Jayapura, Jubi – Foreign journalists seeking to report on events in Papua continue to face significant restrictions, with authorities detaining a Russian national after he was allegedly found recording a demonstration in Wamena.
Six Japanese journalists from Kyodo News were previously detained in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Highlands Province, while producing a documentary about the Mamuna and Korowai communities in southeastern Papua.
The journalists were subsequently required to leave Wamena and return to Japan.
In another case, Polish national Jakub Fabian Skrzypski was arrested in Wamena on August 28, 2018. He was charged under Article 106 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, which concerns treason, and was sentenced to five years in prison by the Wamena District Court on May 2, 2019.
Skrzypski’s lawyer, Latifah Anum Siregar, rejected the allegations, saying her client was simply a tourist travelling privately. She subsequently appealed the court’s decision.
Skrzypski ultimately served his sentence in Jayapura, Papua Province.
The latest case involves a 39-year-old Russian national, identified by the initials AP, who was detained after allegedly recording a demonstration organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Wamena on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Indonesian immigration authorities said the activity was inconsistent with the purpose of the tourist visa he was travelling on.
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said authorities would not ignore activities by foreign nationals that could breach immigration rules or disrupt public order.
“Indonesia is open to international tourists, but there are rules that must be respected. When someone enters the country as a tourist, their activities must be consistent with the permit they have been granted,” Mr Marantoko said.
“If there are indications of misuse of a residence permit or activities that could threaten security and public order, Immigration will take action,” he said.
Immigration records show AP entered Indonesia through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on July 3, 2026, using a visitor visa valid until August 31.
Further investigations found that this was not AP’s first trip to Papua. Immigration records indicate he had visited the region about 10 times, with the frequency of his visits increasing between 2024 and 2026.
AP told officers he was interested in Papua’s natural environment and culture and had developed several local contacts during previous visits.
During his latest trip, he said he initially intended to travel to several areas of Papua, including the Korowai region and Wamena.
However, authorities became interested after AP admitted he was in Wamena on August 15 to take photographs and record video of a KNPB demonstration.
He reportedly planned to use the footage as content for his social media accounts, including Instagram and YouTube.
His presence at the demonstration also appeared in social media posts promoting a narrative of international attention towards the protest in Wamena.
Immigration officers said they also found files on AP’s electronic devices containing an offer for a photo and video production contract addressed to him. AP acknowledged he was aware of the offer.
Authorities are now investigating AP’s activities, including his travel history, the people he met, places he visited and the documentary material and digital content he produced and published.
“We are working on the basis of facts and evidence. We are reconstructing all of his activities and comparing them with the residence permit he holds,” Mr Marantoko said.
“The principle is clear: foreigners are welcome to come to Indonesia, but they must comply with Indonesian law.”
Immigration authorities are investigating possible violations of Article 122(a) of Indonesia’s Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011. The provision covers the misuse of residence permits or activities that are inconsistent with the purpose of a person’s entry into Indonesia.
AP is currently being held in an immigration detention facility while authorities conduct further investigations.
Officials said they were continuing to gather evidence and coordinate with other government agencies before deciding on further legal or immigration action.
“Immigration is the country’s gateway. We welcome foreigners who come with good intentions and comply with the rules, but we must also ensure that residence permits are not used for activities that harm Indonesia’s interests,” Mr Marantoko said.
Russia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, said the Russian embassy was leaving the legal process concerning the detention of its citizen to Indonesian authorities.
Speaking at a media briefing in Jakarta, Mr Tolchenov confirmed the embassy was aware of the incident and was seeking clarification about the circumstances surrounding the detention.
“As I understand it, he is simply a travel blogger. So, he is a tourist visiting Indonesia, including Papua. By coincidence, he saw an event taking place in Papua and tried to record it, which then resulted in his detention,” Mr Tolchenov said, according to Indonesia’s Antara news agency.
He said the man was not a journalist and did not have authorisation from local authorities to undertake journalistic activities or professional filming.
“Therefore, there is a strong possibility that our citizen has violated the regulations in force in Indonesia,” he said.
Mr Tolchenov said the embassy would leave it to Indonesian immigration authorities to determine what action should be taken, including whether his visa should be cancelled or whether he should be deported.
“We will leave it to the Indonesian authorities to inform us about the reasons and evidence they have regarding the man’s detention and what decision they will make,” he said.
The Russian embassy would nevertheless continue coordinating with Indonesian authorities to ensure the man’s rights were protected.
“Of course, we will monitor his situation, where he is being detained, his health and so on. We will try to protect him within the capacity available to us,” Mr Tolchenov said.
He also urged Russian nationals in Indonesia to comply with local laws, particularly rules governing the purpose of their visit and the visa they hold.
Foreign journalists seeking to report from Papua must undergo coordination with several Indonesian government and security agencies, with authorities maintaining close oversight of foreign media operating in the region.
One of the mechanisms is known as the Clearing House, an inter-agency approval process involving institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, the police and the State Intelligence Agency.
Critics have argued that the process can delay or restrict journalists’ ability to report freely from Papua.
Foreign journalists have also faced administrative and visa-related difficulties, including questions over whether they are using tourist visas rather than specific visas or permits for journalistic work.
In February 2018, British BBC journalist Rebecca Henschke was expelled from Asmat Regency, Papua, following a social media post about the government’s response to an outbreak in the region.
The six Japanese journalists working on a documentary in Wamena also faced detention and were subsequently required to leave the area.
The Indonesian government has previously denied that Papua is closed to foreign journalists.
Retno Marsudi, who served as Indonesia’s foreign minister under President Joko Widodo, said the government had never prohibited foreign journalists from reporting in Papua.
She cited government figures on applications for permission to report in the region.
In 2012, Ms Marsudi said the Foreign Ministry received 11 applications from foreign media organisations seeking permission to report in Papua. Five applications were approved, while six were rejected. (*)
Vanuatu will push for stronger regional attention on West Papua and New Caledonia as Pacific leaders gather in Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.
Minister of Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu is representing Vanuatu at the meeting, which officially begins today in Koror and runs until 4 September.
Mr Regenvanu says the two Melanesian issues will be among Vanuatu’s key priorities during discussions with Pacific leaders.
On West Papua, Vanuatu wants the issue to return to the Pacific Islands Forum agenda after it was not discussed during last month’s Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji.
He says Vanuatu will work with its Melanesian Spearhead Group partners to agree on a position and push for the Forum to continue discussions on the human rights situation affecting Melanesian communities in West Papua.
On New Caledonia, Vanuatu is seeking strong regional support for the territory’s decolonisation process.
The President of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, or FLNKS, Christian Tein, is also in Palau as part of the Vanuatu delegation.
Mr Regenvanu says Vanuatu will work to secure a strong resolution on New Caledonia and encourage Pacific leaders to support the territory’s decolonisation within the Pacific Islands Forum.
Climate change and development financing
Climate change will also feature prominently in Vanuatu’s agenda at the Forum.
Mr Regenvanu says climate change remains one of the biggest threats facing Pacific island countries and Vanuatu will seek stronger commitments on climate action.
The discussions will also look ahead to the Pre-COP meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu in early October, where Pacific countries will seek to encourage countries from outside the region to engage with Pacific priorities.
Vanuatu will use the Forum to seek greater financial support for climate adaptation, infrastructure, education and health projects.
Mr Regenvanu says meetings with development partners and donors will be an important part of the week, including discussions with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other partners.
Strengthening international partnerships
As head of Vanuatu’s delegation, Mr Regenvanu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with a range of international partners.
These include representatives from New Zealand, Australia and China, as well as European countries, France, Canada and Germany.
The discussions will focus on strengthening relationships, development projects and ensuring Vanuatu continues to benefit from support provided through its international partnerships.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting brings Pacific leaders and representatives together from 31 August to 4 September to discuss regional priorities and challenges.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian environmental organisation Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (WALHI) Papua has compiled data on forest and land fires across Papua between 2023 and 2026.
WALHI Papua recorded 564 hotspots across West Papua, South Papua and Central Papua between August 1 and 13, 2023. The hotspots were spread across 10 regencies and cities, including Mappi, Merauke, Paniai, Asmat, Nabire, Dogiyai, Fakfak, South Sorong, Boven Digoel and Jayapura.
A further 512 hotspots were detected in Central Papua between August 23 and 26, 2026.
“More than 3,000 hotspots have been recorded across the Papua region as of August 2026, with a significant increase in South Papua, the Papua Highlands and Central Papua,” WALHI Papua said in a statement issued on Saturday, August 29.
In Merauke, South Papua Province, forest and land fires between August 18 and 23, 2026, burned an estimated 116.13 hectares, affecting members of the Yei community and the Kwipalo clan.
In Nabire, Central Papua, fires between July 18 and August 23 burned an estimated 396.13 hectares across seven districts: Teluk Kimi, Nabire Kota, West Nabire, Wanggar, Nabire, Makimi and Yaur. Four families were reportedly affected.
Data overlaying fire hotspots with concession maps in South Papua between July 1 and 9, 2026, identified 1,292 fire hotspots. At least 245 were located within food estate areas, 115 within forest utilisation business licence concessions, and 39 within oil palm plantation concessions.
WALHI said almost one-third of the recorded hotspots were located within areas associated with national strategic projects or concessions.
The organisation also identified the Ifuleki River–Bian River and Dalik River Peatland Hydrological Unit as particularly vulnerable.
More broadly, WALHI estimates that 547,068.89 hectares of peatland hydrological areas in South Papua are classified as having a high risk of forest and land fires.
WALHI Papua said the pattern of fires was recurring and appeared to be concentrated in specific areas, rather than being a series of isolated incidents.
It said the number of fires had been increasing consistently since July 2023, particularly in areas containing peatland ecosystems.
According to WALHI, the concentration of hotspots around national strategic project sites and concessions in South Papua follows patterns seen previously in other parts of Indonesia, where peatlands and forests were cleared for large-scale projects.
The organisation pointed to previous food-estate projects, including the one-million-hectare Peatland Project launched during the presidency of Soeharto in 1995. The project failed to produce the planned rice fields and was later associated with major forest and land fires.
WALHI also cited the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) project developed during the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, which it said left extensive forest damage in Papua.
The organisation said similar development was now continuing and expanding.
The risk of further fires is expected to remain high as the dry season in South Papua begins around June or July and continues until early December 2026.
WALHI estimates that the national strategic food and energy projects cover around 2.32 million hectares and had resulted in the clearing of about 40,000 hectares of natural forest by early July 2026.
WALHI Papua said fires were currently concentrated in South Papua, particularly around the expansion of the Merauke food estate, and in Central Papua’s Nabire Regency, where extreme dry conditions have increased the risk of fires.
“The pattern is repeated each dry season, overlapping with concession areas such as food estates, forest utilisation concessions and oil palm plantations, as well as peatland hydrological units with high vulnerability,” WALHI Papua said. (*)
