A West Papua freedom movement leader is renewing calls for a UN human rights visit to Papua after new videos of Indonesian soldiers torturing a West Papuan man emerged online.
In the video viewed by RNZ Pacific, a group of men wearing Indonesian military uniforms take turns kicking, punching and slicing an indigenous Papuan man.
Gratianus Silas, Jayapura – Cenderawasih/XVII Regional Military Commander Major General Izak Pangemanan has spoken out about a video that has gone viral of a Papuan civilian being tortured by rogue TNI (Indonesian military) officers.
Victor Mambor and Dandy Koswaraputra, Jayapura, Indonesia and Jakarta – Military officials in Indonesia's restive Papua region said Friday they were verifying the authenticity of a video that has gone viral and appears to show Indonesian servicemen beating and cutting with a bayonet a man believed to be an indigenous Papuan.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM Papua) has urged the Papua Police and Yahukimo Police to uncover the perpetrators of murder and rape against two female refugees in Yahukimo, IS and AK, on October 11, 2023. Police must ensure the complete enforcement of the law and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Jayapura, Jubi- The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) shot down a helicopter in Baya Biru District, Paniai Regency on Wednesday (20/3/2024), claiming that the helicopter was carrying mining logistics operating in Baya Biru. The mine is suspected to be illegal.
Merauke, Jubi – Hundreds of Indigenous Papuan mama (women/mothers) who are members of the Association of Indigenous Papuan Mama Traders (IPM2AP) in Merauke Regency, South Papua, staged a protest demanding the local government to construct a representative market within the city of Merauke.
Merauke, Papua – The AIDS commission (KPA) noted that from January to March 2024, there were 16 cases of HIV-AIDS in Merauke Regency, South Papua. Three of them resulted in fatalities. Damario Sriyono, the Secretary of KPA in Merauke Regency, stated to Jubi on Tuesday (3/19/2024) that among the cases recorded earlier this year, the patients were from the general public.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) expressed its assessment that the Cartenz Peace Operation in Papua does not demonstrate a prioritization of law enforcement. LBH Papua urged the government to evaluate the implementation of the Cartenz Peace Operation in Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – Two students arrested in Kali Brasa, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency on February 22, 2024 and have yet to be released by the police as of today. The two teenagers, MH and BGE, have been made suspects in the case of aircraft shooting.MH and BGE were apprehended by security forces on suspicion of being members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
Jayapura, Jubi – The indigenous community of the Awyu Tribe has filed a cassation against the decision of the Manado State Administrative High Court which rejected their appeal regarding their lawsuit against the environmental feasibility permit issued by the Papua Department of Investment and One-Stop Service for PT Indo Asiana Lestari.
Jayapura, Jubi – In March 1973, then President of Indonesia Soeharto, accompanied by the Governor of Irian Jaya Frans Kaisiepo and the Director of Freeport Minerals, officially inaugurated the Ertsberg mine for the first time. This mountain was excavated for copper concentrate to be exported from Nemangkawi abroad.
Stevanus Yogi, Paniai – A Russian tourist and photographer named Shmatov Ivan Aleksandrovich was arrested by security forces in Earotali, East Paniai district, Paniai regency, Central Papua, on Monday March 11.
Merauke, Jubi – Thousands of indigenous Papuans in South Papua Province took to the streets at Brawijaya-Libra Circle Park in Merauke Regency on Tuesday (3/13/2024). They believed their political rights were undermined during the 2024 General Election, particularly regarding the legislative vote count held in four districts in the region.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Democracy Alliance for Papua (ALDP), conducting independent monitoring during the 2024 elections, concluded that the political understanding among election participants, electoral organizers, and the public was severely lacking during the implementation of the 2024 elections in the Papua and Mountainous Papua provinces.
Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Indigenous Amungme Community Institution (LEMASA), John Magal, expressed strong support for the efforts of the Central Papuan People's Assembly (MRPT) to establish a Special Committee to review the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) of PT Freeport Indonesia while encouraging Freeport to engage in dialogue while receiving input from various parti
Jayapura, Jubi – The Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation hosted a discussion and its book launch "End of Year Notes 2023" at Bakoel Koffie Cikini, Jakarta, on Wednesday (6/3/2024). The discussion delved into the theme of continuing resistance against the extractive development of Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Language Center held a coordination meeting with local governments from March 5 to 7, 2024 as a joint commitment to revitalizing regional languages.
Jakarta – Five Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers have been named suspects in an attack on a police station in Jayawijaya, Papua Highlands.
As part of the investigation, the Region XVII/Cendrawasih Military Police have examined 21 TNI soldiers suspected of being connected to the attack.
Jayapura, Jubi – Numbuk Telenggen, the commander of the Third Defense Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Ilaga stated that they will not remain silent following the security forces' action of apprehending Komputer Tabuni, also known as Alenus Tabuni.
Timika, Jubi – Agustinus Hanggaibak, chairman of the Central Papua's People Assembly (Central Papua MRP), announced that his party has formed a special committee to analyze the environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) of PT Freeport Indonesia, with Yehuda Gobay appointed as the chairman of said committee.
A West Papuan independence leader has called on the Dutch Parliament to support a United Nations visit to the Melanesian region ruled by Indonesia and says the recent election of Prabowo Subianto as the next President is a "frightening" prospect due to his notorious human rights record.
Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) accuses the Indonesian Military (TNI), namely the Infantry Battalion 330 division, of shooting three civilians in Sugapa District's Titigi Village, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province.
Sabrina Asril, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) is asking the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to be serious in investigating the recent violence that has occurred in Papua.
Kontras Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said this is important in order to stop a repeat of the violence.
Jayapura, Papua – Assistant to the National Police (Polri) Chief, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, stated that his side will recruit 10 thousand people to be assigned in the four provinces in Papua.
The recruitment of 10 thousand personnel will be carried out from 2024 to 2028, Prasetyo said here on Sunday.
Jayapura, Jubi – Psychiatrist Manoe Bernd Paul has expressed concerns about the detrimental effects of child marriage or marriage during adolescence on the mental health of children and its implications for future generations in Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua) Frits Ramandey emphasizes that Papua should be seen as a region prone to conflict rather than one in constant conflict. In areas prone to conflict, police discretion is exercised in handling conflict escalation.
On 28 February 2024, around 10:30 pm, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) command Yonif 330 reportedly shot down the two indigenous Papuans, Selli Maiseni, 17, and Mr Mikalon Yoani, 26, in Titigi Village
Sentani, Jubi – The traditional Papuan woven bag noken was officially recognized as a world heritage item on December 4, 2012, by UNESCO.
Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian government is intensifying its efforts to free Susi Air Pilot Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand national currently held captive by the TPNPB (West Papua National Liberation Army) separatist group.
Jakarta – Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Hadi Tjahjanto has met with three prominent figures from Nduga regency, Papua Highlands, to discuss the release of the New Zealand hostage and Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.
Jakarta – TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto formed the Habema Operations Command (Koops) to synergize operational patterns of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) in handling conflicts in several areas in Papua.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Ndugama Derakma Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has confirmed the death of one of its members in a shooting between TPNPB and security forces at Kali Brasa, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua Province, last Thursday (22/2/2024).
Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has stated that two teenagers detained by the Indonesian Military(TNI) and Police in Yahukimo Regency on February 22, 2024, are not members of the TPNPB. They declared that the two teenagers, MH (15) and BGE (15), are ordinary civilians who were apprehended while coincidentally crossing Kali Brasa.
Merauke, Jubi – Reports indicate that 68 residents in Asmat Regency, South Papua Province, were poisoned after consuming hundreds of bottles of adulterated alcoholic beverages on Friday (23/2/2024). Four people have died, seven are being treated at the Agats Regional General Hospital, and 57 others are undergoing outpatient treatment.
Merauke, Jubi – Sukardi Gau, the Head of the Papua Provincial Language Center has expressed concern over the trend among young speakers shifting to using Indonesian or Papua Malay, which poses a threat to the existence of indigenous languages in Papua towards the brink of extinction.
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated that several requests from Susi Air pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand national who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) since February 7, 2023, have been fulfilled and delivered. These requests included asthma medication, aromatherapy candles, and disinfectants.
Jayapura, Jubi – Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, the Head of Cartenz Peace Operation, has revealed that the negotiation process for the release of Susi Air pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held captive by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) since February 7, 2023, has been hindered by customary issues, as well as interference of other parties.
Antara, Jakarta – Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said that attempts to free the Susi Air pilot who was being held hostage by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) is a sensitive issue, and that foreign involvement must be reconsidered.
Sevianto Pakiding, Mimika – New Zealand Police Attache, Paul Laurence Borell, visited Mimika Regency in Central Papua, to oversee the progress of the ongoing efforts to secure the release of Susi Air pilot, Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens.
Hamish McDonald – After what appears to have been a decisive win by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in Indonesia's presidential election, many observers have been speculating about what kind of leader will emerge when he takes over from incumbent Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in October.
An Australian-based West Papua advocacy group has condemned the arrest and "humiliation" of two teenagers by Indonesian security forces last week.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) has urged the judge of the Manado State Administrative High Court to overturn the decision of the Jayapura State Administrative Court, which dismissed the lawsuit of the Awyu Tribe community.
Sentani, Jubi – Sentani is not only renowned for the beauty of its lakes but also for the Khombouw wood skin painting art from Asei Besar Village in East Sentani. These paintings are available at the Fansoway Art Gallery on KhalKote Street, East Sentani District, Jayapura Regency.
Waqas Arain – Imagine you're 15 again, the world is your playground, and your biggest worry is what game to play next. Now, imagine that abruptly ending as you find yourself in handcuffs, accused of being part of a violent incident far beyond the innocent games of childhood.
Aisyah Amira Wakang, Jakarta – The spokesperson of The National Liberation Army of West Papua – Free Papua Movement (TPNPB – OPM) Sebby Sambom claimed that the two people apprehended by joint state apparatus on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, are civilians. Both of them are 15-year-old teenagers, MH and BGE.
Antara, Jakarta – Papua Police Chief Ins. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated the investigators were examining the two students arrested during the gunfire between the authorities and the armed criminal group (KKB). The students were suspected of being the perpetrators of the shooting of the Wings Air plane at Nop Goliat Dekai Airport.
Bagus Pribadi and Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized that his country does not support the Free Papua Movement. Marles made the statement during a meeting with the Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Sevianto Pakiding, Papua Pegunungan – A joint operation conducted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police shot dead a member of an armed criminal group in the Kali Brasa area, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, on Thursday.
Jayapura, Jubi – Mama (mother) Anace Bongoibo, now in her elderly years, continues her dedication to cleaning up the waste in the Emereuw River Basin with unwavering patience.
Jayapura, Jubi – Research by four civil society institutions indicates that efforts to obscure information about Papua have spread to the social media platform TikTok.