3) State officials allegedly intimidate environmental activists following World Environment Day protest in South Sorong
4) Two Papuan women injured in alleged military drone strike on Danggoa Village in Intan Jaya
When Koteka Wenda stumbled across an AI-generated video of her circulating on social media, she was shocked.
In the video, she was speaking out against a documentary that has become the subject of fierce debate.
"I felt like me and my people were violated."
Ms Wenda is the daughter of Benny Wenda, the leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
The deepfake video shows Ms Wenda criticising the 90-minute film Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time, or Pesta Babi in Indonesian.
The film by Dandhy Dwi Laksono and Cypri Jehan Paju Dale exposes mass deforestation and indigenous land exploitation in West Papua, allegedly facilitated by the Indonesian government through national strategic projects and big corporations.
It also explores Indonesia's energy transition, how the regional sugar and biofuel industries are connected to Australia, and reveals how multinational corporations have benefited from several projects run in West Papua.
West Papua activists targeted
The West Papua conflict is a long-running political and armed conflict in the western half of the island of New Guinea, a region administered by Indonesia.
At its core, it is a dispute over whether West Papua should remain part of Indonesia or become an independent state.
Ms Wenda and other West Papuan activists say the use of AI in targeted campaigns against them is the latest form of repression aimed at silencing those who speak out about West Papua.
Last month, Amnesty International released a report documenting how disinformation campaigns were targeting and discrediting Indonesian government critics.
Ms Wenda said that she feared AI-fabricated content could mislead her supporters, who may question "why this high-profile freedom fighter" switched sides.
"If they don't know me, they'd probably think it was me," she said.
"I'm concerned that my likeness is being used and actually is being believed to be the truth."
Sydney-based West Papuan activist Veronica Koman experienced a similar attack last year.
In one social media video, she appeared to praise the efforts of the Indonesian government in West Papua.
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital later classified the clip as a "hoax".
Ms Koman said she believed that the original footage of herself was taken from her personal Facebook account.
The footage was then altered to make it appear as if she said the Indonesian government cared more about West Papuans than in the past.
It was not the first time Ms Koman had been targeted.
"Before that, there was a deepfake video of me engaging in sexual acts," Ms Koman said.
"It's very harmful, upsetting and really disgusting."
While Ms Koman did not specifically accuse anyone of creating the fake videos, she suggested "state actors" were likely responsible.
"It's only state actors that are able to use so many resources,"she said.
'Old wine in a new bottle’
The recent Amnesty International report, Building up Imaginary Enemies, revealed how Indonesian authorities, including the military, used disinformation campaigns to target and discredit government critics.
"This disinformation is a political weapon, deployed to consolidate the government's power when public criticism intensifies, while demonising and weakening those who dare to speak out," Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callmard said in a statement.
"Amnesty's research shows that in the 18 months since Prabowo took power, online disinformation has emerged as a key tactic to systematically discredit government critics, shut down public debate and justify repression, all while social media companies sit back and let it happen," she said.
Ken Setiawan, an associate professor from the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne, said human rights and Papuan activists had long been repressed in Indonesia
"And we know that the security forces have been heavily involved in the repression of human right activists, particularly when it comes to West Papua," Dr Setiawan said.
"What has changed is the technologies that they used, but it's old wine in a new bottle."
The ABC contacted the Indonesian government and military for comment.
'Digital colonisation'
Activists say being targeted for speaking out about West Papua, including through disinformation campaigns, is "nothing new".
"It's part of the long-standing Indonesian government's war on information about West Papua since the 1960s," Ms Koman said.
"It all began with the ban on journalists coming into West Papua, and this misinformation and disinformation should be seen in that context."
In 2022, a coordinated online disinformation campaign aimed at strengthening Indonesia's claims over West Papua was uncovered by researchers at the University of Melbourne.
A joint investigation between the BBC and the Australian Strategic Police Institute in 2019 found well-funded "slanted or untrue content" in the form of news, infographics, and videos on social media, promoted narratives supportive of Indonesian government policy in West Papua.
The researchers also found that the campaign used disinformation through "bots" or automated social media accounts to undermine the voice of the activists.
"Many people told me that they're confused about what's actually happening in West Papua, because activists said A, government said B," Ms Koman said.
"And we know that we can't trust the government, but we also cannot distrust activists."
Ms Wenda said campaigns targeting activists, such as the deepfake video of her, were a new form of "a digital colonisation".
"We, West Papuans, our voices have been silenced for more than 60 years, and we've been struggling to gain attention from the international media," she said.
"This is a new battle for us to fight."
Ms Wenda said despite the challenges posed by AI, social media had given activists "confidence" that their voices were finally being heard.
"I believe that the truth cannot be silenced even despite our voices being appropriated or stolen," she said.
Ms Wenda and Ms Koman said they hoped the younger generation was more critical with what it saw on social media.
Ms Koman said those who wanted to keep advocating for West Papua should "carefully consider" the technology they used.
"Then we can keep our credibility," she said.
2) Authorities disperse documentary screening at University of Mataram
Responses
Human Rights Analysis
Video of the dispersion of screening on 7 May 2026
Document ID: HRM-CAS-079-2026
Location: Student Activity Centre (Pusat Kegiatan Mahasiswa/PKM) of the University of Mataram
Region: Indonesia > West Nusa Tenggara > Mataram
Total number of victims: dozens
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | dozens | diverse | unknown | Student | freedom of assembly |
Perpetrators:
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police
Issues: other
3) State officials allegedly intimidate environmental activists following World Environment Day protest in South Sorong
Human rights analysis
Document ID: HRM-CAS-079-2026
Region: Indonesia > Southwest Papua > South Sorong
Total number of victims: 4
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 4 | male | unknown | Activist, Human Rights Defender (HRD) | intimidation |
Perpetrators:
Republic Indonesia > Government
Republic Indonesia > Government > Public Official
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police
Issues: human rights defenders
Sources:
Jubi
Jubi
Related Cases:
4) Two Papuan women injured in alleged military drone strike on Danggoa Village in Intan Jaya
Human rights analysis
This screenshot was taken from a video that HRM received on 18 June 2026. The video was reportedly recorded at the site of the crime only shortly after the drone strike
One of the injured victims during admission to the Sugapa District General Hospital (RSUD), 18
Document ID: HRM-CAS-078-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Agisiga
Total number of victims: 2
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Agolu Pogau | female | approximate | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment, right to life |
| 2. | 1 | Otovina Hogajau | female | approximate | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment, right to life |
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children
Related Cases:
Behind all of these figures lies a fundamental and equally crucial question: who actually benefits from this development?
This issue gains even more traction when it comes to Papua, a region known for its abundant natural resources.
Its vast landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique local commodities serve as major assets to support economic development and food security.
However, experience in many regions shows that an abundance of resources does not always translate into greater prosperity for local communities.
While development progresses, investment flows in, and production rises, the benefits are not necessarily distributed evenly among those who live and work in the area.
This prompted Billy Mambrasar, a member of the Presidential Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua’s Special Autonomy Development, to meet with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono and ministry officials. He advocated for young Indigenous Papuan farmers, urging that they be given greater opportunities in national agricultural programs.
The aspiration championed was beyond agricultural matters; it contained a bigger question on how development should be designed to involve local communities as the main players.
Many residents across various villages in Papua have a strong passion for farming and have long depended on the land they have managed for generations. They know their soil, understand the seasons, and possess local wisdom passed down through the lineage.
However, this potential is often hindered by significant limitations, including uneven access to training, technical assistance not yet reaching all areas, limited adoption of modern agricultural technology, and difficulty in securing financing.
Meanwhile, marketing channels pose the greatest obstacle to farmers securing optimal economic value.
From the perspective of development economics, this situation is known as a market failure. It arises not because the community lacks ability, but because the existing barriers make it difficult for them to access the resources needed to thrive.
Access to resources
In such a situation, the state plays a strategic role, not only as an assistance provider but also as a facilitator that opens up access, bolsters capacity, and creates an ecosystem that allows communities to grow independently.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono assessed that Papua possesses immense capital, such as massive land potential, a productive younger generation, and rich local commodities.
Therefore, empowering young Papuan farmers must extend beyond short-term programs. What is truly needed is capacity building, access to technology, continuous mentorship, and strong market connectivity.
This approach is vital as modern agriculture has undergone massive shifts. Farming is no longer just about planting and harvesting.
Today's agriculture demands business management skills, digital literacy, technology adoption, and the ability to read market demands.
Head of the Agricultural Counseling and Human Resources Development Agency, Idha Widi Arsanti, emphasized that human resources development is the key to successful agricultural development in Papua.
Young farmers must be equipped with skills that align with actual needs to be able to compete and develop within a modern agricultural ecosystem.
At the same time, infrastructure support is also vital and cannot be overlooked.
The Director General of Agricultural Land and Irrigation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hermanto, pointed out that Papua’s regional characteristics are highly diverse. Consequently, land and irrigation development in the region must be tailored to local conditions to ensure sustainable growth in agricultural productivity.
The smallholder livestock sector also plays a vital role in strengthening food security. Developing livestock farming not only helps meet animal protein needs but also opens up new sources of income for residents.
With the right support in animal health, breeding, feed management, and institutional strengthening for livestock farmers, this sector has the potential to become one of the drivers of Papua's local economy.
Economic impact
The involvement of Indigenous Papuan farmers is expected to have a more extensive economic impact beyond increasing food production.
When local communities are involved in the production chain, economic benefits circulate within the region. Farmers' incomes rise, purchasing power increases, small businesses grow, and new jobs emerge.
This condition is known as a multiplier effect. Every increase in community income generates further economic activity, ultimately elevating the well-being of the community collectively.
Therefore, the success of agricultural development in Papua should not be measured solely by the number of hectares planted or the tonnage of crops harvested.
A far more critical metric is the extent to which Indigenous Papuans are involved in the process and derive tangible benefits from the ongoing development.
Experience in many countries shows that the most sustainable development is one that grows from the community itself. When people become the primary drivers, they develop a strong sense of ownership over the programs. They will not only ensure their continuitybut also constantly evolve and adapt them to meet local needs.
Papua has the potential needed to emerge as a new center of growth in Indonesia. What it genuinely requires is policy advocacy, consistent mentorship, and a commitment to placing Indigenous Papuans at the center of development.
Food security is not merely about guaranteeing food availability, but also about efforts to build dignity, create opportunities, and expand room for the community to determine its own future.
When Indigenous Papuan farmers are given access, trust, and the opportunity to thrive, what grows is not just food production, but also economic independence, optimism among the youth, and the hope that development truly benefits those who have long been an essential part of the Land of Papua.
Related news: Papua focuses on rice sufficiency to lift farmers' welfare
Related news: Women in Papua village grow taro to support food security
Editor: Primayanti
Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has voiced concern over what it describes as a worsening military and humanitarian crisis in Papua during the period from May to June 2026.
In a written statement released on Friday, June 19, 2026, KNPB stated that numerous alleged human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law had occurred across Papua during the period, resulting in civilian casualties, mass displacement, arbitrary arrests, intimidation of humanitarian activists, and the seizure of customary indigenous lands.
According to KNPB, several incidents took place throughout Papua during May and June 2026. These included the arrest of students in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on May 26 and the shooting of a student in Kali Biru, Yahukimo, allegedly by Indonesian military personnel on June 15.
KNPB also cited the arrest of civilians in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, by Indonesian military personnel on May 30 and 31. The organization further highlighted the appropriation of customary lands belonging to indigenous communities in Batu Merah Village, Kimaam District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, as well as in the Metemani–North Kokoda area and the Malamoi customary territory in Sorong and South Sorong Regencies, Southwest Papua, for the development of National Strategic Projects (PSN).
Among the incidents listed by KNPB were the alleged placement of explosives at the Sion Jaindepa Evangelism Post Church in Intan Jaya on June 2, the seizure of land for the construction of a military post in Kali Biru, Dekai, Yahukimo, on June 5, and the expansion of military posts throughout urban areas, villages, and forests near civilian settlements in Nduga Regency, Papua Highlands.
The organization also referred to the alleged bombing of civilian settlements in Melagi District, Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua Highlands, which reportedly resulted in the death of an 18-year-old teenager. KNPB further reported the arrest and alleged torture of four civilians in Yahukimo on June 10 and the arrest of another civilian on June 17.
In addition, KNPB alleged that Indonesian military personnel burned civilian homes in Yahukimo on June 11. The organization also cited a bombing and shooting incident that reportedly left two civilians critically injured and triggered further displacement in Danggoa Village, Intan Jaya Regency, on June 18.
The organization stated that the ongoing armed conflict in Papua has continued to drive an increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Based on reports from Human Rights Monitor, KNPB noted that the number of conflict-related IDPs in Papua had reached approximately 107,039 people by March 2026. According to a subsequent report issued on June 10, 2026, that figure had risen to 122,931.
KNPB argued that arbitrary arrests, abductions, shootings of civilians, bombings in civilian areas, intimidation of humanitarian activists, and the seizure of customary lands constitute violations of both Indonesian law and international legal standards. The organization cited Indonesia’s Human Rights Law (Law No. 39 of 1999), the Human Rights Court Law (Law No. 26 of 2000), the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and principles of International Humanitarian Law concerning the protection of civilians during armed conflict.
The organization also referred to the fundamental principles of the laws of war, including the principles of distinction between combatants and civilians and proportionality in the use of force. In addition, KNPB cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified by Indonesia through Law No. 12 of 2005, and the Convention Against Torture (CAT), ratified through Law No. 5 of 1998.
According to KNPB, the excessive use of armed force against civilians in conflict areas could amount to crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
KNPB also expressed appreciation for filmmakers Dandhy Laksono and Cipri Dale, producer Victor Mambor, and organizations including Jubi, Pusaka Bentala Rakyat, Greenpeace, and Watchdoc for the documentary Pesta Babi – Colonialism in Our Time. KNPB said the film had drawn public attention to humanitarian conditions and structural issues in Papua, including armed violence, civilian displacement, customary land dispossession, natural resource exploitation, the marginalization of Indigenous Papuans, and various forms of alleged human rights violations experienced over decades.
The organization condemned what it described as a military approach in civilian areas across Papua, particularly in Puncak, Intan Jaya, Tembagapura, Yahukimo, and other conflict-affected regions. KNPB called on the Indonesian Government to allow greater access for national and international media, humanitarian organizations, and independent international mechanisms to investigate alleged human rights violations in Papua. It also urged the government to end arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture, intimidation, and acts of violence against civilians, while halting the use of explosive weapons and other methods of warfare in civilian areas.
Furthermore, KNPB called for an end to the criminalization and intimidation of humanitarian activists, human rights defenders, journalists, students, and political activists. The organization encouraged Papuans and Indonesians alike to build humanitarian solidarity and engage in peaceful dialogue in response to the crisis. It also urged churches, humanitarian organizations, non-governmental organizations, and international civil society groups to strengthen support for victims of armed conflict and internally displaced persons in Papua.
KNPB further called for an end to the armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) and Indonesian security forces through peaceful dialogue facilitated by a neutral third party. The organization urged the state to guarantee the protection of Indigenous Papuans and their rights to customary lands, territories, and natural resources in accordance with national and international legal standards. It also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, to pay greater attention to the humanitarian and human rights situation in Papua.
Finally, KNPB reaffirmed its political position in support of the Papuan people’s right to self-determination through what it described as a peaceful, democratic, and internationally supervised referendum. (*)
