The Vatican has appointed an Augustinian priest, known as a human rights activist, as bishop of a diocese in Indonesia's conflict-ridden Christian-majority Papua region.
Father Bernardus Bowitwos Baru, 56, was named the new bishop of Timika Diocese in Papua on March 8.
Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The spokesperson of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) Sebby Sambom stated that the firearms confiscated by the Papua Regional Police were ordered from the Indonesian military. Previously, the police seized six units of firearms produced by PT Pindad from Yuni Enumbi, 29, in Keerom Regency on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Spokesperson of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement or TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, said that their group buys weapons through the black market.
Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, together with the Papua Regional Police, arrested former TNI (Indonesian Military) soldier Yuni Enumbi (YE) while smuggling weapons and ammunition for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM).
Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Women's Coalition for the Defence of Human Rights in the Land of Papua held a silent action at the Cenderawasih University Monument in Abepura, Jayapura city, Papua province, on March 8.
The action was held to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) and took up the theme "Respect, Protect and Fulfil Women's Human Rights in the Land of Papua".
Indonesia, West Papua – On 5 March 2025, a police officer reportedly stabbed Mr Elinus Walianggen during police detention in the town of Elelim Yalimo Regency. Mr Walianggen was stopped by the police while riding a motorcycle with his friend, Mr Roni Kepno, in the back. Both men were intoxicated.
Indonesia, West Papua – The Indonesian military (TNI) deployed new troops and intensified operations in the regencies Pegunungan Bintang and Puncak in January and February 2025. The military operations were reportedly carried out in indigenous communities, causing new internal displacements.
Indonesia, West Papua – The investigation into the Molotov bomb attack on the Jubi office has seen a setback, with new developments raising concerns about the authorities' commitment to uncover the perpetrators.
Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has condemned constructing a military post in Yuguru village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Highland Papua.
Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – The Indonesian Supreme Court has upheld a government decision to curb the expansion of a multibillion-dollar oil palm plantation project in the country's easternmost region of Papua.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 19 October 2024, the Indonesian military (509/BY TNI), in collaboration with the Indonesian National Police launched an operation in Bilogai Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province.
Indonesia, West Papua – The sexual assault of two underaged females during police custody in the Kaimana Regency, Papua Barat Province, on 16 February 2025 has again drawn public attention to the lack of professionalism among the police in West Papua.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 30 December 2024, a shooting occurred at a cockfighting arena in Prafi, Manokwari Regency, Papua Barat Province. A police officer's warning shot killed a civilian named Amir Hidayat Sianturi. The officer involved, identified as Brigadier A, was reportedly breaking up a disturbance at the cockfighting venue when the projectile ricocheted, hitting Sianturi.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 4 March 2025, Mr Aguni Sondegau, a 25-year-old motorcycle taxi driver was arbitrarily arrested and tortured by members of the Yonif 509 military unit at the Holomama Military Post, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province. The TNI members arrested Mr Sondegau at approximately 08:00 am without a warrant.
Jakarta – Twenty-two Indonesian civil society organizations have sent a letter to European Union Commissioners to express their concerns over the worsening condition of Papua's rainforests. The region faces the threat of deforestation of 2 million hectares of forest, alongside increasing risks to the Indigenous Malind and Yei communities.
Tempo.co, Jakarta – Twenty-two Indonesian civil society organizations have sent a letter to European Union Commissioners to express their concerns over the worsening condition of Papua's rainforests. The region faces the threat of the deforestation of 2 million hectares of forest, alongside increasing risks to the Indigenous Malind and Yei communities.
Ahmad Arif, Jakarta – Civil society organisations in Indonesia are asking the European Commission to consider deforestation and threats to the rights of indigenous peoples in Papua in assessing country and regional risks within the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) benchmarking scheme.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 14 February 2025, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) arbitrarily detained and tortured Mr Abner Karet, 23, in Sorong City, Papua Barat Daya Province. The incident arose from a personal dispute between a TNI member and residents but escalated as around 40 TNI personnel arrived at the scene.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 27 February 2025, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) arbitrarily arrested Mr Goliath Sani, 19, and a friend following an armed clash between the military and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Mamba Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province, at around 04:30 pm.
Teuila Fuatai – For more than 60 years, the Indigenous people of West Papua have sought independence from Indonesia. It's estimated that more than 500,000 civilians have been killed in the struggle, while thousands more have fled the region.
Ali Mirin – Last week, on 26 February 2025, President Prabowo Subianto officially launched Indonesia's first bullion banks, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to gold and precious metal management.
Indonesia is now waking up to what I said after Prabowo Subianto was elected last year: that the ghost of Suharto has returned. The New Order dictatorship was buried twenty-five years ago, but under Prabowo's rule it is being reborn.
Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – The Cartenz Peace Operation is pursuing six inmates who escaped from the Class IIB Wamena Penitentiary on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Novan, Jakarta – The Constitutional Court has told the General Elections Commission (KPU) to hold a revote in Papua after disqualifying deputy governor candidate Yermias Bisai.
Presiding Judge Suhartoyo confirmed this while reading the ruling on a regional election dispute case filed by rival candidate-pair Mathius Fakhiri and Aryoko Alberto Ferdinand Rumaropen.
Indonesia, West Papua – The Indonesian government's 'Free Nutritious Food' Project (Makanan Bergizi Gratis, MBG), spearheaded by President Prabowo Subianto, has reached West Papua. The program aims to reach 2 million pupils nationwide, with a large-scale rollout scheduled for 17 February 2025.
Victor Mambor, Jayapura, Indonesia – More than 1,000 students in Indonesia's restive Papua region took to the streets to protest a government-sponsored free-meal program, demanding that the government instead prioritize free education.
Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The rollout of the government's free nutritious meal program in Papua has triggered student protests, with demonstrators demanding better access to education in the region.
Executive Summary
Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Papua Police Chief Inspector General Patrige Renwarin stated that Aske Mabel was involved in several attacks since fleeing the police force with four organic firearms from the Yalimo Police Resort, Papua Highlands, in mid-2024. Patrige stated that Aske was at least involved in 10 attacks and killed six people.
Jayapura – Student Executive Boards (BEM) from a number of campuses in Jayapura, including the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ), the Cenderawasih University (Uncen) and the Papua Muhammadiyah University, held a "Dark Indonesia" demonstration on the grounds of the USTJ campus in Abepura, Jayapura city, Papua province on Thursday February 20.
Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Head of the Public Relations of the Papua Regional Police, Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady, denied claims that officers fired gunshots during a protest against the free nutritious meal program in Wamena, Papua Highlands on Monday, August 17, 2025. Benny also denied allegations of excessive force used by the police.
Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – The Indonesian Educational Monitoring Network (JPPI) has condemned the repressive actions by the police against students who held demonstrations rejecting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Jayapura and Wamena, Papua. The peaceful demonstration was forcibly dispersed by the authorities, who were allegedly using physical violence and tear gas.
Jayapura – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation or TPNPB-OPM has announced that all schools in Papua, especially in armed conflict areas, should go on strike for as long as the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri) use them as military posts.
Responding to the excessive actions by the police and the state civil servants (ASN) against protests by high school students rejecting the government's free nutritious meals (MBG) program in a number of cities in Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:
Rizki Dewi Ayu, Jakarta – Thousands of students in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, PapuaHighlands Province, staged a protest against the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program on Monday, February 17. The demonstration was attended by junior high school (SMP), senior high school (SMA), and university students.
Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Presidential Communication Office Head Hasan Nasbi responded to the protest against the free nutritious meal program in Papua. According to him, every individual has the right to reject the program and refuse to enjoy nutritious food.
Jayapura – Today, on Monday February 17, students who are members of the West Papua High School Students Solidarity Front (FSPWP) held peaceful demonstrations against the government's free nutritious meals (MBG) program in a number of cities in the land of Papua.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 8 February 2025, five Papuan students were arbitrarily arrested without an arrest warrant by plainclothes officers in Jayapura. The students were identified as Mr Frengky Anouw, Mr Nataniel Pigai, Mr Fransiskus Petege, Mr Esau Kogoya, and Mr Yosua Mote.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 12 February 2025, students from the Puncak Regency, along with an investigative team probing the murder and mutilation of Tarina Murib, attempted to hold a peaceful demonstration at the local parliament Office in Nabire, Papua Tengah Province.
Indonesia, West Papua – The Papua representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has urged the Manokwari Municipal Police (Polresta) to arrest OU immediately, the alleged perpetrator responsible for the shooting of senior advocate and human rights defender Yan Christian Warinussy with an airrifle.
Indonesia, West Papua – Komnas HAM has condemned the use of public facilities such as schools, district offices, and churches as security posts by the Indonesian military (TNI) and police in West Papua, stating that it constitutes a human rights violation.
West Papua – On 26 January 2025, human rights activist Mrs. Tineke Rumkabu attended a worship service at the GIDI Church outpost in Biak, Papua, Indonesia. After the service, around 12:20 pm while she and other church members gathered in the compound, joint security force members arrived and began questioning Mrs Rumkabu about alleged activities related to the Free Papua movement.
Indonesia, West Papua – On 29 January 2025, a student named Herlis Pakaimu died after reportedly being tortured and shot by military members in the town of Kepi, Mappi Regency, Papua Selatan Province. Two other Papuans, Mr Steven Agawemu and Mr Santos Agawemu, were allegedly tortured by the same military personnel.
Jakarta – Thousands of Christians in Papua recently set a national record for having the largest number of people to handwrite the entirety of the Bible.
Aida Ulim, Jayapura – The Journalist Justice and Safety Advocacy Coalition (KAKKJ) in Papua held another peaceful action on Monday February 10 in which they urged the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam) Military Police Detachment (Denpomdam) to revealed the perpetrators of the Molotov bomb attack on the Jubi editorial office last year.
Jayapura – The Bintang Highlands High School and University Student Association (IMPPETANG) together with the Bintang Highlands community held a peaceful demonstration calling for the TNI (Indonesian Military) and Polri (Indonesian Police) to be withdrawn from Bintang Highlands regency.
To mark the 30th anniversary of Christine Anu's version of the iconic hit, My Island Home, Australian world music star Mitch Tambo and his wife Voice of Lele have released a duet and their take on the classic.
Indonesia, West Papua – Prominent Papuan human rights activist Yones Douw died on Sunday, 2 February 2025 at his home in Karang Timur, Kali Harapan Village, Nabire District, Papua Tengah Province.
Jakarta – The government plans to provide pardons or amnesty for around 44 thousand prisoners. One of the categories of prisoners who will receive amnesty are political prisoners related to Papua.
Jayapura – In order to manage the armed conflict that has plagued the Indonesian region of West Papua for decades, the Indonesian government, led by the new President Prabowo Subianto, is considering an amnesty for the independence rebels in Papua.