3) Indonesia’s revised Police Law: A rushed reform weakening accountability
4) Conflict-related sexual violence against a Papuan woman in Yahukimo Regency
5) Forest Task Force Fails to Protect Indigenous Land Rights in West Papua
The Indonesian military has allegedly launched airstrikes across West Papua with aerial drones, reportedly killing an Indigenous woman from the occupied territory while injuring several others over the past week.
Human Rights Monitor, an international advocacy group, have supported the claims of the West Papua National Liberation Army and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua over the attacks striking two districts in the Intan Jaya Regency inside the Central Papua province.
"The incident raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law, particularly of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, which requires all parties to an armed conflict to distinguish, at all times, between civilians and military objectives and to take all feasible precautions to minimise civilian harm," Human Right Monitor said in a statement.
"The reported use of explosive weapons in the vicinity of civilian settlements and gardens may violate the right to life protected under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
Indonesian authorities have not addressed the recent claims amid a pattern of denial, limited acknowledgement of civilian harm and, in some cases, operational justification.
None of the latest attacks on civilians stretching back over four dates to June 18 had been preceded by an armed clash involving Indonesian security forces on the ground and the West Papua National Liberation Army.
The strikes reportedly damaged civilian property, which included one attack in the early hours of Monday morning, causing residents to flee their homes in the dark.
Both telephone and internet networks were allegedly cut during a calculated military operation to disrupt communications, the West Papua National Liberation Army also claimed.
"Indonesian military dropped grenade bombs using camera drones," WPNLA spokesperson Sebby Sambom said on Monday.
Makelon Majau was the most recent victim on Wednesday, sustaining shrapnel injuries from the strikes near his home where Mr Majau's dog was reportedly killed from the explosion.
The most serious of the attacks occurred when two Papuan women were critically injured from the first of the drone strikes last week.
Otovina Hogajau died days later from her wounds while Aliana Pogau is reportedly still recovering.
The village women were returning from collecting sweet potatoes in their gardens when drones dropped a bomb on them.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua have accused Indonesia of repeatedly using drones to kill innocent West Papuan men, women and children in the latest form of warfare to quell the territory's push for independence.
It was estimated that around 3000 West Papuans were forced from their villages in the recent attacks, according to the Free West Papua campaign group, adding to around 122,000 reported civilians that Indonesian military operations have been displaced in recent years.
Only days after the initial attack last week, a second bombardment was carried out by a drone flying near the epicentre of the Wabu Block gold mine in what the United Liberation Movement for West Papua have alleged is a tactical battle for Indigenous Papuans against curtailing the Indonesian mega-mining project developing on their ancestral land.
Bomb attacks from unmanned drones have also become a key strategy for the Indonesian army in recent years to fight against West Papua's push for recognition of its sovereignty.
Drones were used in multiple previous attacks on a separate village in May that killed two young men near the headquarters of the National Committee for West Papua, while another strike also occurred in the Kembru refugee camp similarly back in February.
"Indonesia is using drones to massacre defenceless women and children, many of whom do not understand the technology being used to kill them," Benny Wenda, the chairman for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, said in a statement on Thursday.
"We are David versus Goliath, victims of the most unequal war in the world.
"Where is Pacific leadership, as Indonesia murders your West Papuan kin?"
Mr Wenda, who has been exiled to London for several years, first urged support from two British Labour MPs last year where Alex Sobel and Anneliese Dodds addressed the ongoing issues of drone warfare and Papuan ecocide from the Indonesians with powerful statements in the UK parliament.
"The United Liberation Movement for West Papua encourages all parliamentarians from around the world to raise this issue," he said.
"The people of West Papua are voiceless: we need our friends to speak for us."
Indigenous MP Lidia Thorpe raised the issue of West Papua in the Federal senate in November last year, condemning the alleged massacres from Indonesian military forces and calling on the Australian government to place pressure on Jakarta to finally permit the United Nations Human Rights commissioner access to visiting the occupied territory.
TAPOL is greatly concerned by intimidation surrounding the release of the documentary film ‘Pig Feast: Colonialism in our Age’ (Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita). With millions of views online, it has raised the issue of West Papua like almost nothing else before it. However, its release on YouTube was in part prompted by the widespread intimidation and shutting down of film screenings by the military and militia groups, and, in a darker turn, people involved in the production or who were starring in the documentary itself.
Intimidations and denial lead to film becoming viral
The release of the film has added to the national conversation on West Papua and has worried those in power. The film follows four people and their indigenous communities across the region, detailing their indigenous livelihoods, worldviews and ceremonies, and how these are being threatened by the vast scale of Strategic National Projects (Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN)) in the region.1 It has had over 14 million views on YouTube (where it can be seen in Indonesian or with English subtitles) as of 17th June, a startling figure given it was only made available on 22nd May,2 and also has been watched at over 2,000 film screenings across Indonesia.3
The security forces, both police and military, university authorities, and other groups have made threats against these screenings and have attempted to shut them down as well as accompanying discussions. These shutdowns have been happening all over Indonesia, including in Sorong, Mataram, Yogyakarta and Ternate. At least 50 screenings had been shut down as of 11th June,4 with some of the screenings being labelled as ‘provocative’ by the authorities and the director Dandhy Laksono labelled as a ‘foreign agent’.5 Some of the screenings were broken up with the claim that the film had not received approval of the Censor Board for its certification, despite the fact that, as a documentary, it was exempt.6 Journalists covering the film have also been targeted, with rotten chicken heads sent to a reporter from independent media outlet Floresa, as well as intimidating texts sent by the police to an editor, for social media posts related to their coverage of the film.7 The authorities have tried every excuse in the book to try and keep a lid on the spread of the film’s message.
Despite this, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra, had stated that “The government has never banned people from watching the film”.8 Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General Maruli Simanjuntak, said there was no central policy of shutting down film screenings, though did also mention that it was up to local commanders and that screenings could be shut down if needed to “maintain regional safety”.9 Yet despite the attempts to suppress screenings, it has had the effect of propelling the film into the national conversation, where even former President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, weighed in, saying that she “...cried yesterday watching Pesta Babi. That is the reality.”10
Yasinta Moiwend’s apparent volte-face
One of the dramas that has been getting a lot of coverage has been the apparent changing of opinion of Yasinta Moiwend, one of the primary figures featured in the film. Known as Mama Yasinta, she has been a strong defender of her indigenous community of Wanam in Papua Selatan Province against PSNs, both locally and also at the national level. She spoke at a pre-launch screening of the film in Jayapura in March on needing to “stay strong, regardless of what happens to us, we must resist”.11 From 23rd May, her family reported that they had lost contact with her.12 There had been reports of her arriving at a military base, then appearing in several videos claiming the filmmakers of Pig Feast had used her image without permission. She had flown to Jakarta, and on 29th May, had reported Merauke Legal Aid (LBH Papua Merauke), who were involved in the film production, to the police. Her family and civil society organisations suspect that Mama Yasinta had been under duress and her very presence in Jakarta, which she could not support on her own13 are signs of outside involvement.
Conclusion
These events show that greater knowledge of West Papua has a critical effect on its wider discussion in Indonesia and around the globe. Efforts to suppress screenings have in fact made the film go viral. But these shutdowns should never have happened in the first place. We call on the Indonesian government to unambiguously allow screenings and discussions of the film to take place. There should be no mixed messages on whether the film can be shown or not. Nor should there be acts of intimidation against the filmmakers, participants in the film and journalists seeking to cover the film. The clear intimidation of Mama Yasinta to force her to disown the film is unacceptable, and the identities and actions of those doing this behind the scenes must be revealed.
London, 25th June 2026
1 M. Hariyadi , Asia News, ‘“Pesta Babi”: The film on the exploitation of Papua that Prabowo wants to ban’, 11th May 2026, https://www.asianews.it/news-en/%E2%80%9CPesta-Babi%E2%80%9D:-The-film-on-the-exploitation-of-Papua-that-Prabowo-wants-to-ban-65416.html
2 Figures taken from the Youtube video page: ‘Pesta Babi, Kolonialism di Zama Kita (Full Movie)’, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpdrWgDRVf8&t=3728s&pp=ygUKcGVzdGEgYmF2aQ%3D%3D, Correct as of 12:29, 17th June 2026
3 H. Sousa, Indonesia at Melbourne,‘‘Pig Feast’: a test case for alternative media, Papua, and Indonesian democracy’, 11th June 2026, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/pig-feast-a-test-case-for-alternative-media-papua-and-indonesian-democracy/
4 ‘“Pig Feast”: a test case for alternative media, Papua, and Indonesian democracy’
5 H. Souisa, ABC News, ‘Menjaga Ruang Pertemuan Rakyat: Di Balik Nobar Pesta Babi dan 'Antek Asing', 20th May 2026, https://www.abc.net.au/indonesian/2026-05-20/nonton-bareng-pesta-babi-dan-diskusi-antek-asing/106693212
6 A. Saubani, Republika, ‘'Pesta Babi' Dinilai Bukan Film yang Harus Lulus Sensor LSF Seperti Kata TNI’, 18th May 2026, https://news.republika.co.id/berita/tf7u4u409/pesta-babi-dinilai-bukan-film-yang-harus-lulus-sensor-lsf-seperti-kata-tni
7 Floresa, ‘Kepala Ayam dan Telur di Kantor Kami’, 9th June 2026, https://floresa.co/dari-redaksi/87853/2026/06/09/kepala-ayam-dan-telur-di-kantor-kami
8 West Papua Voice, ‘Indonesia Responds to Controversial Documentary Film Pesta Babi’, 15th May 2026, https://westpapuavoice.ac/politics/indonesia-responds-to-controversial-documentary-film-pesta-babi/
9 F. Waku, ‘TNI Bubarkan Nobar Film Pesta Babi, KSAD Jenderal Maruli Simanjuntak: Tak Ada Instruksi’, 19th May 2026, https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/7831578/tni-bubarkan-nobar-film-pesta-babi-ksad-jenderal-maruli-simanjuntak-tak-ada-instruksi
10 H. Baharudin, ‘Officials tried to silence Papua film Pesta Babi. It drew millions of views on YouTube instead’, 26th May 2026, https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/officials-tried-to-silence-papua-film-pesta-babi-it-drew-millions-of-views-on-youtube-instead
11 BBC Indonesia, ‘Mama Yasinta laporkan LBH ke Polda Metro Jaya, siapa dia dan apa kaitannya dengan film Pesta Babi?’, 30th May 2026, https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cg5plj1q1p2o (Accessed 8th June 2026)
12 BBC Indonesia, ‘Film Pesta Babi: Menelusuri jejak Yasinta Moiwend di Jakarta – Siapa saja orang-orang yang bersamanya?’, 8th June 2026, https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cp9p978z49ko
13 H. Souisa, ‘Pig Feast explores Indigenous land rights in West Papua but key leader Mama Yasinta changed her tune’, 12th June 2026, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-12/documentary-pig-feast-colonialism-in-our-time-west-papua/106775606
3) Indonesia’s revised Police Law: A rushed reform weakening accountability
4) Conflict-related sexual violence against a Papuan woman in Yahukimo Regency
Chronology of Events
Public Responses
Human Rights Analysis
KNPB condemn all forms of sexual violence and alleged human rights violations
Document ID: HRM-CAS-090-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | female | adult | Indigenous Peoples | sexual assault |
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
5) Forest Task Force Fails to Protect Indigenous Land Rights in West Papua
Manokwari, Jubi – The presence of the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) in Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province, has come under criticism after an activist said it has failed to protect Indigenous land rights.
The statement was made by Sulianto Alias, director of the Papua advocacy group Panah Papua, following allegations that the customary land of the Ateta clan in Aroba Village, Aroba District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, has been appropriated by oil palm plantation company PT Borneo Subur Prima (PT BSP).
Alias said that continued activities on the disputed customary land following the Forest Task Force’s revocation of PT Varita Majutama’s plantation concession appeared to undermine the authority of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who established the task force.
“The land that was seized on March 7, 2026, had already been marked with official signboards announcing the revocation of PT Varita Majutama’s forest area release permit, covering 32,278 hectares,” Alias said on Thursday.
According to him, the signboards prohibit anyone from entering the area without permission, damaging property, looting, stealing, embezzling, harvesting forest products, trading, or occupying the land without authorization from the relevant authorities.
“Those prohibitions appear to have been ignored. Despite the revocation of the permit by the Forest Task Force, PT Borneo Subur Prima has continued its operations,” he said.
“Moreover, both the provincial and regency governments have continued issuing permits, while the Teluk Bintuni Land Office has proceeded with land measurements.”
Alias said the Teluk Bintuni Land Office had carried out cadastral surveys for a Right-to-Cultivate (Hak Guna Usaha, or HGU) title application by PT BSP in Aroba Village.
The cadastral survey is intended to determine the exact location, boundaries, size, shape, and geographic coordinates of land proposed for an HGU concession.
“Given that the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) is represented on the task force, it is deeply regrettable that land measurements are being carried out in an area where PT Varita Majutama’s permit has already been revoked. It appears to involve a member of the task force itself through the head of the Teluk Bintuni Land Office,” Alias said.
He further alleged that, in addition to the head of the Teluk Bintuni Land Office, the head of the West Papua Provincial Forestry Office had also issued a Timber Utilization Approval (PKKNK) to PT BSP.
The permit, numbered 500.4.4.33/77/DISHUT-PB/2026, was reportedly issued in the name of PT Borneo Subur Prima 1.
“Since field measurements have already been carried out, it is almost certain that environmental recommendations and plantation business permits from the Regent of Teluk Bintuni have also been issued,” he said.
Alias added that forest clearing for PT BSP’s plantation development and nursery operations had already begun, while logging roads had reportedly been opened to facilitate timber harvesting.
His organization urged the Forest Task Force, as an extension of the President’s authority, to investigate the matter, adding that local communities would continue monitoring the case.
“We will see how strong the Forest Task Force really is. Whether it genuinely enforces forest regulations or instead serves oligarchic interests that have exploited Indonesia’s natural wealth,” Alias said.
Earlier, Rizky, Head of Division V at the West Papua Provincial Land Office, acknowledged that the Ateta clan had opposed PT BSP’s planned oil palm plantation from the outset.
“Yesterday, the Regional Land Office’s Survey Division completed boundary measurements for the HGU application submitted by PT BSP and the Producers’ Cooperative. The land involved was acquired from the Yawena, Kasina, and Susure Alias clans—not from the Ateta clan,” Rizky said.
Meanwhile, Benidiktus Ateta, head of the Ateta clan, reaffirmed that his community would never surrender any portion of its customary land for oil palm plantation development.
“I formally removed PT BSP’s boundary markers through a customary ritual. If the government and the company want to evict me, destroy my home, kill me and my family, only then can they clear my forest,” Benidiktus Ateta said while removing the company’s boundary stakes. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – The free education program introduced by the Central Papua Provincial Government under Governor Meki Nawipa and Deputy Governor Deinas Geley has been hailed as a transformative policy aimed at securing the future of the province’s younger generation.
The statement was made by Yeri Murib, a representative of the communities from Puncak and Puncak Jaya regencies in Central Papua.
Speaking on behalf of thousands of residents from Puncak and Puncak Jaya living across their home regencies and in Nabire, Murib formally submitted a letter of appreciation to Governor Meki Nawipa and Deputy Governor Deinas Geley.
The letter, numbered 01/6/2026, was issued in response to the provincial government’s decision to waive all education fees for students from junior secondary school (SMP), senior secondary school (SMA/SMK), through higher education.
In the letter, community members described the free education policy as “a miracle” and the answer to prayers they had offered for many years.
Murib said that education costs had long been one of the biggest obstacles preventing children from mountain communities, valleys, and coastal areas from continuing their studies.
“For many families, pursuing education meant having to sell land, livestock, or agricultural produce just to cover school expenses. Now, that situation has changed dramatically. Communities have already witnessed three tangible impacts from this policy,” Murib wrote.
According to him, parents now feel relieved as the burden of education expenses has been lifted entirely.
He also noted that children’s enthusiasm for learning has increased significantly, with children from Bina, Sinak, Mulia, Ilaga, and remote areas across Nabire showing a renewed eagerness to attend school.
“Community leaders and church leaders rejoice because this policy opens the way for a new generation of leaders, teachers, health workers, and educators who are both knowledgeable and God-fearing,” he said.
Quoting Proverbs 19:17, the community stated that the policy represents more than just a government program—it is an investment with eternal value.
As a sign of their commitment, the communities pledged three promises before God and the provincial leadership: to ensure that every child between the ages of 12 and 25 attends school, leaving no one behind at home; to protect and maintain school buildings, books, and all educational facilities provided by the government; and to pray daily for the Governor, Deputy Governor, and all government officials to be blessed with good health, long life, and wisdom in leading Central Papua.
“This policy is an investment in heaven that will save the future generation of Central Papua,” Murib said.
He added that the letter of appreciation reflects the tangible impact of the provincial government’s Rp77.851 billion education budget, which continues to expand access to education regardless of geographical barriers or economic circumstances.
