Members of the Independent Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Papua (MAI-P) hold a peaceful demonstration in Sorong City, Southwest Papua Province, to mark International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Sunday (09/08/2026). – Jubi/Gamaliel M. Kaliele
Sorong, Jubi – The Independent Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Papua (MAI-P) in Sorong City, Southwest Papua Province, has rejected the government’s National Strategic Projects (PSN), the Sorong Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the creation of new autonomous regions (DOB), transmigration programs and the expansion of investment, saying these initiatives could further restrict Indigenous communities’ access to their customary lands and livelihoods.
MAI-P voiced its opposition during a peaceful demonstration in Sorong on Sunday (9 August 2026) to mark International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, held under the theme “Save Customary Lands and Papuan People.”
The group also called for the withdrawal of Indonesian military and police personnel from Papua, an end to armed conflict in civilian areas, protection for internally displaced people, the release of political prisoners, an end to the criminalisation of activists and journalists, and unrestricted access for independent human rights monitors to assess conditions in Papua.
MAI-P action coordinator Andre Nauw said the seizure and appropriation of customary land was one of the most fundamental issues requiring government attention.
He said customary land was not merely an economic asset but the foundation of
Indigenous communities’ livelihoods, food systems, culture, history, knowledge and
future generations.
MAI-P rejects development projects that could take over or change the use of customary land without the consent of Indigenous communities.
The group specifically rejected PSN projects in Merauke, South Papua Province, and elsewhere across Papua. It also opposed the development of the Sorong SEZ and called on the government to halt plans to clear 98,824.97 hectares of customary forest in Southwest Papua for PSN related development.
“MAI-P also rejects the proposed construction of the Warsamson River Dam in Sorong Regency,” Nauw said.
The group also criticised the expansion of investment in mining, forestry, plantations, oil and gas, and other natural-resource industries.
Meanwhile, MAI-P national executive chair Ardhy Murib said Papua must not be treated as an empty space available for development projects without considering Indigenous communities.
“Papua is not an empty space. This land is home to people and Indigenous communities. It carries history, languages, cultures, forests and life,” Murib said.
He said any policy affecting customary land must recognise Indigenous communities and their rights to their traditional territories.
MAI-P therefore rejected transmigration policies, which it said could marginalise Indigenous Papuans on their own customary lands. It also opposed the Red-and- White Cooperatives program unless it is implemented with the free consent of Papuan communities.
The group called for national and international journalists, human rights defenders and the UN Human Rights Council to be granted broad access to monitor, report on and independently investigate alleged human rights violations in Papua.
During the demonstration, MAI-P presented 24 demands, including opposition to National Strategic Projects in Merauke and throughout Papua, and support for Indigenous communities defending their customary lands and forests against appropriation for investment.
The group called for the cessation of operations by PT Freeport Indonesia, BP-LNG, development of the Wabu Block, and other major coal, gold, gas and nickel mining companies. It also called for the repeal of Papua’s Special Autonomy policy.
MAI-P rejected the development of the Sorong SEZ and demanded that the planned clearing of 98,824.97 hectares of customary forest in Southwest Papua be halted.
It also rejected the Omnibus Law and called for the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Bill, while opposing the Red-and-White Cooperatives program unless it involves the free consent of Papuan communities.
The group rejected the creation of new autonomous regions throughout Papua and
opposed transmigration policies that it said could marginalise Indigenous Papuans.
MAI-P also called for the withdrawal of organic and non-organic military forces from
Papua and rejected plans to establish new police, military and territorial infantry units.
Among its other demands were opposition to the planned Territorial Development Infantry Battalion 858 and a proposed spaceport on Biak Island, as well as the proposed Warsamson River Dam in Sorong Regency. The group called for Karel Fatem to be spared the death penalty and demanded the release of all West Papuan political prisoners.
It also called for an end to intimidation, criminalisation and repression of human rights defenders, journalists, students and Papuan political activists.
MAI-P demanded an end to armed conflict between the Indonesian military and police (TNI/Polri) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in civilian areas and displacement sites, as well as an end to impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations.
It called for alleged perpetrators of serious human rights violations in Papua to be
investigated, arrested and prosecuted through fair and transparent legal proceedings.
The group also demanded a permanent halt to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program throughout Papua and supported the development of dedicated markets for
Papuan women.
MAI-P called for protection and basic assistance for 122,135 internally displaced people, unrestricted access for national and international journalists, human rights defenders and the UN Human Rights Council to conduct independent monitoring and investigations, and recognition of the right to self-determination of Indigenous
Papuans.
After delivering their demands and statements, the MAI-P demonstrators ended the protest at around 6 p.m. local time and dispersed peacefully. (*)
Wamena, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and Indigenouscommunities from the Lapago customary region marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples at the KNPB Balim secretariat in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Highlands Province, on Sunday (9 August 2026).
The gathering also served as a consolidation and mobilisation meeting ahead of a planned peaceful demonstration in Jayawijaya on 15 August 2026.
KNPB Balim chair Mardi Hiluka said the group and Indigenous communities across Lapago were marking the international day because they consider themselves part of the world’s Indigenous peoples.
He criticised Indonesia’s integration of Papua into the country through the 1969 Act of Free Choice (PEPERA) and what he described as the 1962 New York Agreement, saying the process has had lasting consequences for Papuans.
“Today, West Papuans continue to face oppression and injustice, with many becoming internally displaced on their own ancestral land,” Hiluka said during the commemoration.
He said the KNPB was protesting the Indonesian government, Dutch imperialism and American capitalism, which he accused of maintaining control over Papua for global economic interests through the New York Agreement.
“This is part of our mass consolidation ahead of the peaceful demonstration on 15 August 2026, rejecting the political history surrounding the New York Agreement,” he said.
Meanwhile, KNPB chairman Agus Kossay said 9 August was established internationally as a day recognising Indigenous peoples around the world, including Indigenous Papuans.
“This international covenant recognises that Indigenous peoples existed before the
modern world, with their own customary lands, territories, forests and natural resources. This includes the Papuan people on this land,” Kossay said.
He said Indonesia, as a member of the United Nations, should respect and protect Indigenous Papuans in accordance with international agreements recognising Indigenous peoples.
Kossay said the KNPB and Papuan communities in Lapago had gathered at the KNPB Balim secretariat because the international day provides an opportunity to highlight the rights of Indigenous peoples.
He accused the Indonesian government of accelerating the exploitation of natural resources across Papua, from Sorong to Merauke, and said Indigenous communities faced increasing threats from land appropriation and large-scale development projects.
He cited National Strategic Projects (PSN), the Freeport gold mine in Mimika, the Wabu Block, nickel mining, oil and gas projects and other natural-resource developments as examples.
Kossay also referred to recent statements by President Prabowo Subianto and his cabinet regarding what they described as one of the country’s largest gold deposits in Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.
He accused the government of mapping the area and pursuing development on customary land without the consent of Indigenous communities.
The KNPB said Indigenous peoples in Papua are protected under international agreements and called on Indonesia to respect their rights. It also rejected development projects undertaken by the Indonesian government in Papua without
community consent.
The organisation specifically rejected all National Strategic Projects on Papuan land that proceed without the approval of local communities.
As part of its commemoration on 9 August, the KNPB called on its supporters to occupy and consolidate in the Lapago customary region of Papua Highlands Province.
The KNPB central leadership said it was prepared to take responsibility for the activities, including mass consolidation and mobilisation, which it described as a humanitarian effort to raise concerns about alleged human rights violations,
customary land appropriation and civilian deaths amid the armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and Indonesian military and police forces.
The KNPB said it stood with Papuan communities and urged Jakarta to open space
for peaceful dialogue and negotiations to address the political conflict in Papua.
It argued that the Papua conflict could not be resolved through military deployments
or the exploitation of natural resources.
The KNPB called on the Papua Highlands provincial government, Papua Highlands
legislature, Papua Highlands People’s Assembly, Jayawijaya military commander and Jayawijaya police chief to allow the planned peaceful demonstration on 15 August 2026.
The protest is intended to raise concerns over what the KNPB describes as a humanitarian crisis and military violence in Papua. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan journalist Angela Flassy has received the 2026 SK Trimurti Award from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia for her more than two decades of work promoting independent journalism, human rights and the voices of marginalised communities in Papua.
The award was presented during a reception marking AJI Indonesia’s 32nd anniversary, held under the theme “Surviving, Speaking Out, Creating” at the Press Council Hall in Jakarta on Friday evening (7 August 2026).
The award’s three-member jury comprised Armayanti Sanusi, a women’s rights
activist and chair of the National Executive Board of Solidaritas Perempuan; Siti Aminah Tardi, a human rights lawyer and executive director of the Indonesian Legal Resource Center (ILRC) and former commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women; and Rachmawati, a member of AJI Indonesia’s Sexual
Violence Task Force with more than a decade of experience in journalism and media advocacy.
The jury selected Flassy following a series of assessments, including a review of nominations, her professional record, activism networks, publications, public impact and the sustainability of the causes she has championed.
The jury said Flassy had demonstrated a consistent commitment to independent
journalism and reporting on behalf of marginalised communities, while contributing to
the advancement of democracy and human rights throughout more than 20 years in the profession.
Her work, the jury said, reflects the values associated with SK Trimurti: the courage
to speak truth to power, standing with ordinary people and using journalism as a tool for social justice.
Flassy is a Papuan journalist, writer, editor, media literacy educator and documentary filmmaker. For more than two decades, she has worked to bring stories from communities that have often remained on the margins of public discourse into the media.
As a former editor-in-chief of Suara Perempuan Papua and Jubi.id, she has consistently highlighted issues affecting Papuan women, despite the challenges of reporting on women’s rights in a region where broader concerns over basic rights, marginalisation, discrimination and repression often dominate public attention.
“As a result, there is very little coverage of women’s issues in the media. They are often treated as though they don’t exist,” Flassy said in a video message played during AJI’s 32nd anniversary celebration on Friday evening.
She said the award belonged not only to her but to thousands of activists, particularly
women across Papua and Indonesia, who continue to speak up for people who are marginalised, discriminated against, repressed or treated as minorities.
“I have learned so much from them. One thing I have learned is that courage does not always mean speaking loudly. Sometimes courage means choosing not to give up and continuing to work persistently along this path,” Flassy said.
Two Decades of Human Rights Journalism
Flassy began her journalism career in 2004, making issues affecting women, Indigenous communities, human rights, social conflict, culture and everyday life in Papua central to her reporting.
Her commitment to marginalised communities was particularly evident when she became editor-in-chief of Suara Perempuan Papua in 2010, a publication that provided space for the experiences and perspectives of Papuan women who were rarely represented in mainstream media.
In 2018, she became editor-in-chief of Jubi.id, an independent media organisation known for its critical coverage of Papua and its focus on public-interest journalism.
“Amid a situation in Papua marked by conflict, violence and restrictions on civic space, Angela has continued to practise journalism grounded in courage, empathy and respect for human dignity,” said jury member Armayanti Sanusi.
Jury member Siti Aminah Tardi said Flassy had consistently advocated for press freedom, the public’s right to information and gender equality through her journalistic work in Papua.
Her reporting has highlighted the experiences of Papuan women, Indigenous communities, freedom of expression, press freedom, environmental justice and the impact of conflict on civilians.
Through her journalism, Flassy has brought a human rights perspective to stories by connecting people’s lived experiences with structural issues including inequality, discrimination and violence.
The jury described her as one of the Papuan journalists who has successfully developed a practice of human rights journalism grounded in integrity, courage and solidarity with marginalised communities.
“For her commitment, consistency, professionalism and contribution to advancing
journalism rooted in justice and humanity, I believe Angela Flassy is highly deserving
of the SK Trimurti Award,” Tardi said.
Rachmawati said Flassy’s work as a Papuan woman journalist, writer and filmmaker had placed her in a particularly vulnerable position amid the conflict in Papua.
She has nevertheless continued to document the social and cultural realities of Papua that are often overlooked by mainstream media.
Flassy has also trained women’s groups in Lapua in content production, helping generate more local narratives told directly from the perspectives of Papuan communities.
“It is this dedication and quiet work with a tangible impact that makes Angela Flassy
deserving of the SK Trimurti Award from AJI Indonesia,” Rachmawati said.
Flassy’s journalism has documented the experiences of Papuan women affected by
displacement, loss of their living spaces, environmental destruction and threats to
cultural identity.
Her work demonstrates how journalism can serve as a form of advocacy for communities whose voices are frequently overlooked.
Flassy has also expanded her storytelling through documentary filmmaking, including work with Jubi on several documentary projects. One of them, Suara Lembah Grime (2023), documented the lives of Papuan communities, their relationship with customary land and the social challenges they face.
The use of audiovisual storytelling, the jury said, has expanded the reach of information about Papua while strengthening documentation of the experiences of Indigenous communities and other vulnerable groups.
As a writer, Flassy published the book Luka Papua: HIV, Otonomi Khusus (Special Autonomy), dan Perang Suku (tribal war – 2008), examining complex issues in Papua through a journalistic and social lens.
Her short-story collection Kitorang (2012) reflects her commitment to local identity, using Papuan Malay and presenting the lived experiences of Papuan communities from an Indigenous perspective.
Her contribution also extends beyond producing media. Flassy has taught creative writing, journalism and media literacy to women and young people in Papua.
Through training and mentorship, she has helped develop the next generation of local journalists while expanding women’s access to opportunities to produce knowledge and information.
“Her role as an educator shows that journalism is not merely a profession, but also a means of empowering communities,” Armayanti said. (*)
4) Mass food poisoning linked to government nutrition programme affects 543 people in Jayapura Regency
Evidence of food-safety failures and official investigation
Community and civil society response
Background
Human rights analysis
Situation in healthcare facilities in Jayapura following the mass food poisining incident in Depapre District on 4 August 2026
Document ID: HRM-CAS-110-2026
Location: Depapre, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-2.4624962, 140.3668623)
Total number of victims: 543
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 543 | mixed | unknown | Indigenous Peoples, Student | right to food, right to health |
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Government > Public Health Services
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children
Indonesia's security forces have launched an operation to pursue a splinter group of independence fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army that killed road construction workers in the territory's highlands.
The five Indonesian men were working at a remote camp in the Highland Papua province. The separatist rebels have claimed the workers were gathering intelligence on behalf of the Jakarta government.
The latest casualties from the conflict come amid ongoing reports the deepening battle between the pro-independence Papuan movement and Indonesian forces is causing mass displacement among the Indigenous village communities in the surrounding areas.
The West Papua National Liberation Army confirmed the group killed the Indonesian workers at their camp in Tolikara regency, alleging the men were Indonesian agents disguised as construction workers.
Indonesian authorities blamed an "armed criminal group" - its common label for the West Papua National Liberation Army - for the killings, adding that the bodies of four of the five victims have been recovered amid police and military forces beginning their hunt for the perpetrators.
The deaths are the latest of a spate of attacks that has intensified across the West Papuan territory in recent times.
The West Papua National Liberation Army fatally shot American pilot Nicholas Goselin last month after he landed a small commercial aircraft in Yahukimo regency in the volatile province.
The militant wing for the Indigenous West Papua sovereignty movement alleged the pilot was transporting Indonesian military personnel, a claim the owners of the aircraft, Associated Mission Aviation, vigorously rejected
That incident followed a similar attack on New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens in 2023 where he was taken hostage for 18 months by soldiers of the West Papua National Liberation Army after landing a small plane in the Nduga regency of the same province.
In April 2025, 16 Indonesians the West Papua National Liberation Army described as illegal gold miners were shot dead by Indigenous Papuans in Yahukimo.
After warning outsiders not to enter what it described as a war zone, the West Papua National Liberation Army reiterated in another statement a warning to Indonesians to leave the highland regions altogether.
"All Indonesian government military intelligence agents and Indonesian immigrants working as motorcycle taxi drivers, construction workers, health workers, teachers, and civil servants must immediately cease their activities in the West Papua National Liberation Army operational area in Tolikara," the statement said.
The West Papua National Liberation Army has also not baulked at killing ethnic Papuans accused of espionage. One week before the attack on the construction workers, it accused three West Papuans of being traitors, alleging the two men and one woman were intelligence agents for the Indonesian military.
According to Human Rights Monitor, the response from Indonesia's security forces to the cycle of violence reportedly displaced hundreds of Papuans including children, pregnant women and the elderly; forced to flee into nearby forests from their homes out of fear.
The independent, non-profit human-rights monitoring and advocacy project also reported their local sources on the ground have alleged the Indonesian security forces attacked villages by using ground troops, helicopters and drones.
Human Rights Monitor has calculated that to the end of June this year around 126,000 civilians across multiple Papuan regencies have remained internally displaced from the Indonesian military operations and the related armed conflict.
