisa (Contributor), Jakarta – Environmental activist Sulfianto Alias, the director of the non-government organisation (NGO) Panah Papua, suffered serious injuries after being brutally beaten on the morning of Friday December 20 in Bintuni Bay regency, West Papua.

Indonesia, West Papua – A shooting incident involving the Indonesian military (TNI) occurred in Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua (Papua tengah) Province, on 16 December 2024, leaving three civilians injured. The incident began around 10:00 AM following a traffic accident and subsequent confrontation.

Markus You, Jayapura – Demanding justice for the fatal shooting of Tobias Silak and the wounding of Naro Dapla in Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Papua Highlands, national actions were held in several cities on December 16. Aside from Jayapura, similar actions were held in Jakarta, the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar and other cities.

Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The Indonesian government is considered to not be serious about resolving the armed conflict in Papua. An approach of peaceful dialogue must continue to be encouraged as an effort to resolve the conflict in Papua, but the government has ignored this.

Maulana Ilhami Fawdi, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) noted that between January and December 2024 there were 113 human rights incidents in Papua, 85 of which had the dimensions of armed conflict and violence.

Jayapura – Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) says that military operations in the land of Papua only sacrifice civilians and create massive internal displacement.

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has recorded 113 alleged human rights violations in Papua from January to December 16, 2024. Of these, 85 were related to armed conflicts and violence.

Jayapura – In view of the Christmas celebrations on December 25, the Bishop of Jayapura, Yanuarius Teofilus Matopai You, calls for an end to the measures that prevent displaced Papuans from returning home to celebrate Christmas in the Oksop district.

Jayapura – The Journalist Justice and Safety Advocacy Coalition (KAKKJ) in Papua, which consists of journalists, human rights defenders, students, the Cipayung Group and the Front, held a peaceful demonstration in front of the Papua Regional Police (Polda) Headquarters in Jayapura city, Papua, on Tuesday December 17.

Andrew Mathieson – An Indonesian minister within Prabowo Subianto's new government took little time to announce plans to resume a former transmigration program throughout the eastern regions of a sovereign Indonesia, including the largest Papua province in western New Guinea, saying it was needed to enhance unity and provide locals with welfare.

Ayu Cipta, Jakarta – Two police officers in Papua, Adjunct Inspector One (Aiptu) Hidayat Suratnoharta and Senior Brigadier Tri Yudha Argadianto, died following an attack by unidentified assailants.

Aiptu Hidayat passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, a day after the death of Bripka Tri Yudha, who succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Fika Nurul Ulya, Bagus Santosa, Jakarta – Minister of Law (Menkum) Supratman Andi Agtas has revealed that it has been proposed that as many as 18 prisoners involved in cases related to Papua are to be given amnesty.

Dede Leni Mardiant, Jakarta – Gunfire engagement between a group calling themselves the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) and the Indonesian National Army (TNI) occurred again in Lanny Jaya, Papua Mountains, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Gamaliel Kaliele, Sorong – Papua Independent Indigenous Communities (MAI) General Chairperson Johanes Tsenawatme has condemned the attitude of the government which continues to ignore threats against human rights activists in the land of Papua.