1) Indonesian military says security stable in Papua Highlands
July 24, 2026 19:10 GMT+700
Wamena, Papua Highlands (ANTARA) - Indonesia's military said the overall security situation in Papua Highlands Province remains stable despite recent violence in Yahukimo District, where troops are working to restore order following an attack that killed three civilians.
Papua Regional Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih Commander Major General Febriel Buyung Sikumbang said security conditions across Papua Highlands were generally under control, with only limited disturbances reported in Yahukimo.
"Overall, we can confirm that the security situation in Papua Highlands is quite good, with only minor developments occurring in Yahukimo District," Sikumbang said in a written statement on Friday.
He said the TNI Habema Operational Command had taken measures to maintain security in Yahukimo, where conditions had deteriorated following the recent violence.
"Our personnel from the TNI Habema Operational Command have taken steps to ensure that the security situation in Yahukimo becomes more stable," Sikumbang said.
Habema Operational Command Commander Major General Yudha Airlangga said troops would continue security operations in Yahukimo to ensure residents could carry out their daily activities safely.
"We are continuing security operations and strengthening engagement with communities in Yahukimo so residents can work together with us to maintain security and public order," Airlangga said.
He said the military was also intensifying outreach efforts with local communities as part of broader measures to maintain stability and prevent further violence in the district.
Airlangga said authorities were continuing efforts to evacuate the victims of a shooting that allegedly killed three Indigenous Papuan civilians in Yahukimo.
The military attributed the attack to an armed criminal group, locally known as KKB, operating in Papua.
"Security personnel are continuing the evacuation process. We hope the victims' bodies can be located soon and moved to a safer place," Airlangga said.
According to Yahukimo Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zet Saalino, two of the three civilians killed in the shooting on Monday (July 20) had been evacuated by a joint Indonesian military and police team.
"The bodies of the married couple were taken to Dekai Regional Hospital and will be handed over to their families for burial," Saalino said on Thursday.
The team, he said, would resume its search on Friday (July 24) to evacuate the third victim, a woman. The victims were local residents who had been panning for gold near Seradala.
An armed criminal group led by Kopitua Heluka claimed responsibility for Monday's shooting of three civilians near the Trans-Papua Highway in Seradala Subdistrict.
2) West Papua rebels kill three indigenous Papuans
Friday, 24 Jul 2026 | 11:41 AM MYT
JAKARTA: Rebels seeking independence for western Papua have killed three indigenous Papuans in execution styles in Yahukimo regency, Papua Highlands province, earlier this week, as depicted in video clips going viral in social media in the past few days.
The West Papua National Liberation Army-Papua Freedom Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed responsibility for the shootings around Trans Papua Highway in Seradala District, Yahukimo regency.
Spokesman for the TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, said the executions were carried out by a group led by Kopitua Heluka, claimed to be operations commander of Yahukimo Area Defense Command (Kodap).
“Major Kopitua Heluka said that three intelligence agents of the Indonesian military [TNI] had been executed by Kodap XVI Yahukimo and Kodap III Ndugama Darakma on July 20 and 21,” he told Kompas.com on Wednesday (July 22).
“We are fully responsible for the actions.”
He added that the TPNPB-OPM has evidence showing the three victims were involved in assisting security authorities in operations against the rebels.
Sebby also relayed a threat attributed to Kopitua Heluka against Papuans who are considered to act as informants or intelligence agents for the security apparatus in Yahukimo region.
Meanwhile, the TNI’s Habema Operations Command (Koops) said the three victims were civilians, consisting of husband Kumis Kogoya and wife Seli Wenda, and an unidentified woman from the Unaukam tribe.
Koops Habema chief spokesman Lt. Col. M. Wirya Arthadiguna said the loss of civilians’ lives were not justifiable in any case.
“Every Papua resident has the right to live safely, work, raise their families and build their future without fear,” he said in a written statement.
“The security apparatus will continue to coordinate to investigate the incident and chase the perpetrators and enforce the law.”
He said the steps were taken to provide protection for the people and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
One video clip shows a couple sitting roadside in front a row of Papuan rebels holding firearms, machetes, bows and arrows and the Morning Star flag.
One of the rebels delivered a statement accusing the couple of being intelligence agents for the Indonesian government before signalling one of the rebels holding a rifle to shoot them. A similar setting also happened to the unidentified woman.
The TPNPB-OPM has started to target indigenous Papuans who are believed to be government agents or assisting the government or the military and police. Previously, the rebels only targeted newcomers from outside the Papua region.
The rebels have also declared certain regions war zones and prohibited any military or police movement into those regions.
They also banned civilian pioneer flights from entering the region, accusing such flights as being used to move security apparatus.
The Papua region is mountainous, and many places can only be reached by small airplanes, making such flights the bloodlines of the hinterland communities.
More recently, rebels killed an American pilot, identified as Nicholas F. Gosselin, who was flying for PT AMA, or Associated Mission Aviation.
While the airline said it transports food, fuel and mail to remote communities across Papua, the rebels accused the carrier of “frequently dropping Indonesian security personnel”, in violation of its mission goal. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
3) Indonesia's Military Recovers Two Civilian Bodies After Deadly Papua Attack, Antara
July 24
2026 | 6:53 pm
Yahukimo, Papua. Indonesian troops have recovered the bodies of two civilians allegedly killed by separatist fighters in the eastern Papua Highlands province after an evacuation operation that briefly erupted into a firefight, the military said on Friday.
The military's Habema Joint Regional Defense Command said the victims were found near the Trans Papua Highway in Seradala district, Yahukimo regency, following an attack that authorities blamed on the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), specifically the Yahukimo regional command allegedly led by Kopitua Heluka.
The evacuation mission took place on Thursday under difficult conditions, with troops navigating mountainous terrain, adverse weather, high river levels, and ongoing security risks.
According to the military, troops came under fire from suspected TPNPB-OPM members as they approached the recovery site, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire. One suspected separatist fighter was reported killed during the clash, while no military personnel were injured.
After securing the area, soldiers recovered the two bodies from beneath the Ahom River bridge, near the section of the Trans Papua Highway where the attack occurred.
The remains were transported to Dekai Regional Hospital for identification before being handed over to the victims' families. A joint search team is continuing efforts to locate a woman from the Unaukam Indigenous community who remains missing, the military said.
Maj. Gen. Yudha Airlangga, commander of TNI Habema, offered his condolences to the victims' families, saying that losing loved ones to violence was "a deep wound not only for the victims' families, but also for the people of Papua who aspire to live in peace and safety."
The recovery operation followed an attack on Monday in Yahukimo in which Indonesian authorities said three civilians were killed by armed separatists.
The TPNPB-OPM has claimed responsibility for the shootings. In a statement issued on July 21, the group's central command said fighters from its Yahukimo regional command, together with personnel from its Ndugama Derakma unit, carried out the attack. The group alleged the three civilians were Indonesian intelligence operatives and also claimed responsibility for shooting a police officer.
Indonesian authorities have not publicly confirmed the TPNPB-OPM's assertion that the civilians were intelligence personnel.
2) Interim President: Indonesia using civilian aircraft as weapons of war
3) FBI Director Patel returns looted cultural artifacts to Indonesian President Prabowo
4) Two of three Papua shooting victims evacuated: police
5) West Papua rebels claim responsibility for killing three indigenous Papuan 'traitors’
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1) WALHI Papua backs Malind Indigenous lawsuit to protect ancestral forests and lands
News Desk July 22, 2026 3:33 pm
People pose for a group photo following a hearing in the lawsuit challenging a Merauke Regent’s decree at the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN) in Jayapura, Papua Province, on Tuesday (July 21, 2026). – Jubi/Aida Ulim
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI Papua) has pledged to support a lawsuit filed by the Malind Indigenous community from Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, arguing the legal challenge is crucial to protecting their ancestral forests and customary lands.
WALHI Papua said it stands in full solidarity with the Malind people and is closely monitoring the court proceedings over a Merauke Regent’s decree that the organization says threatens the community’s survival.
The hearing, which focused on testimony from witnesses presented by the defendants, was held at the Jayapura State Administrative Court (PTUN) on Tuesday.
“The Jayapura State Administrative Court has become the place where the Malind people are seeking justice over the seizure of their forests and customary lands,” WALHI Papua said in a statement sent to Jubi on Tuesday evening.
According to the environmental group, the lawsuit represents a legitimate effort by the Malind community to challenge a regional policy that could facilitate land grabbing and accelerate environmental destruction across their customary territory in Merauke.
WALHI Papua also echoed arguments made by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Sekar Banjar Aji, who said the issuance of the regent’s decree disregarded the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The organization argues that the Merauke Regent issued the decree without obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of the Malind people, the customary rights holders over the affected land.
It warned that large-scale land clearing and conversion in Merauke could severely damage rainforest ecosystems, wetlands and swamp water sources that have long sustained the Malind people’s livelihoods, culture and social life.
WALHI Papua said regional government policies should prioritize the protection of Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability rather than paving the way for environmentally destructive investment projects.
The organization also cited another lawyer representing the Malind-Anim Indigenous community, Emanuel Gobay, who described the Malind people as “the last ecological stronghold” in Merauke.
Gobay argued that stripping the Malind of their customary land rights would amount to taking away their identity, cultural heritage and the future of generations to come in Papua.
WALHI Papua called on the panel of judges at the Jayapura State Administrative Court to remain independent, uphold environmental justice principles, grant the Indigenous community’s claims in full, and annul the Merauke Regent’s decree.
The group also urged the Merauke Regency administration to review and revoke permits affecting customary lands and instead focus on recognizing and protecting Indigenous land rights.
It further called on civil society groups, students and young people across Papua to continue monitoring the legal proceedings until the Malind people’s rights are fully restored.
The lawsuit was filed by five representatives of the Malind Indigenous community, challenging Merauke Regent Decree No. 100.3.3.2/1105 of 2025.
The decree approved the environmental feasibility of a planned 135-kilometer access road in Ilwayab District, part of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense’s national food security project.
The case has been registered with the Jayapura State Administrative Court under case number 9/G/LH/2026/PTUN Jayapura since March 5, 2026. (*)
2) Interim President: Indonesia using civilian aircraft as weapons of war
July 23, 2026 in Statement
Following the killing of US pilot Nicholas Gosselin by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), more evidence has emerged that Indonesia is systematically and consistently using civilian aircraft and humanitarian organisations for military purposes in West Papua.
A number of photos and videos release over the past weeks clearly show Indonesian civilian planes, like the PT AMA plane Mr Gosselin was flying, being loaded with ammunition, weapons, and other military equipment. The evidence also shows Indonesian soldiers entering the planes to be transported to conflict zones like Yahukimo and Nduga.
PT AMA, along with organisations like Associated Mission Aviation, a so-called Indonesian ‘humanitarian air service’ acting under the Catholic Church, state that they merely transport food and other supplies into villages in the Papuan highlands. In reality, these groups have allowed themselves to become weapons of occupation.
West Papua has never fought with outsiders. Since the first missionaries, Carl Ottow and Johan Geissler, arrived on Mansinam Island in 1855, we have been blessed by God. We are a Christian nation: it is in our DNA. It is not in our DNA to fight outsiders, especially the Americans, who we fought alongside in World War Two. In the history of our struggle, since 1962, our enemy has only ever been the Indonesian coloniser. So we must ask how and why this situation with Mr Gosselin has arisen. The answer is clear: he, and other outsiders like him, are effectively being used as human shields by Indonesia.
When the OPM kidnapped World Wildlife Fund workers in 1996, they negotiated with the Indonesian government to let them go. Instead, the OPM were tricked by the war criminal, current Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and massacred. Despite this, all the hostages were released. The same is true of NZ pilot Phillip Mehrtens in 2024, who was well-treated by the TPNPB and eventually released. This can be contrasted with the killing of two American teachers in Timika in 2002: this was clearly a false-flag attack, orchestrated by Indonesia and blamed on the OPM to further militarise the Grasberg mine. And the shooting of German tourist, Dietmar Helmut in 2012, which was blamed on Mako Tabuni and the KNPB: also a false flag killing to justify repression of the KNPB. Going further back, we must ask ourselves: what happened to the Balibo five?
Only one side in this fight has a history of attacking foreigners.
False flag attacks on foreigners and using civilian infrastructure for military purposes are both crimes under international law and a violation of the Geneva Convention. Indonesia has been guilty of this crime, which is called perfidy, consistently since 2018, when the current, more intensified phase of the West Papua genocide began.
Along with disguising military planes as civil aircraft, the Indonesian army (TNI) routinely occupies hospitals, schools, and churches and transforms them into military bases, terrorising local Papuans and forcing them to flee. The latest example of this trend occurred last week, when the TNI took control of Benawa Community Health Centre, Yalimo Regency. Many sick and critically ill patients were expelled.
Indonesia’s strategy is to militarise every aspect of West Papuan life. By deliberately blurring the lines between civilian and military, Indonesia justifies the takeover of civilian and municipal infrastructure, expelling local residents and turning them into refugees into their own land. Many murdered civilians are also labelled as ‘OPM’. After clearing the people, Indonesia clears the land, building mines, plantations, and other industrial projects in their place.
The final element of this strategy is the media blackout Indonesia has imposed on West Papua for the past six decades. Only by barring all journalists and NGOs from operating there, Indonesia able to spread their lies about the violence they inflict on Papuans, including in tragic cases such as Mr Gosselin’s.
I therefore call on the UN, the MSG, PIF, and OACPS, to increase the pressure on Indonesia to allow a UN visit to West Papua urgently. Indonesia must also allow journalists to operate in West Papua. If the conflict is to cease, international observers must be allowed to know what is going on.
Ultimately, Indonesia must come to the table with the ULMWP to discuss a referendum. This is the only long-term path to a peaceful solution in West Papua.
3) FBI Director Patel returns looted cultural artifacts to Indonesian President Prabowo
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has received a collection of repatriated cultural artifacts from FBI Director Kash Patel during a meeting in Jakarta
ByNINIEK KARMINI Associated Press July 23, 2026, 1:54 AM
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received a collection of cultural artifacts from the country's Papua region that had been illegally taken to the United States, officials said Thursday.
The handover took place late Wednesday during a meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel at Prabowo’s residence in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Patel arrived in Jakarta shortly after talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet concerning joint efforts to combat international online scam operations that cheat victims out of billions of dollars annually.
The exchange underscored growing cooperation between Indonesia and the U.S. in recovering stolen cultural heritage and returning the items to the country of origin, Indonesia Culture Minister Fadli Zon said.
The artifacts from Papua are part of the cultural heritage of the Dani and Asmat tribes and Lake Sentani communities. They were repatriated through cooperation between Indonesia’s Culture Ministry and the FBI after provenance research established the objects had been smuggled out of Indonesia, Zon said.
“These are very valuable objects because this repatriation process is part of our effort to restore our cultural sovereignty,” Zon said, adding that the artifacts will be displayed at Indonesia’s National Museum.
Images from Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat show several polished stone ax heads and ceremonial objects traditionally associated with Papuan societies.
Traditional Papuan stone axes were more than utilitarian tools. Among highland communities such as the Dani, they historically served as symbols of wealth and status, were exchanged in marriage and ceremonial transactions and were often passed down as treasured ancestral heirlooms, the Culture Ministry said.
The return is the latest in a series of efforts by U.S. authorities to recover and repatriate Southeast Asian cultural property that was trafficked through international antiquities networks, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement.
Earlier this month, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton announced the return of two bronze, Buddhist sculptures depicting Avalokiteshvara from the eighth century, the embassy said.
During a repatriation ceremony at the Indonesian Consulate on July 10, Clayton said U.S. authorities would continue working with Homeland Security Investigations to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property and return stolen artworks to their origin countries.
4) Two of three Papua shooting victims evacuated: police
July 23, 2026 20:13 GMT+700
Jayapura (ANTARA) - A joint Indonesian military and police team has evacuated two of three civilians killed in a shooting allegedly carried out by an armed criminal group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, on Monday (July 20), a police officer said Thursday.
“The bodies of the married couple were taken to Dekai Regional Hospital and will be handed over to their families for burial,” Yahukimo Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zet Saalino said.
The evacuation was hampered by strong currents in the Brazza River, which rescuers had to cross to reach the site, Saalino said.
The team will resume its search Friday, July 24, to evacuate the third victim, a woman, he said, adding that the victims were local residents who had been panning for gold near Seradala.
“Although we have repeatedly urged civilians not to pan for gold, some residents continue to search for and pan for gold,” he said.
An armed criminal group led by Kopitua Heluka had claimed responsibility for Monday's shooting of three civilians near the Trans-Papua Highway in Seradala Subdistrict.
5) West Papua rebels claim responsibility for killing three indigenous Papuan 'traitors’
RNZ Pacific reporters
West Papuan militants have claimed responsibility for the deaths of three indigenous Papuans, who they claim were supplying intelligence to Indonesia.
In a statement, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said the three were executed in Yahukimo as traitors to Papua's independence movement.
It claims to have evidence that the three Papuans had caused the deaths of several TPNPB troops.
Along with the three Papuans, the TPNPB also killed an Indonesian Brimob police officer.
The TPNPB said the executions were a warning to all Papuans not to engage with the Indonesian military, and that they will execute anybody that does.
The TPNPB executed an American pilot, Nicholas Gosselin, after he flew a small aircraft into Yahukimo earlier this month.
A spokesperson for the TPNPB said foreigners had been warned not to fly into the area, which the Army considers an active war zone.
Allegations by the TPNPB that the company Gosselin flew for PT AMA had been helping transport Indonesian military, has been rejected by the company and the government.
Indonesian's security forces have been a in a long-running violent conflict with the TPNPB which has escalated in highlands regencies in recent years.
1) Degraded Swamp Forests, Sago Groves Drive Barramundi Across the Border
News Desk July 21, 2026 3:39 pm
Jayapura, Jubi – For the Indigenous Marind people of South Papua, ipni is more than just a fish. Their name for barramundi—known locally as swamp barramundi or kakap rawa—has long been associated with the region’s rivers, wetlands, and mangrove forests, and remains one of the most sought-after fish in Merauke.
Its rich, tender flesh has made it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Many describe its skin as having a uniquely chewy texture.
Barramundi is also a valuable catch for local fishermen, who often venture far into the Arafura Sea—and, in some cases, across the maritime border into Papua New Guinea (PNG)—to find it.
The Marind call it kakap rawa, or swamp barramundi, because it inhabits brackish swamps, large rivers, and mangrove ecosystems across South Papua. Scientifically, however, the species is known as barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a fish capable of living in saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater.
Adult barramundi spawn in the sea before migrating upstream through river estuaries into swamps and inland wetlands, making healthy wetland ecosystems essential to their life cycle.
Environmental observers warn that large-scale land conversion across South Papua is disrupting that ecological balance.
The transformation of native bushland, sago groves, wetlands, and savanna into vast agricultural estates threatens not only forests but also the food chains that sustain wildlife.
Although the government points to Wasur National Park—Papua’s largest wetland conservation area—as evidence that protected ecosystems remain, questions have been raised over whether the park alone can withstand the cumulative impacts of large-scale land conversion and increasingly severe climate events, including the 2026 El Niño.
“The high concentration of fire hotspots within the Food Estate area is a significant finding,” said Uli Arta Siagian, National Executive Campaign Coordinator of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI).
“It indicates that an area designated as a national food production hub has already been experiencing ecological pressure since the early stages of development.”
According to Siagian, recurring fires in the region should not be viewed solely as natural disasters but as a consequence of widespread landscape transformation.
She said deforestation, land clearing, road construction, and the drainage of swamps and wetlands have increased the vulnerability of the landscape to wildfires.
For decades, South Papua has been dominated by lowland forests, peatlands, swamps, and other wetland ecosystems that naturally retain moisture.
“When these landscapes are converted into large-scale production areas, their ecological characteristics change, making them far more susceptible to fires during the dry season,” she said.
Fishermen increasingly cross into PNG The degradation of South Papua’s wetlands has also raised concerns that barramundi populations are shifting toward healthier habitats across the border in PNG’s Trans-Fly region.
Local fishermen say this helps explain why Indonesian boats are increasingly caught fishing illegally in PNG waters.
A fisherman from Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, who now operates from Lampu Satu Beach in Merauke, admitted that crews frequently cross into PNG while targeting barramundi, particularly for its highly valued swim bladder.
“Yes, fishermen from Merauke often fish as far as PNG,” he told Jubi.
The Trans-Fly region, which consists of vast wetlands and savannas, remains one of the best-preserved ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific.
Much of the sparsely populated area is protected, with roughly one-third designated as conservation land, including the Tonda Wildlife Management Area, a wetland recognized under the Ramsar Convention.
Healthy ecosystems there continue to support abundant fish stocks, including barramundi.
Indonesian fishermen have repeatedly been arrested—and in some cases fatally shot—by PNG authorities while fishing illegally in search of barramundi.
Most recently, on July 14, three fishing boats from Merauke reportedly encountered trouble in PNG waters. One vessel sank, while two others remained missing.
The fate of approximately 18 crew members aboard the three boats was initially unknown.
The captain of KM Raditi Jaya, Basri, reportedly survived after being rescued by PNG fishermen.
A fisherman in Merauke said rough seas, with waves reaching two to three meters, contributed to the incident.
Merauke Border Management Agency head Rekianus Samkakai said illegal crossings by local fishermen have become an annual occurrence.
Since 2024, 132 fishermen from Merauke have been detained at Bomana Correctional Institution near Port Moresby, according to records through March 2026.
In February alone, four Indonesian fishing boats were apprehended—two by PNG authorities and two by Australian authorities.
Data from Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia shows that PNG authorities arrested Indonesian fishing vessels on six separate occasions between May 2020 and November 2021.
According to DFW, illegal cross-border fishing persists because fish stocks remain abundant in PNG waters and productive fishing grounds lie only four to seven nautical miles from shore—close enough for Indonesian fishermen to reach despite crossing an international maritime boundary.
Target species include barramundi, Chinese seaperch, and kuro fish.
DFW says fish populations remain healthy because the region’s ecosystems remain largely intact, allowing barramundi to complete their natural life cycle—from spawning near mangrove forests to growing in river estuaries, swamps, and savannas.
For many Indonesian fishermen, the wetlands of PNG’s Trans-Fly region and Australia’s Torres Strait Islands have become increasingly attractive fishing grounds because their mangrove forests and swamp ecosystems remain well preserved.
While no comprehensive scientific study has yet confirmed that barramundi are migrating out of South Papua, the increasing number of Indonesian fishermen crossing into PNG waters suggests the ecological health of Merauke’s wetlands is under growing pressure.
As local fish stocks continue to decline, many fishermen are risking arrest—and even their lives—by crossing international borders in search of dwindling catches. (*)
2) TNI personnel arbitrarily detain and torture four indigenous civilians in Intan Jaya
21 July 2026 / 5 minutes of reading
On 16 July 2026, personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) arbitrarily arrested four indigenous civilians during a military operation in the area of Jalai Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. The victims were identified as Mr Yonas Nambagani, Mr Simon Kopeau, Mr Yoseph Pogau and Mr Agustinus Nabelau. The four men were reportedly taken to the TNI military post in Jalai Village, where TNI personnel allegedly subjected them to severe beatings and other forms of ill-treatment. All were released on 17 July 2026 following protests by residents.
According to information received from local residents, the four men had entered a forested area on 16 July 2026 to gather materials required for traditional rituals and community prayers. Reports indicate that they originated from Abundoga Village or the surrounding area and were detained during an ongoing military operation near Jalai Village at approximately midday. Soldiers reportedly accused or suspected the men of being affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), although no evidence supporting such an allegation has been made public.
Following apprehension, the four indigenous men were taken to the Jalai military outpost, operated by personnel of the 744th Special Raider Infantry Battalion/Satya Yudha Bhakti (Yonif RK 744/SYP). According to local sources, soldiers assaulted the men whilst they were in custody. Initial reports stated that their whereabouts were unknown and that villagers searching for them had been unable to obtain information from the military post. Residents of Abundoga Village and surrounding communities later gathered outside the military post and demanded the men’s release. All four detainees were reportedly released on 17 July 2026.
Photos shortly taken after the release show visible injuries to their faces and bodies upon returning to the community, including pronounced swellings and injuries, particularly around their cheeks and faces (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). The images are consistent with the allegations of torture during detention.
Responses from civil society and authorities
On 18 July 2026, Marko Okto Pekei, Chair of the Meepago VII Regional Customary Council, condemned the reported violence and called on security forces to abandon repressive methods in civilian settlements. The customary council urged military and police personnel to verify identities, communicate with residents and uphold the presumption of innocence before taking coercive measures. It warned that repeated violence against civilians was deepening collective trauma, increasing fear and contributing to displacement in Intan Jaya Regency.
During a press conference on 20 July 2026, Frits Ramandey, Head of the Papua Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), reportedly expressed concernover recurring allegations of wrongful arrests during security operations in Intan Jaya Regency. He called on the Joint Regional Defence Command III (Kogabwilhan III) to improve coordination with the Indonesian National Police and the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, particularly regarding identity verification and information about individuals suspected of involvement with armed groups.
As of 20 July 2026, the TNI, the Indonesian National Police, the Papua Tengah provincial government and the Intan Jaya regency government had reportedly issued no substantive public response addressing the arrest, detention or alleged torture of the four victims. On 18 June 2026, TNI members reportedly handed over rice and instant noodles to the four as a compensational payment to settle the case outside of the law (see photo below, source: independent HRD).
Human rights and legal analysis
If substantiated, the deprivation of liberty without disclosed legal grounds, followed by physical abuse in military custody, would constitute arbitrary detention and a serious violation of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects every person against arbitrary arrest or detention and requires that detained persons be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest. Articles 7 and 10 require that no person be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and that all persons deprived of their liberty be treated humanely and with respect for their inherent dignity.
The prohibition of torture applies irrespective of whether a person is a civilian, a criminal suspect or an alleged member of an armed group. Under Article 2 of the Convention against Torture (CAT), armed conflict, public emergency, superior orders or security considerations may not be invoked to justify torture. Articles 12 and 13 require the authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation wherever there are reasonable grounds to believe that torture has occurred, whilst Article 14 requires access to redress and adequate compensation.
Indonesia’s Constitution similarly guarantees freedom from torture and degrading treatment under Article 28G(2), while Article 28I(1) recognises the prohibition of torture as a non-derogable right. Articles 33 and 34 of Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights prohibit torture, abduction and arbitrary arrest or detention. Indonesia’s current Criminal Procedure Code, Law No. 20 of 2025, which entered into force on 2 January 2026, also establishes strengthened protections for suspects, victims and persons subjected to coercive measures.
Where detention occurs in connection with the non-international armed conflict in West Papua, Common Article 3 of the four Geneva Conventions provides an additional minimum standard. Civilians and all persons placed hors de combat through detention must be treated humanely and protected against torture, cruel treatment and outrages upon personal dignity, regardless of their alleged affiliation.
The authorities must initiate an independent investigation capable of identifying the personnel and commanders responsible for the operation and determining the factual and legal grounds for the arrests. Investigators should secure detention registers, operational orders, personnel lists, communications records and any available video recordings from the Jalai military post. The victims should receive independent medical examinations consistent with the Istanbul Protocol, access to legal assistance, protection against intimidation and effective reparations.
Military officers hand over rice and instant noodles on 18 July 2026 as compensation for the torture and arbitrary detention of Mr Yonas Nambagani, Mr Simon Kopeau, Mr Yoseph Pogau and Mr Agustinus Nabelau
Period of incident: 16/07/2026 – 17/07/2026 Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI) > Indonesian Army (TNI-AD)
Perpetrator details: personnel belonging to the 744th Special Raider Infantry Battalion/Satya Yudha Bhakti (Yonif RK 744/SYP)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence Related Cases:
3) Indonesia Plans Bigger Agriculture Budget For Papua
July 21, 2026
The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to increase the agricultural development budget for Papua to accelerate the development of priority commodities, improve farmers’ welfare, and strengthen national food self-sufficiency.
“The Papuan people have experienced significant improvements in their welfare. However, they still need additional support. I have proposed an additional budget and we will prepare it for next year,” Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said.
Previously, the government allocated Rp1.3 trillion (US$69.9 million) for agricultural assistance in South Papua this year, covering agricultural equipment and machinery, irrigation development, farm roads, warehouses, dryers and agricultural land development.
Sulaiman revealed that enthusiasm for agricultural development among Papuans continues to grow, as several regional leaders and farmer representatives from West Papua, Southwest Papua, Central Papua and Highland Papua had traveled to Jakarta to propose similar programmes in their respective regions.
Therefore, the ministry is adjusting its budget allocation to meet the specific needs of each region. For example, Highland Papua and Central Papua will each receive 100,000 units of agricultural equipment packages to support the development of priority commodities, including cassava.
Overall, the government has allocated approximately Rp3.2 trillion (US$172 million) for agricultural development in Papua through 2026.
Over the past two years, total government support for the agricultural sector in Papua has reached approximately Rp5.3 trillion (US$285 million).
The minister expressed optimism that increased budget support, agricultural infrastructure development and collaboration with indigenous communities would enable the agricultural sector to drive prosperity in Papua while reinforcing its contribution to national food self-sufficiency.
Meanwhile, Wanam Village head and customary landowner Arnold Awalik said the community fully supports the government’s agricultural program on its customary land.
According to Awalik, the development of the rice field will provide indigenous communities with greater opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
“We already have the equipment, but we do not yet have our own rice fields. We hope to cultivate our own land so that the people of Wanam can achieve greater prosperity,” he said.
Responding to the proposal, Sulaiman has approved the clearing of approximately 250 hectares for rice cultivation in Wanam and ensured that work would begin this year.
The government will also provide additional tractors, build irrigation networks, and introduce modern agricultural technology to develop the area into a hub for agricultural development in Papua.
4) GKI Synod Trains People with Disabilities to Make Prosthetic Limbs
Jayapura, Jubi – The Department of Compassion and Justice of the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) Synod in the Land of Papua has launched a week-long training program in Jayapura to equip people with disabilities with the skills to manufacture prosthetic arms and legs.
The training, which opened on Monday at the GKI Synod headquarters in Argapura, South Jayapura District, marks the church’s first step toward establishing a rehabilitation service that is accessible to communities across Papua.
Rev. Hiskia Rollo, First Vice Chair of the GKI Synod Executive Board, said the program is open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation.
“This ministry is an expression of Christian compassion that knows no boundaries. It is not only for GKI members, but also for people from other churches and anyone in need of prosthetic limbs or healthcare services,” Rollo said.
The training also forms part of preparations for the inaugural GKI Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving for Persons with Disabilities, which will be observed on July 29.
Designed as a training-of-trainers (TOT) program, participants will not only learn how to produce prosthetic devices but will also be prepared to become skilled technicians who can work at a prosthetics workshop the church plans to establish.
“After this training, we will set up a prosthetics workshop under the GKI Synod’s Department of Compassion and Justice. Anyone who needs a prosthetic arm or leg will be welcome, and we will serve them to the best of our ability,” Rollo said.
To support the program, GKI invited Kuncoro, an experienced prosthetics instructor from Solo, Central Java, to lead the training.
Rev. Leonora Balubun, secretary of the department, said the initiative revives a prosthetics service previously carried out by the GKI Synod in collaboration with partner organizations, including an earlier program in Sorong.
She said establishing a workshop in Jayapura would enable people with disabilities to access prosthetic services locally instead of traveling to Sorong or other cities.
“We want to establish a prosthetics workshop in Jayapura so that Papuans, especially people with disabilities who need assistive devices, can receive services here. This will significantly reduce the time and costs they currently face,” Balubun said.
Beyond providing prosthetic devices, she said the program is expected to create employment opportunities by equipping participants with practical skills that can be developed into sustainable livelihoods while contributing to the church’s humanitarian mission.
“This service is not only for Christians. Anyone who needs a prosthetic arm or leg is welcome to register and receive assistance,” she said.
Meanwhile, Robby Nyong, chair of the Papua chapter of the Indonesian Association of People with Physical Disabilities (PPDFI), described the initiative as a concrete example of the church investing in the capacity of people with disabilities.
Although initiated by the GKI Synod, he said the training is open to all members of the public regardless of religion or background.
“We appreciate this because it is the first initiative of its kind in Papua led directly by a church. More importantly, it is open to everyone, giving anyone the opportunity to learn,” Nyong said.
Nyong, who is also participating in the training, said demand for prosthetic limbs in Papua continues to grow due to congenital disabilities, traffic and workplace accidents, and illnesses such as diabetes that require amputations.
He noted that quality prosthetic limbs remain prohibitively expensive. Between 2021 and 2023, a single prosthetic leg typically cost between Rp17 million and Rp21 million (approximately US$1,000–1,300), excluding shipping and other associated expenses.
“That prompted us to ask why we couldn’t make them ourselves in Papua. This training is the answer, enabling local people to develop the skills needed to produce prosthetic limbs independently,” he said.
Until now, most prosthetic assistance in Papua has depended on teams from outside the region, who take measurements locally before manufacturing the devices elsewhere and delivering them later.
Nyong said that approach has done little to build local expertise or self-reliance.
Through the GKI Synod’s training program, however, people with disabilities are directly involved in the manufacturing process, giving them practical skills that can become long-term employment opportunities.
He said PPDFI has begun discussions with the GKI Synod on establishing a rehabilitation and prosthetics workshop in Jayapura, which is expected to become Papua’s first dedicated prosthetics service center while creating opportunities for people with disabilities to work and support others in their communities.
Nyong called on the government, churches, and other stakeholders to continue supporting disability empowerment through training, mentoring, and improved access to facilities.
“People with disabilities have both the ability and the determination. What they need are opportunities, support, and training. If given the chance, they can produce work that benefits society,” he said. (*)
5) Tepra Youth Losing Interest in Preserving Tiaitiki Tradition
News Desk July 21, 2026 3:36 pm
Jayapura, Jubi – Younger members of the Indigenous Tepra tribe in Jayapura Regency are showing declining interest in preserving Tiaitiki, a traditional marine conservation practice that once played a central role in protecting coastal resources in Red Bay (Teluk Tanah Merah), local leaders say.
Red Bay, in Depapre District, is known for its scenic beaches, abundant fisheries, rich Indigenous traditions, and remnants of U.S. military oil storage tanks dating back to World War II.
Today, however, tourism has largely eclipsed efforts to preserve the area’s cultural and historical heritage.
“People now prefer to manage beach tourism because it generates immediate income through entrance fees, hut rentals, and parking charges,” said Amos Soumilena, a member of the Jayapura Regency Legislative Council representing the Special Autonomy faction.
“Meanwhile, traditional culture and World War II relics are increasingly seen as having little economic value.”
Soumilena said the Tiaitiki tradition was once widely practiced by the Tepra Indigenous community in North Defonsero, Red Bay.
The customary system embodies principles of conservation through Indigenous knowledge, regulating the management, use, and protection of natural resources, including traditional zoning of marine areas—even though the rules were never formally codified.
“Today, the tradition is no longer practiced as it once was,” he said.
“The same applies to other heritage assets, such as the World War II oil tanks, which many people now regard simply as relics of the past with little economic benefit.”
Instead, local communities have shifted their focus toward beach tourism, which offers more immediate financial returns from visitors.
Soumilena, a former customary leader in North Defonsero, said younger generations have shown little interest in learning traditional ecological practices such as Tiaitiki.
He warned that without greater efforts to pass on Indigenous knowledge, valuable conservation practices could disappear altogether.
“I’m deeply concerned that young people are no longer interested in learning local traditions like Tiaitiki,” he said.
Soumilena noted that researchers have documented the Tepra people’s customary knowledge—including Tiaitiki—in locally produced educational materials in an effort to encourage younger generations to value their cultural heritage.
In his book Tiatiki: Concept and Practice, researcher Dr. Wiklif Yarisetou argues that Indigenous knowledge should serve as a foundation for coastal and marine development policies.
He describes Tiaitiki as a community-based conservation model that protects coastal and marine resources while demonstrating how local wisdom can support sustainable environmental management.
Yarisetou also emphasized the important role of customary institutions in maintaining Indigenous conservation practices and ensuring that coastal ecosystems are preserved for future generations.
During the 1990s, the Tiaitiki tradition attracted visitors from Japan through initiatives supported by the Village Community Development Foundation (YPMD), which also introduced tourists to traditional fish aggregating devices used by local communities.
One of the best-known examples took place in Tablanusu Village on Sept. 9, 1999, when the community ceremonially reopened a marine area that had been closed under Tiaitiki rules for six months.
“Parents, mothers, and young people paddled their canoes to the customary fishing grounds at Bityayo (Old Village) to catch fish, everyone was busy harvesting the sea together.” recalled Menase Soumilena. (*)
