2) Christian Forum Calls for Humanitarian Dialogue Amid Escalating Conflict in Papua
Jayapura, Jubi – The United Papuan Women’s Forum says the Indonesian government is failing to protect women and children in Papua, citing a surge in violence and marginalization over the past six months.
The forum called on the government to guarantee the right to life and security for Papuan women and children, while also urging an end to the militarization of Papua.
According to the forum, Indonesian security forces have in recent months unlawfully arrested, tortured, shot, and killed Papuan women and children, leaving them with no safe spaces.
The group documented at least nine cases of violence against women and children across Papua between April and July 2026.
Among them was the death of Yulita Pigai, a 70-year-old woman with a disability, who was fatally shot in the abdomen while inside her kitchen in Ikebo Village, Kamuu District, Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua, on March 31.
The forum also cited a military operation in several villages in Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on April 14, which allegedly left several women and children dead or injured.
Those killed included Amer Walia, 77, and Para Walia, a three-year-old child. Those wounded included Onde Walia, 5, Aliko Walia, 8, and Anite Kogoya/Telenggen, a 30-year-old pregnant woman who suffered a gunshot wound.
The forum further alleged that Indonesian soldiers fatally shot two women in separate incidents in Puncak Regency on May 2 and 3. Tarling Wanimbo, 20, was reportedly gathering vegetables near her garden in Eronggobak Village, while Naena Murib, 31, was working in her garden in Omukia District.
It also cited the death of Nelly Wenda, 30, who was allegedly struck and killed by a police vehicle in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on May 3.
Another case involved Nalince Wamang, a 17-year-old high school student who was allegedly shot dead by soldiers at a gold mining site in Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on May 7.
On June 7, Penti Weya, 18, was killed after stepping on what the forum described as an explosive device allegedly planted by the military during an operation in Wunapunggu Village, Melagi District, Lanny Jaya Regency.
The forum also reported that Oktovina Hogajau, 9, and Aliana Pogau, 40, were injured in an explosion involving another device allegedly planted by the military during an operation in Danggoa Village, Agisiga District, Intan Jaya Regency, on June 18.
In another incident, the forum alleged that indiscriminate gunfire by Indonesian soldiers struck Melkiana Duwitau, 31, who was heavily pregnant and asleep at her home in Sugapa, Intan Jaya, on July 2, killing her.
Doctors at Intan Jaya Regional Hospital managed to perform an emergency operation to deliver her baby, but the infant also died.
“These incidents add to the long list of violence against Papuan women and children since 1961, including the ongoing internal displacement across Papua,” the forum said in a statement released on Friday.
The forum said women and children displaced by armed conflict in Nduga, Puncak, Intan Jaya, Pegunungan Bintang, and Mimika continue to face dire humanitarian conditions.
In Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua, it said military posts operated by the Indonesian Marine Corps’ Infantry Battalion 10 have been established across East Aifat Raya and South Aifat districts, making it increasingly difficult for women to access gardens, customary forests, and traditional food sources.
The group said women and children make up the majority of internally displaced people in Papua, many of whom are forced to survive without adequate access to basic services.
It said many displaced people have died from illness and malnutrition, while others have been left without access to education.
According to the forum, the violence has caused lasting trauma and threatens the long-term survival of Indigenous Papuans.
It also argued that the situation has been compounded by large-scale national development projects, which it said exploit natural resources while depriving Indigenous communities of their customary lands.
In southern Papua, the forum said women in Merauke, Boven Digoel, and Mappi have lost farmland and food sources as a result of the government’s National Strategic Projects (PSN), which it said are being implemented with the backing of security forces.
The group also criticized plans by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to build a satellite launch facility in Korem Village, North Biak District, Papua, saying the project proceeded without consulting the Indigenous Warbon community.
It warned the project threatens productive land, displaces communities dependent on farming and fishing, particularly women, and risks triggering disputes over customary land boundaries.
The forum also pointed to an increase in military deployments in Mamberamo Raya Regency during June, alleging soldiers occupied schools and village offices without community consent and converted them into military posts.
It said the growing military presence has retraumatized residents who experienced violence during previous military operations in Papua.
The United Papuan Women’s Forum said the deaths of women and children, the loss of livelihoods, and the expansion of National Strategic Projects demonstrate the state’s failure to uphold the rights to life and security of Indigenous Papuans.
It argued the situation reflects an increasingly militarized approach to Papua and a culture of impunity in which alleged human rights violations go unpunished.
The forum said the continued loss of life and insecurity show that the dignity of Papuan women and the future of the next generation are not being respected by the state.
The forum rejected what it described as militaristic policies, the exploitation of Papua’s natural resources, and development projects that threaten the lives of Indigenous Papuan women and children.
It called on the government to uphold and protect the rights to life and security of Indigenous Papuan women and children, urged President Prabowo Subianto to prioritize peaceful dialogue, review security policies, and withdraw non-organic military forces from Papua, arguing that the current approach fuels conflict and endangers civilians.
The forum also urged Indonesia’s National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to investigate the killing of Melkiana Duwitau and other cases of violence against civilians, particularly women and children.
It further called on governors, regents, mayors, provincial and district legislatures across Papua to adopt concrete policies protecting the rights of women and children, and urged the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) and the Special Autonomy regional legislatures (DPRK Otsus) to summon the Indonesian military and police to explain what it described as excessive security policies in Papua and to take steps to safeguard the fundamental rights of Indigenous Papuans. (*)
2) Christian Forum Calls for Humanitarian Dialogue Amid Escalating Conflict in Papua
Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian Christian Forum (FUKRI) has issued a statement expressing concern over the armed conflict in Papua, saying the prolonged violence has evolved into a structural humanitarian crisis and urging the government to prioritize dialogue over military measures.
The forum, which comprises Indonesia’s major Christian denominations—including the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), the Communion of Pentecostal Churches in Indonesia (PGPI), the Communion of Evangelical Churches and Institutions in Indonesia (PGLII), the Indonesian Baptist Fellowship (PBI), the Salvation Army, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Indonesian Orthodox Church—said decades after Papua’s integration into Indonesia, the region continues to suffer from unresolved humanitarian wounds.
According to FUKRI, the armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed lives from all sides, including Indigenous Papuans, non-Papuan civilians, security personnel, and others caught in the violence.
The forum said women, children, religious leaders, healthcare workers, teachers, farmers, and Indigenous communities remain the groups most vulnerable to the conflict.
“The recent tragedies in Intan Jaya and other conflict-affected areas demonstrate that Papua’s humanitarian crisis is no longer incidental, but a recurring structural crisis without a dignified resolution,” FUKRI said in a statement received by Jubi on Thursday.
The forum said reports indicate that women—including pregnant women—and other civilians face heightened risks amid ongoing violence and displacement.
At the same time, it said the government continues to strengthen its security approach through the deployment of additional non-organic military units, the construction of new defence facilities, and increased security personnel in connection with national strategic development projects.
FUKRI questioned whether the expanding security presence addresses the needs of Indigenous Papuans or instead deepens fear, mistrust, and suffering among civilians.
“True security grows out of justice, respect for human dignity, protection of citizens’ rights, and a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue,” the statement said.
The forum said its position is rooted not only in Christian faith but also in Indonesia’s constitutional commitment to protect all citizens. It cited Articles 28A and 28I of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantee the right to life as a fundamental, non-derogable human right.
According to FUKRI, all state policies—including security policies in Papua—should be measured by whether they protect human life and dignity.
The forum expressed deep concern over what it described as an unending humanitarian crisis in Papua, stressing that lasting peace can only be built on truth, justice, love, and freedom.
“We grieve that the conflict in Papua has continued to claim lives for decades,” the statement said.
“Every victim—whether an Indigenous Papuan, migrant resident, member of the security forces, or anyone else—is a fellow human being created in the image of God. No political or security objective can justify the loss of human dignity and life.”
FUKRI called on all armed parties, including state security forces and non-state armed groups, to immediately cease violence and place the safety of civilians above all other interests.
The forum also urged the Indonesian government to conduct a comprehensive review of its security approach in Papua, arguing that decades of military-dominated policies have failed to deliver a just and lasting peace.
Instead, it said, such policies have contributed to repeated displacement, social trauma, fear, and cycles of violence.
FUKRI noted that similar concerns have been raised by Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), which has also called for an evaluation of security policies in Papua.
The forum said public welfare should not be measured by an increased security presence, but by improvements in education, healthcare, protection of Indigenous rights, respect for customary land ownership, equitable economic opportunities, and the ability of civilians to live safely.
“The success of governance should be measured not by stronger security forces, but by reduced suffering, the realization of a just and civilized humanity, and social justice for all Indonesians,” the statement said.
FUKRI urged the government to make humanitarian assistance and support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) its highest priority.
It said thousands of civilians remain displaced across Papua, many without adequate access to food, education, healthcare, protection, or pastoral care.
Women, children, people with disabilities, and older persons are among those most affected.
The forum questioned why these vulnerable communities continue to receive insufficient attention while security measures continue to expand.
“The state has a constitutional obligation to protect all citizens, especially those in the most vulnerable situations,” it said.
FUKRI reaffirmed that humanitarian dialogue remains the most dignified path toward resolving the conflict in Papua.
For years, churches in Papua and across Indonesia, alongside Indigenous leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives, academics, and civil society organizations, have consistently advocated for an inclusive and meaningful dialogue, it said.
However, those calls have yet to be adequately reflected in government policy.
The forum argued that dialogue should not be viewed as a sign of weakness but as an expression of democratic maturity.
“It is the courage to listen to painful experiences, acknowledge reality, rebuild trust, and seek solutions that respect the dignity of all parties,” the statement said
FUKRI also urged President Prabowo Subianto and all relevant stakeholders to place the protection of human life at the centre of every policy concerning Papua.
It said the Church stands not with violence, but with life—particularly with victims, displaced people, women and children, Indigenous communities, and families who have lost loved ones.
The forum encouraged churches throughout Indonesia to strengthen humanitarian services in Papua, including healthcare, pastoral assistance, trauma healing, peace education, reconciliation efforts, community empowerment, and support for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
It also called on the government to ensure churches can carry out humanitarian work without fear or stigma.
According to FUKRI, humanitarian services provided by churches should not be viewed as support for any particular group or associated with separatism.
Instead, the state should facilitate and protect the Church’s humanitarian mission as part of broader efforts to restore human dignity, rebuild public trust, and foster a just and lasting peace in Papua.
“We invite churches throughout Indonesia to continue praying for Papua and for the nation, that God will open a path to peace and grant wisdom to national leaders to prioritize justice, humanity, and dialogue in addressing the challenges in Papua,” FUKRI said. (*)
Church bodies have appealed to the Indonesian government to abandon its security-heavy response to Papua and prioritize the protection of civilians in addressing the long-running conflict in the region.
The Indonesian Christian Community Forum, or FUKRI, issued the appeal at a media gathering in Jakarta on July 16, warning that more than 100,000 civilians remain displaced across Papua with limited access to food, education, health care, protection and pastoral services.
The coalition includes the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, the Protestant Communion of Churches in Indonesia, and also Evangelical, Pentecostal, Baptist, Adventist and Orthodox church bodies.
The Forum said the state has deepened its security approach through additional non-organic military deployments, new defense facilities and the use of security personnel in strategic national projects.
The policy, it said, raises a fundamental question: “Whether an increasingly dominant security approach truly answers the main needs of Indigenous Papuans, or instead prolongs fear, mistrust and civilian suffering?”
It said churches, Indigenous leaders, women leaders, youth, academics and civil society groups have long called for inclusive dialogue but have not been given adequate space in state policy.
"Dialogue is not a sign of state weakness, but a sign of democratic maturity. Dialogue is the courage to listen to wounds, a space to acknowledge each other's realities, build trust, and seek a way out that respects the dignity of all parties," the Forum said.
Indonesia's Human Rights Ministry said on July 7 that about 122,000 Papuans had been internally displaced, while Human Rights Monitor reported more than 123,931 by late June.
The National Human Rights Commission separately reported that 42 incidents of armed violence were recorded between January and June this year, killing 59 people, most of them civilians.
Reverend Jacklevyn Fritz Manuputty, chair of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, said the church's voice for Papua is humanitarian.
Cypri Jehan Paju Dale, an anthropologist who has researched Papua for two decades, said he welcomed the criticism of military operations, but the churches have not yet touched on the core issue.
“We all know that Indonesia's military operations in Papua are carried out in areas designated as mining concessions in Papua Highlands, as also in plantation concession areas, such as in South Papua and Southwest Papua,” he said.
Dale directed Pig Feast: Colonialism of Our Time, a documentary that recently drew national and international attention for exposing military involvement in Papua that is affecting the lives of Indigenous peoples.
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai did not respond to UCA News' request for comment.
A prolonged military operation in Papua's highland region has displaced more than 120,000 residents of Nduga regency since 2018. Displaced families live without adequate food, shelter, healthcare, or legal identity, while central and local governments have failed to provide meaningful assistance.
West Papua Police's Director of Special Criminal Investigation Senior Commissioner Darma Suwandito said investigators are pursuing a suspect identified as F, also known as Fajar, following the operation at the illegal mine in the Wasirawi River, Masni Subdistrict.
"We will continue the investigation to locate F, also known as Fajar, who is believed to be the financier behind the illegal mining operation," Darma said.
He said a joint task force carried out the operation over three days, from Tuesday through Thursday, at the mining site in Manokwari District.
The team, comprising the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate, the Orion Special Team, the Mobile Brigade Corps and a special crimes unit, departed the West Papua Police Mobile Brigade headquarters early on Tuesday.
After arriving at the site, officers found two workers' camps that were still operating and began monitoring activities before launching enforcement measures.
On Wednesday evening, officers arrested six workers, including a supervisor, and seized two excavators believed to have been used in the mining operation.
The team later discovered four additional excavators allegedly hidden near the site, bringing the total number of heavy machines seized during the operation to six.
"The suspects have been taken to West Papua Police headquarters for further questioning, while the excavators are being transported from the mining site," Darma said.
Police also seized 28.2 grams of gold, three bottles containing mercury, two mixing devices, three weighing scales, a water pump, hoses, burning equipment, carpets and gold-panning tools.
Those arrested were identified by their initials as JS, a supervisor; EW, an excavator operator; R, I and J, cashiers; and ML, a cook.
Police believe seven other suspects fled the site, including Fajar, who investigators allege financed the illegal mining activities.
Darma said the operation appeared to be organized on a large scale, adding that efforts to hide the excavators suggested information about the planned raid may have been leaked.
West Papua Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Trihadi Kuncahyo warned that mercury used in gold processing could contaminate rivers and damage surrounding ecosystems.
He said the operation reflected police commitment to combating illegal mining, which harms the environment and causes financial losses to the state.
"We urge the public not to engage in illegal mining because it damages the environment, harms the state and carries criminal penalties under Indonesia's Mineral and Coal Mining Law," Trihadi said.
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Editor: Primayanti
