Monday, June 30, 2025

1) Security forces arrest and torture indigenous Papuan in Yahukimo Regency

2) Yahukimo students distribute food supplies to refugees

3) Hundreds of Intan Jaya refugees returned to their villages


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1) Security forces arrest and torture indigenous Papuan in Yahukimo Regency

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 30 June 2025 
On 28 June 2025 at approximately 04:04 am, joint forces of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Police reportedly raided civilian homes in the Uam Village, Sumo District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. During the operation, 27-year-old Peranus Balingga, a motorcycle taxi driver, was arbitrarily arrested, accused of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The officers detained Mr Balingga despite the lack of incriminating evidence and subjected him to torture at the Yahukimo District Police Station (Polres Yahukimo).
He was detained for over 24 hours without food or water. Mr Balingga was electrocuted, beaten with gun butts, kicked with boots, and struck with rubber batons, before being released on 29 June 2025 at 07:30 am without legal procedure. He sustained bruises and abrasions on his back as a result of the torture (see photos below, source: independent HRD). Another resident,  Mr Sepinus Sobolim, suffered property damage and loss of personal valuables during the raid. Further military activity was recorded on the following day near Kilo 5 Yahukimo and at the GIDI Beraza community complex, including a second arrest of Mr Peranus Balingga, which was reportedly again accompanied by acts of torture.

Human rights analysis

The joint security raids in Yahukimo represent grave violations of international human rights law, particularly the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment under the Convention against Torture (CAT), to which Indonesia is a State Party. The arbitrary arrests, lack of legal safeguards, inhumane detention conditions, and destruction of private property constitute a breach of rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including Articles 7 (freedom from torture), 9 (liberty and security of person), and 17 (privacy and family life). The pattern of security operations targeting indigenous Papuans and employing excessive force exacerbates the climate of fear and insecurity in the region.

Bruises on Mr Peranus Balingga’s back, he sustained as a result of police violence In on 28 and 29 June 2025


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2) Yahukimo students distribute food supplies to refugees
Larius Kogoya
Last updated: June 30, 2025 8:44 pm
Author: Larius Kogoya
Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Published June 30, 2025


Humanitarian volunteers from the Yahukimo Student Association or HMY bring aid while distributing basic necessities to refugees in Halihalo-IST


Jayapura, Jubi – The Yahukimo Student Association or HMY of Wamena city, Jayawijaya Regency distributed food aid to 698 refugees in Halihalo Village, Tangma District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, Friday (6/27/2025).

The coordinator of student volunteers, Wolman Wolom explained that HMY raised funds for humanitarian aid for residents who had fled in Yahukimo. The fundraising took place on June 23 and 24, 2025.

"Praise God, from the fundraising we got around Rp13 forest. Because of the urgent needs of the refugees, we bought food such as rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, and a number of other necessities, then we sent them to Yahukimo," said Wolamn Wolon to Jubi via telephone call, Monday (6/30/2025).
According to him, the distribution of aid carried out by the students was accompanied by the Executive Director of Justice and Human Integrity of Papua, Theo Hesegem.
"We brought the aid directly there and gave it to the refugees. We also provided support and encouragement to the refugees. We also discussed with them while providing reinforcement," he said.
He said, the refugees consisted of 519 adults and 179 children. The refugees were members of the congregation of the Gospel Tabernacle Church or KINGMI in Tanah Papua, Tangma Classis.
"Based on church data, the congregation of the KINGMI Puno Church who were displaced were around 270 people, consisting of 90 children and 180 adults. The congregation of the KINGMI Aleleng Church was 195 people, consisting of 45 children and 150 adults. The congregation of the KINGMI Halihalo Church who were displaced were 233 people, consisting of 44 children and 189 adults," he said.

Meanwhile, the person in charge of humanitarian volunteers from HMY, Tefen Pahabol, said that residents could not carry out their activities as usual. They could not garden or look for food, because every day security forces continue to monitor using patrol cars from morning to evening.
"We entered because we were accompanied by Mr. Theo Hesegem. If not [accompanied], maybe we would not have been able to enter the refugee camp to bring aid," said Pahabol.
According to him, the displaced residents had difficulty obtaining food. This situation is feared to worsen the situation. Moreover, with the presence of security forces guarding the evacuation area by setting up several security posts there.
"This has traumatized civilians psychologically, especially because of the presence of armed forces in the evacuation area," he said.
HMJ asked the Yahukimo Regency Government to pay serious attention to residents who have fled, due to the armed conflict between the Indonesian National Army or TNI and the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB-OPM.
"The Yahukimo Government please pay attention, to provide food and drink for the refugees, because they are civilians affected by the armed conflict," he said. (*)


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3) Hundreds of Intan Jaya refugees returned to their villages

Author: Larius Kogoya Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Published June 30, 2025
Last updated: June 30, 2025 3:34 pm

Jayapura, Jubi – Around 900 residents from several villages in Hitadipa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua were returned to their villages, Friday (6/27/2025).

Hundreds of residents have fled to Sugapa District, the capital of Intan Jaya since two months ago, due to the armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB-OPM which caused security forces to conduct searches in various villages in Intan Jaya.

Hitadipa Conflict Mediation Team Coordinator, Enius Zanambani said that his party together with the district government, and intellectuals from Hitadipa District are committed to returning the civilians to their respective villages.

"Civilians directly affected by the conflict include [from] Sugapa Lama Village, Jaindapa Village, Hitadipa, Janamba, Soangama and other affected villages. So there are around 800-900 civilians who have fled in the capital. This is what we brought them to Hitadipa District from the Capital of Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency," said Enius Zanambani to Jubi via his cellphone, Monday (6/30/2025).
According to him, the refugees who were returned to their villages did not include those who took refuge in the forest and neighboring districts such as Nabire and Mimika.
"We brought refugees including from nine affected villages and also fled. They all fled to the district capital to save themselves. They are from Soangama Village, Sanaba, Wabui, Kulapa, Sakumba, Pugisiga, Danggomba and Balamai," he said.
Enius Zanambani said that while displaced in Sugapa, hundreds of residents lived in 17 houses and two refugee posts located behind Bank Papua and the Post in Mamba Village.
"We asked the government for guidance regarding the fate of these refugees and coordinated to return civilians to their villages in Hitadipa District. The Regent of Intan Jaya supported our proposal, so we escorted civilians from Sugapa to Hitadipa," he said.
He said that the refugees walked back to their villages. While at the TNI Post in Sugapa Lama, the escorts also asked permission from the TNI for access to Soangama, Sanamba and Kulapa Villages.

"The road to Hitadipa District to six villages, namely Wabui, Sakumba, Balamai, Sakumba, Pugisiga, Danggomba, was finally opened," said Zanambani.
After receiving permission from the TNI, the team that escorted and the refugees then headed to Hitadipa District to burn stones together before they went to their respective villages.
In the stone burning event, residents, church leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders, district and village governments conveyed their aspirations to be coordinated with the regent and the Intan Jaya Regency DPRK.
"After the event, we took the community to their respective places of origin. However, the people of Sugapa Lama and Jaindapa Villages have not been able to go down to the village, because the TNI post is there, so the community does not dare. But the others have entered and can freely carry out their activities as usual," he said.
The Head of Hitadipa District, Soleman Bilambani hopes that his community can carry out their activities as usual, with a sense of security and peace, without feeling threatened and intimidated by the TNI or TPNPB.
"The community wants development in their village to run smoothly. Therefore, to the district government or regent and DPRK, to provide a sense of security and security guarantees for civilians," said Bilambani.
Soleman said, after not having worshiped in church for more than two months, on Sunday (29/6/2025), his party and the community were able to worship properly again. (*)

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Saturday, June 28, 2025

1) Church: Military presence in Yuguru causes residents to leave their villages


2) Bishop of Timika's Thanksgiving Mass for the Maybrat Community in the Refugee Land
3) Collaboration key to boosting Southwest Papua's development: MPR 

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1) Church: Military presence in Yuguru causes residents to leave their villages

 Author : Larius Kogoya Editor : Arjuna Pademme Published June 28, 2025

Last updated: June 28, 2025 5:11 pm


                                          Civilians from Yuguru Village on their way to leave their village-IST


Jayapura, Jubi – The Evangelical Tabernacle Church or KINGMIA in Tanah Papua stated that residents of several villages in Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan are slowly leaving their villages.

Secretary of the KINGMI Church Classis in Tanah Papua Yuguru, Nopinans Kogoya said that residents left their villages because they were afraid and traumatized by the large military presence in Yuguru Village and its surroundings.

Nopinans Kogoya made this statement to Jubi via telephone call, Friday (6/27/2025).
According to him, some time ago TNI soldiers landed at Yuguru airport and immediately took control of several public facilities there. Not long after their arrival, one night a civilian named Abral Wandikbo was arrested, on charges that he was a member of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB-OPM.
“Abral Wandikbo, after being arrested, [he] was taken and [allegedly] tortured and mutilated until he died. Not long afterward, the military conducted a sweep of residents’ homes, then in a number of villages, the residents’ homes were dismantled, damaged and destroyed,” said Nopinans Kogoya.
Kogoya said that since the incident, residents of 13 villages in Mebarok District have been afraid, traumatized and intimidated by the presence of the military in large numbers, with complete weaponry.
“The community chose to leave their hometowns. They went to the forest and nearby villages seeking comfort, protection and safety. There are residents who are still in the forest, even one by one going to the nearest areas to [Regency] Lanny Jayapura, Wamena, Timika, all the way to Jayapura,” he said.
He said, now the residents who are still in Aptam Village, Bone, Eregelmanggal, Lemurak, Mebarok, Narugim, Ngenamba, Olunmu, Pereki, Sabiem, Setmit, Siginimarem, Talpam and Yuguru are mostly elderly people who cannot walk far.
"Until now, the community has not returned to their village. The situation in Yuguru and its surroundings is quiet. The community's gardening place, the military also came in and set up a post there. Finally, the residents also feel they are not free to find food and garden," he said.
Nopinans Kogoya said, the military also damaged the Kingmi Church building there, so that the congregation worshiped in the yard.
His party also asked for the sending of military there to be stopped, and non-organic military to be withdrawn from Yuguru Village and its surroundings. The government is also expected to be able to protect and provide a sense of security to the community.
"We ask the Nduga Regency government to take care of civilians who fled their villages because they are afraid. Those in various areas such as Wamena, Jayapura, Lanny Jaya [must] have their right to life guaranteed," said Kogoya.
One of the Yuguru youths who did not want to be named said the same thing. According to him, since the presence of the military in Yuguru, it has caused residents to be afraid. Nine villages in the Mebarok District are now empty. Residents chose to leave their villages.
For example, residents of Unggutmu Village, Kerambuwanit, Yimiri 1 and Yimiri, Nunggupuksarak, Kuib, Tunggirid, Osabiem and Borom Church Village. They went to the forest and other areas that were considered safe.
"[Residents of] the nine villages, until now they are still in the forest because they are afraid of gunfire, afraid of the sound of helicopters and afraid of the presence of the Indonesian military called Post Taipur Indonesia in Yuguru," he said by telephone to Jubi.
The young man said that residents of other villages who had not previously fled for protection had also left their villages since the mutilation of Abral Wandikbo.
"They witnessed with their own eyes how Abral Wandikbo was tortured, beaten, mutilated because they were afraid so they ran to find a safe place. There were several civilians who were interrogated, intimidated, [and received] threats from the Indonesian military, including my father, who was also intimidated," he said.
He said, residents of Mebarok District asked the team that freed the New Zealand pilot some time ago and the Nduga Regency Government to provide security and comfort guarantees.
"The residents' hope is that the many military personnel will be withdrawn, because Yuguru Village and its surroundings are not areas of military operations or conflict. Therefore, Edison Gwijangge and the local government are responsible for withdrawing the military and returning the community to their village," he said. (*)
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2) Bishop of Timika's Thanksgiving Mass for the Maybrat Community in the Refugee Land
Author : Gamaliel M. Kaliele Editor : Angela Flassy Published June 28, 2025
 Last updated: June 28, 2025 5:02 pm 

Sorong, Jubi – Bishop of Timika Diocese, Mgr. Bernadus Bohitwos Baru, OSA, delivered a sharp and profound message of faith at a solemn thanksgiving mass with internal refugees from Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua Province, Thursday (6/26/2025).

The service was held at St. Bernadus Aimas Parish, and became a momentum for spiritual strengthening for refugees who have been expelled from their land for more than four years due to armed conflict.

"How do we remain steadfast in God's comfort and believe in His promises? The story of Abraham who was promised descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea, if we relate it to our situation today in Papua, then this is a relevant story. Many Papuans have given up hope, feeling that God no longer hears their cries," said Mgr. Bernadus starting his sermon.
In his long sermon, Mgr. Bernadus raised the story of Abraham and Sarah's steadfast faith in the face of suffering.
He related it to the situation of the Maybrat refugees, who have survived since the refugee tragedy began on September 2, 2021 due to military operations and violence that continues to this day, such as in Intan Jaya and Puncak.
“Our mothers and children live in suffering: they can’t go hunting, they can’t garden, the children have no money to go to school. This is a long suffering that has lasted almost four years. But like Sarah and Abraham, we are invited to believe that God is processing something. God answers step by step, and will answer the cries of the Papuan people, continued Bishop Bernadus.
In an emotional atmosphere, he invited all those present to remain faithful in their faith even though they are hit by a flood of suffering and the winds of despair. “If we continue to stand on a solid rock, namely God, then our house will not collapse. We will not fall. We will remain, and we will feel victory. Never doubt God’s promise. He did not close His ears to the Papuan people,” he said.
Mgr. Bernadus also delivered a touching message from the Vatican, that the Land of Papua left a deep impression on the hearts of world church leaders.
“Yesterday Cardinal Antonio, the general of our order’s chapter, said that there were only two places in the world that impressed him the most: India and Papua. Even the current Pope, who also came to Papua, to this day still remembers and mentions the Land of Papua with love,” said Mgr. Bernadus with a trembling voice.
“Let us surrender all this suffering in prayer, in faith. God has other plans, which we do not yet know. But we believe, He will reveal His glory to the Papuan people. Never be afraid. Do not lose hope. We must continue to pray, call our ancestors, call our ancestors in our customs, and together with our Catholic faith we walk forward,” he said.
He hopes that the thanksgiving mass at St. Bernardus Aimas Parish is not just a religious ritual, but a spiritual moment that reawakens the fighting spirit and hope for thousands of Maybrat refugees and all Papuan people.
“In the calls full of the power of faith, the cries of Papua are made into songs of hope, that God is not finished with Papua. That this land will continue to live and speak. That every tear will be answered by God,” he said.
The representative of the Maybrat refugees, Yeremias Asem, delivered a welcoming speech full of appreciation and emotion for the presence of Bishop Mgr. Bernardus.
“He is a good shepherd who comes looking for his sheep. We know that he did not come empty-handed, but with a heart full of love,” said Yeremias, greeted by applause from the congregation.
He expressed his gratitude to all parties, starting from the Catholic Church, the humanitarian team of the Manokwari-Sorong Diocese, the local government to the wider community who had helped the refugees while they were in the evacuation.
“Most of us have returned, but there are still some who are staying for educational and economic reasons. There are no markets yet, transportation is difficult, schools are not yet stable. We pray that blessings will be abundant for all who have helped us,” he said.
In his speech, Yeremias emphasized that the suffering of the Papuan people is not the suffering of individuals or groups alone, but rather the suffering of all Papuans.
With a voice full of conviction, Yeremias invited all elements of Papuan society to unite in prayer and struggle. God never forgets us. The Holy Spirit is with us. The nature of Papua is with us. Let us rise. Let us believe. Let us fight suffering with faith and brotherhood.” He said. (*)

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3) Collaboration key to boosting Southwest Papua's development: MPR 
June 28, 2025 14:23 GMT+700

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Abcandra Muhammad Akbar Supratman has urged all relevant stakeholders to collaborate to promote equitable and sustainable development in Southwest Papua Province.

“Southwest Papua is a crucial part of Indonesia that we must build together, ensuring that no one is left behind. The key to successful development is collaboration among all stakeholders at both the central and regional levels,” he noted in a statement cited here on Saturday.

Supratman emphasized that for the relatively new province to grow and develop optimally, the central and local governments must adopt a comprehensive approach that goes beyond administrative efforts.

He highlighted the need to involve all segments of society—especially local customary and religious leaders, as well as the youth—to ensure that development meets the real needs of communities on the ground.

Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu echoed these views, affirming that strong cross-sectoral synergy is vital to accelerate equitable development in the province.

“We welcome cooperation between the central and regional governments. It is crucial that we make the most of the current level of stability and security to fast-track the development of Southwest Papua,” he remarked.

Addressing recent security concerns in several areas, Kambu assured that conditions have returned to normal.

“Two days ago, we visited Kisor, Kumurkek, and Kamundan in Maybrat District. We can confirm that these regions are now safe, allowing residents to resume their normal activities,” he noted.

The governor also highlighted the importance of environmental protection in Raja Ampat—a district renowned for its biodiversity and marine conservation zones—following recent controversies over mining activities.

“Raja Ampat is a manifestation of God’s blessings, belonging not just to Papua or Indonesia but to the entire world. We must safeguard this region so that future generations can continue to admire its beauty,” he concluded.



Translator: Nadia P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono


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Friday, June 27, 2025

1) Indonesian parliamentary forum calls for fundamental shift from security to dialogue-based approach in West Papua conflict

 


2) Military members recorded beating Papuan man in Deiyai

3) Military members accused of killing civilian in Puncak Regency



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Human Rights Monitor

1) Indonesian parliamentary forum calls for fundamental shift from security to dialogue-based approach in West Papua conflict

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 27 June 2025 
The Forum for Communication and Aspirations of the Papuan People (FOR PAPUA MPR RI), comprising members of both the Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) and National Parliament (DPR RI), has issued urgent calls for the Indonesian government to abandon its security-based approach to the ongoing armed conflict in West Papua. In an official statement released on 27 May 2025 (see photo on top, source: Kompas), the parliamentary forum expressed grave concern over escalating violence in Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, and Nduga regencies, where armed conflict between security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. The forum emphasized that the current security-focused approach has “proven ineffective and has exacerbated the conditions of civilian populations,” calling for immediate policy evaluation and cessation of military operations that have only added to civilian trauma and suffering.
FOR PAPA MPR RI’s recommendations include immediate evaluation of current policies, cessation of militaristic approaches, and development of measured, planned responses addressing root causes rather than symptoms. The forum emphasizes the need for coordinated action among all relevant ministries, including Home Affairs, Defense, Law and Human Rights, alongside the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) to ensure aligned visions and policies. They stress that uncoordinated handling has exacerbated ground conditions and that the West Papua issue cannot be resolved unilaterally but requires cross-sectoral and inter-institutional cooperation.
The forum’s intervention represents a significant attempt by Papuan representatives within Indonesia’s constitutional framework to shift conflict management from short-term security measures toward comprehensive dialogue that addresses historical grievances, though questions remain about whether the central government will embrace this parliamentary initiative or continue prioritizing military solutions over the humanitarian imperative to protect displaced civilians and create conditions for lasting peace.
The parliamentary initiative reflects growing frustration with the government’s handling of the West Papua conflict- Papuan political figures like Laurenzus Kadepa argue that legislative bodies should take the lead in formulating solutions rather than waiting for presidential directives. Kadepa urged the parliamentary forum to proactively develop concrete resolution formats in coordination with governors, regents, mayors, traditional leaders, community leaders, church representatives, and activists who understand the local conditions. He emphasized that the forum was created to assist the government in conflict resolution.
The calls for dialogue-based solutions gain additional urgency from religious leaders and civil society organizations documenting the human cost of continued military operations. The Papuan Council of Churches (DGP), led by Moderator Rev. Dr. Benny Giay, has called for immediate cessation of military operations and peaceful negotiations, including ending exploitation of natural resources like the Wabu Block in the conflict-affected Intan Jaya Regency. Rev. Giay alleged that certain government factions deliberately maintain conflict conditions. He cited Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) research from 2004-2008 that identified four root causes of the West Papua issue, arguing that these underlying problems have been deliberately maintained to justify continued military operations rather than addressing legitimate grievances through peaceful means.


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Human Rights Monitor

2) Military members recorded beating Papuan man in Deiyai

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 27 June 2025 
On 19 June 2025, at approximately 3:45 pm, military (TNI) members were recorded beating up a 22-year-old Weneiyo Pekei in the town of Wagete, Deiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province. The incident occurred following an altercation at a local street restaurant. Eyewitnesses report that TNI personnel responded with severe physical force, targeting several young Papuan men. The beatings were so severe that Mr Weneiyo Pekei reportedly succumbed to his injuries at the site of the crime. He was not taken to a hospital, and no legal action has been initiated against the personnel involved.
According to the information received from local informants, a group of intoxicated youths entered a street restaurant near the Yudea Church in Wagete Town. After consuming food, an argument ensued between the owner and the youths. The situation escalated when the youths began throwing stones, prompting the shopkeeper to call TNI personnel. Upon arrival, the military officers pursued and allegedly assaulted one of the youths, kicking him on the floor and striking him with a rifle butt (watch video below, source: independent HRD). Multiple youths were injured, and one was reportedly taken to the Wagete Police Station..
Conflicting narratives have since emerged. While human rights defenders and local reports allege that Weneiyo Pekei was beaten to death by TNI members, official military statements deny the abuse, claiming that the soldiers were responding to threats posed by intoxicated youths armed with sharp weapons. Colonel Inf. Candra Kurniawan of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih stated that the military was attempting to secure individuals involved in car theft and attacks on residents. However, these claims have not been substantiated by independent verification.

Legal analysis

This incident raises serious concerns about the continued militarisation of law enforcement in West Papua and the use of excessive and potentially lethal force by state actors against civilians, particularly indigenous Papuans. The failure to provide medical treatment, coupled with the absence of legal accountability, points to possible violations of the right to life (Article 6 ICCPR) and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment (Article 7 ICCPR). Moreover, the pattern of impunity for security personnel in West Papua further undermines the rule of law and exacerbates tensions in the region.

Military members beat 22-year-old Weneiyo Pekei in the town of Wagete on 19 June 2025


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Human Rights Monitor


3) Military members accused of killing civilian in Puncak Regency

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 27 June 2025 
On 12 June 2025, at approximately 11:20 am, 27-year-old Papuan, Mr Agibagi Tabuni, (see photo on top, source: independent HRD) was shot dead by members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) near State Senior High School I (SMAN 1) Sinak, in the Gigobak Village, Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province. Mr Tabuni was a civilian and not affiliated with any armed group. He was on his way to attend a communal event at the invitation of Puncak Regent, Mr Elvis Tabuni, when he was reportedly ambushed and killed by military personnel reportedly lying in wait.
According to family members, Mr Tabuni had departed from his home in the morning and was en route to the neighbouring Gigobak District when he was ambushed and fatally shot near SMAN 1 Sinak. Following the incident, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) published a statement according to which the deceased had no affiliation with the armed group.

Legal analysis

The incident follows a pattern of targeted killings and extrajudicial executions by Indonesian security forces in the West Papua highlands, often carried out with impunity and under the pretext of counterinsurgency operations. The deliberate killing of an unarmed civilian constitutes a grave violation of the right to life, enshrined under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State party. The use of lethal force in this context is arbitrary, disproportionate, and violates basic principles of necessity and distinction under international humanitarian law, given the absence of direct hostilities or combatant status.
This case further underscores the urgent need for independent investigations into alleged human rights abuses by Indonesian security forces in West Papua. Domestic accountability mechanisms have repeatedly failed to deliver justice, fostering a climate of systemic impunity. Human rights observers have been calling for access for international journalists and human rights observers to monitor the armed conflict in the region, which has significantly deteriorated over the past months due to ongoing military operations.

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Thursday, June 26, 2025

1) Indigenous Moi Tribe rejects massive palm oil project threatening last remaining forests in West Papua

 


2) ‘Don’t surrender’ to Indonesian pressure over West Papua, Bomanak warns MSG 

4) Lethal police crackdown at market in Nabire: One Papuan killed, three injured

5) Violent repression of student protest at Cenderawasih University results in property destruction by police officers

6) Indonesian Indigenous rights groups brief UN Special Rapporteur on systematic criminalization and land seizures

7) Police officers intimidate activist in Dekai, Yahukimo

8) Military and police lead violence against journalists in Indonesia


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Human Rights Monitor

https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/indigenous-moi-tribe-rejects-massive-palm-oil-project-threatening-last-remaining-forests-in-west-papua/

1) Indigenous Moi Tribe rejects massive palm oil project threatening last remaining forests in West Papua

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 26 June 2025 




The Indonesian government’s plan to implement a National Strategic Project (PSN) worth 24 trillion rupiah in the Papua Barat Daya Province has sparked resistance from indigenous communities. They understand the massive palm oil development as an existential threat to their ancestral lands and way of life. PT Fajar Surya Persada Group’s proposal, submitted to the Governor on 27 May 2025, seeks to establish an integrated palm oil-based food industry across 98,824.97 hectares covering key districts in Sorong and Tambrauw regencies. The project involves a consortium of five companies that would control vast swaths of traditional Moi territory, including PT Inti Kebun Sawit (18,425.78 hectares), PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera (307.91 hectares), PT Sorong Global Lestari (12,115.43 hectares), PT Omni Makmur Subur (40,000 hectares), and PT Graha Agrindo Nusantara (13,799.51 hectares).
The indigenous Moi Tribe has voiced resistance against what they describe as systematic land grabbing disguised as development. On 21 June 2025, Moi communities from 13 affected districts held traditional consultation meetings in the Klaso District, culminating in sacred oath-taking ceremonies (see photo on top, source: Suara Papua) and the planting of “Tui” bamboo poles, traditional symbols of prohibition and spiritual protection. Traditional leader, Dance Ulimpa declared that the Moi people “can live without palm oil, but cannot live without our customary forests,” emphasizing that these represent their last remaining forest territories. The communities have threatened to paralyze government offices in the provincial capital and the Sorong Regency if authorities accept the company’s application.
Evidence from existing palm oil operations in the region reveals devastating environmental and social impacts that fuel indigenous resistance. According to community testimonies, palm oil companies already operating in Sorong District have caused severe ecological damage, including pollution of the once-pristine Malalis and Klasof rivers where PT Hendrison Inti Persada and PT Inti Kebun Sejahtera operate. Traditional representative Desi Karongsan reported that the Klasof River now runs yellow and oily during rainy seasons, killing fish and causing skin rashes among children. Despite promises of economic benefits, only one Moi person reportedly works for the palm oil companies, while customary land is leased at exploitative rates of just 100,000 rupiah (approximately € 6.00) per hectare per month. The economic marginalization is so severe that some indigenous land is leased at only 6,000 rupiah per hectare, highlighting the gross inequality in benefit distribution.
Political resistance is building at multiple levels, with the West Papua Regional Parliament (DPRP) committing to draft regional regulations protecting indigenous rights and imposing a moratorium on palm oil expansion. A coalition of 18 organizations, including the Moi Great Tribe Council, Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), Greenpeace Indonesia, and various human rights groups, has formally rejected the PSN, arguing that despite Papua’s Special Autonomy Law intended to protect indigenous rights, communities continue facing poverty, displacement, and human rights violations. The coalition demands an immediate halt to all PSN activities that deprive indigenous communities of their ancestral land. The coalition calls for development policies that prioritize indigenous participation and environmental protection over corporate interests in what they describe as West Papua’s transformation into “a testing ground for greedy and reckless development.”


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2) ‘Don’t surrender’ to Indonesian pressure over West Papua, Bomanak warns MSG 

By APR editor -  June 26, 2025

Asia Pacific Report

A West Papuan independence movement leader has warned the Melanesian Spearhead Group after its 23rd leaders summit in Suva, Fiji, to not give in to a “neocolonial trade in betrayal and abandonment” over West Papua.

While endorsing and acknowledging the “unconditional support” of Melanesian people to the West Papuan cause for decolonisation, OPM chair and commander Jeffrey P Bomanak
spoke against “surrendering” to Indonesia which was carrying out a policy of “bank cheque diplomacy” in a bid to destroy solidarity.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka took over the chairmanship of the MSG this week from his Vanuatu counterpart Jotham Napat and vowed to build on the hard work and success that had been laid before it.

He said he would not take the responsibility of chairmanship lightly, especially as they were confronted with an increasingly fragmented global landscape that demanded more from them.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape called on MSG member states to put West Papua and Kanaky New Caledonia back on the agenda for full MSG membership.

Marape said that while high-level dialogue with Indonesia over West Papua and France about New Caledonia must continue, it was culturally “un-Melanesian” not to give them a seat at the table.

West Papua currently holds observer status in the MSG, which includes Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji — and Indonesia as an associate member.

PNG ‘subtle shift’
PNG recognises the West Papuan region as five provinces of Indonesia, making Marape’s remarks in Suva a “subtle shift that may unsettle Jakarta”, reports Gorethy Kenneth in the PNG Post-Courier.

West Papuans have waged a long-standing Melanesian struggle for independence from Indonesia since 1969.

The MSG resolved to send separate letters of concern to the French and Indonesian presidents.

In a statement, Bomanak thanked the Melanesians of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) of Kanaky New Caledonia for “unconditionally support[ing] your West Papuan brothers and sisters, subjected to dispossession, enslavement, genocide, ethnocide, infanticide, and ethnic cleansing, [as] the noblest of acts.”

“We will never forget these Melanesian brothers and sisters who remain faithfully loyal to our cultural identity no matter how many decades is our war of liberation and no matter how many bags of gold and silver Indonesia offers for the betrayal of ancestral kinship.

“When the late [Vanuatu Prime Minister] Father Walter Lini declared, ‘Melanesia is not free unless West Papua is free,”’ he was setting the benchmark for leadership and loyalty across the entire group of Melanesian nations.

“Father Lini was not talking about a timeframe of five months, or five years, or five decades.

“Father Lini was talking about an illegal invasion and military occupation of West Papua by a barbaric nation wanting West Papua’s gold and forests and willing to exterminate all of us for this wealth.

‘Noble declaration’
“That this noble declaration of kinship and loyalty now has a commercial value that can be bought and sold like a commodity by those without Father Lini’s courage and leadership, and betrayed for cheap materialism, is an act of historic infamy that will be recorded by Melanesian historians and taught in all our nations’ universities long after West Papua is liberated.”


Bomanak was condemning the decision of the MSG to regard the “West Papua problem” as an internal issue for Indonesia.

“The illegal occupation of West Papua and the genocide of West Papuans is not an internal issue to be solved by the barbaric occupier.

“Indonesia’s position as an associate member of MSG is a form of colonial corruption of the Melanesian people.

“We will continue to fight without MSG because the struggle for independence and sovereignty is our fundamental right of the Papuan people’s granted by God.

“Every member of MSG can recommend to the United Nations that West Papua deserves the same right of liberation and nation-state sovereignty that was achieved without compromise by Timor-Leste — the other nation illegally invaded by Indonesia and also subjected to genocide.”

Bomanak said the MSG’s remarks stood in stark contrast to Father Lini’s solidarity with West Papua and were “tantamount to sharing in the destruction of West Papua”.

‘Blood money’
It was also collaborating in the “extermination of West Papuans for economic benefit, for Batik Largesse. Blood money!”

The Papua ‘problem’ was not a human rights problem but a problem of the Papuan people’s political right for independence and sovereignty based on international law and the right to self-determination.

It was an international problem that had not been resolved.

“In fact, to say it is simply a ‘problem’ ignores the fate of the genocide of 500,000 victims.”

Bomanak said MSG leaders should make clear recommendations to the Indonesian government to resolve the “Papua problem” at the international level based on UN procedures and involving the demilitarisation of West Papua with all Indonesian defence and security forces “leaving the land they invaded and unlawfully occupied.”

Indonesia’s position as an associate member in the MSG was a systematic new colonialisation by Indonesia in the home of the Melanesian people.

Indonesia well understood the weaknesses of each Melanesian leader and “carries out bank cheque diplomacy accordingly to destroy the solidarity so profoundly declared by the late Father Walter Lini.”

“No surrender!”




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https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/planetary-urbanisation-why-indonesia-destroys-its-green-islands-to-green-cities-elsewhere/

 

3) Planetary urbanisation: Why Indonesia destroys its green islands to ‘green’ cities elsewhere 

BY DWIYANTI KUSUMANINGRUM

26 JUNE 2025


The controversy over nickel mining in Raja Ampat, Papua, is a telling example of how capitalist-driven planetary urbanisation is reshaping the world we live in.

Today, urbanisation occurs on a global scale. It is taking place not only within cities and urban areas but even in many non-city zones that serve as ‘operational landscapes’ for supplying cities’ demands. This concept of ‘planetary urbanisation’ explains how non-urban realms in the Global South have played a strategic role as operational landscapes supporting cities in the Global North.

Environmentally destructive nickel mining activities within the Raja Ampat UNESCO Global Geopark, a global tourism site widely known for its idyllic scenery and marine biodiversity, is a case in point. It shows how the current global demand for urban environmental sustainability has incentivised policymakers in the Global South to provide the materials needed for the cities in the North to be more sustainable.

It also tells the disturbing story of how Indonesia, in a nutshell, is willing to destroy its invaluable green islands for the sake of ‘greening’ cities in China and Europe.

Colonial origin of planetary urbanisation

Indonesia’s rich natural resources have been a source of vital global commodities since the colonial era. In the 15th century, high demand for commodities from Europe encouraged exploration in tropical countries, paving the way for colonialism. 

Resource exploitation by colonial powers played a critical role in the growth of cities in Indonesia and Europe, since the extraction from Indonesia funded the growth of the Netherlands and its cities. This is one of the first examples of planetary urbanisation — where the South was squeezed to provide for the North.

During colonial times, most Indonesian cities were basically just ‘operational landscapes’ of Dutch cities. By the late 18th century, for example, Makassar and Ternate were important cities in the global spice route and became hubs for the ‘local government’ of the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, the Dutch East India Company). A similar trajectory also happened to Pangkalpinang, with its tin mining on Bangka Island, and Padang, a port city that supplied gold powder from the Minang kingdom.

The locations of Indonesia’s new ‘cities’ later expanded beyond those determined by geographical localities (resources sites). In the inland of Java, cities grew organically around train stations as a result of the expansion of transportation networks and the extensive exploitation of plantations in many different locations.

This process of planetary urbanisation continues today, as nickel becomes the latest commodity sought after by major cities in the northern hemisphere.

Nickel boom and resource nationalism

The global demand for renewables such as wind turbines, solar panels and EV batteries has fuelled excessive extraction of nickels in many countries including Indonesia, where more than half the world’s nickel supply is located. According to US Geological Survey, Indonesia has as many as 55.000.000 metric tons of nickel reserve.

Under former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Indonesia introduced a series of policies aimed at downstreaming its nickel mining industry. These included banning  nickel ore export  and promoting domestic nickel processing industry.

However, this seemingly nationalistic policy is not necessarily beneficial for the Indonesian people. Scholars have argued that “resource nationalism” is in fact a pseudo-nationalism, because it is plagued by rent-seeking practices. A revealing Watchdoc investigative documentary has shown that the nickel industry in Indonesia largely benefits just a few mining oligarchs. To make matters worse, more than 90% of nickel processing infrastructure is owned by Chinese companies.

Nickel mining and environmental degradation 

Nickel mining activities in the eastern part of Indonesia are embodiments of ‘operational landscapes’ in ‘planetary urbanisation’. This is indicated by the spatial and social concentration of capital in the forms of infrastructural facilities and the influx of migrant workers, some of whom are from China, in the region.

Look at the private airports in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) and on Gag Island, Raja Ampat. At IMIP alone, there are 91,581 Indonesian workers and 11,615 foreign workers working in the industry. Or look at Teluk Weda’s smelters and port, which serves as a hub for vessels carrying nickels from small islands in the eastern part of Indonesia.

It remains to be seen, however, if these new ‘operational landscapes’ will eventually lead to the creation of new local cities as it was the case during colonial times, or if they will only destroy the environment in Indonesia to support cities in other countries.

The reality is that nickel mining sites are believed to have caused anthropogenic disasters (floods and landslides), and environmental degradation (air, land, and water pollutions), adversely affecting the local communities.

Floods in Morowali, for example, are attributed by many observers to IMIP industrial zones replacing local forest that previously served as a catchment area. In Teluk Weda, for example, Forest Watch Indonesia has found that the expansion of nickel industry encroaching into nearby forested areas has increased the flood risk in the surrounding areas.

In Obi Island, North Maluku, local media reported that mining activities had directly dumped their waste into the ocean. In Teluk Weda, nickel mining allegedly polluted  the river and groundwater, affecting the lives of the locals in Halmahera.

The Watchdoc documentary also emphasises the impact of the mining industry on Teluk Weda’s public health. Levels of the heavy metal arsenic have been detected in blood samples taken from residents, mining workers, and fishermen in the area. This demonstrates how the nickel mining industry can have fatal consequences.

Sustainable for whom? 

Capitalism can be cruel. Yet, there is no denying that capitalist-driven Dutch colonialism, which heavily relied on plantations, played a role in the making of major cities in Indonesia with less severe environmental degradation. The ongoing process of mining activities in eastern part of Indonesia seems much more ominous.

We need to ask who really benefits from the global campaign for’ sustainable development’. Of course Indonesia should tap this economic opportunity, but we cannot let it happen at the expense of our own natural habitat and our society’s wellbeing.



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Human Rights Monitor

4) Lethal police crackdown at market in Nabire: One Papuan killed, three injured

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 26 June 2025 
On 26 June 2025, a violent incident occurred at Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire, Papua, following a disturbance involving intoxicated youths. Police officers fired live rounds and tear gas during the crackdown, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Yulianus Kegie and serious injuries to three civilians (see table of victims below). The use of force extended beyond the initial site of the disturbance, affecting uninvolved community members and bystanders.
Around 10:00 am, a group of seven intoxicated young men was reported causing a commotion at the Karang Tumaritis Market. The dispute triggered police intervention by the Dalmas unit of the Nabire Police, who arrested the assailant. In response, other intoxicated individuals began throwing stones at the officers. Thereupon, the police cracked down in surrounding residential areas beyond the market zone.
During the subsequent raid, police officers fired tear gas and live ammunition, resulting in civilian injuries and arbitrary arrests. Notably, Mr Yulianus Kegie was killed by police officers in front of his home after returning from purchasing cooking oil (see photos below, source: independent HRD). ´Mr Munu Mote, a 40-year-old motorbike taxi driver from Deiyai, was shot in the left arm while returning home from the market. Mr Apedius Kayame, 22, was allegedly shot in the right leg near the Afata Church. An unknown civilian from Mapia was reportedly shot in the calf, suffering a bone fracture (see photos below, source: independent HRD).
Reports indicate that civilians from the Karang Barat and Grimulyo areas, both areas outside the immediate vicinity of the Karang Tumaritis Market, were targeted in the police raid. Local informants reported widespread panic as vendors and youth were dispersed with tear gas and arbitrary arrests, including two young men from Dogiyai.

Human rights analysis

This incident constitutes multiple serious violations of international human rights standards, including the right to life, freedom from torture and inhumane treatment, and the right to liberty and security of person under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The excessive and indiscriminate use of force by the Nabire police, particularly against civilians uninvolved in the initial disturbance, violates both Indonesian law and international norms, such as the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
The extrajudicial killing of Mr Eko Ikomou, in particular, amounts to a grave human rights violation and may constitute an act of arbitrary deprivation of life under Article 6 of the ICCPR, to which Indonesia is a State party. The injury of other civilians through the reckless use of live ammunition further illustrates a disturbing pattern of a lack of proportionality in law enforcement operations in West Papua.

Table of victims during police crackdown at the Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire on 26 June 2025

NameAgeOrigin / BackgroundInjury / OutcomeAdditional information
Yulianus Kegie23Student, USWIM NabireN/Akilled by police outside his home after buying cooking oil; cause of death is to be verified
Munu Mote40Ojek driver, from DeiyaiShot in the left armHit by a stray bullet on the way home from market after buying corn
Apedius Kayame22CivilianShot in the right legShot near Afata Church on Jalan Asismail
Unnamed Male?Civilian from MapiaShot in the calf, bone fractureInjured during police sweep; identity not yet confirmed
Sepi Kamo?Youth from DogiyaiArbitrarily arrestedTaken by police during raid at Karang Market
Dogomo?Youth from DogiyaiArbitrarily arrestedTaken by police during raid at Karang Market

Body of Mr Yulianus Kegie (left) and Mr Apedius Kayame (right) at the Nabire Hospital


Video…...


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Human Rights Monitor

5) Violent repression of student protest at Cenderawasih University results in property destruction by police officers

Cases / Indonesia, West Papua / 26 June 2025 
On 22 May 2025, a peaceful protest organised by students of Cenderawasih University (Uncen) in Jayapura City, Papua Province, was met with violent repression by joint forces of the Indonesian National Police (Polri). The protest, held at the main gate of the new Uncen campus in Waena, was directed against the proposed increase in the Single Tuition Fee (UKT). The demonstration escalated into a violent clash when authorities forcefully dispersed the crowd with physical force and tear gas, subsequently entering the academic premises without consent. One student, Mr Tenis Aliknoe, 25, was injured by a rubber bullet. Police officers deliberately damaged dozens of motorcycles belonging to students, and the property of the Uncen Student Council was also destroyed.
The protest began peacefully in front of the Uncen campus, with students calling for the reduction of UKT. Around 10:20 am, security forces attempted to disperse the gathering by pushing demonstrators, leading to a physical confrontation. As tensions escalated, police fired tear gas into the crowd and stormed the campus, a clear violation of the academic sanctuary principle. During the chaos, one police vehicle was reportedly set ablaze. In response, motorcycles parked within the campus belonging to at least 36 named students were deliberately damaged (see video below, source: Independent HRD) or seized by security force members. Police officers also broke the gate of the Student Executive Board (BEM) secretariat and seized laptops and identification cards.

Legal analysis

This incident represents a serious violation of fundamental human rights enshrined in both national and international law. The students were exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, protected under Article 28E(3) of the Indonesian Constitution and international human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Articles 19 and 21, to which Indonesia is a party. The forced entry of armed forces into a university campus without a legal mandate contravenes academic freedom as outlined in Article 6 of Indonesian Law No. 12/2012 on Higher Education.
Moreover, the use of disproportionate force, including rubber bullets and tear gas, and the destruction of personal property potentially violates the right to security of person and protection from arbitrary interference with property (Articles 17 and 9 of the ICCPR). The lack of prior dialogue and sudden resort to force contradicts Police Chief Regulation No. 8 of 2009, which obliges law enforcement to respect human dignity and use force only under strictly regulated conditions.

Police officers disperse students at the Uncen Campus in Waena, Jayapura City, on 22 May 2025

Security forces vandalise motorcycles at the Uncen campus on 22 May 2025

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Human Rights Monitor

6) Indonesian Indigenous rights groups brief UN Special Rapporteur on systematic criminalization and land seizures

Human Rights News / Indonesia / 26 June 2025 
Indigenous rights advocates from across Indonesia presented alarming evidence of systematic persecution to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights during a critical meeting in the Republic of Congo in late May 2025. The Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) led a delegation that briefed Dr. Albert K. Barume on escalating patterns of criminalization, intimidation, and forced displacement affecting indigenous peoples across the archipelago. The meeting (see photo on top, source Suara Papua), held on the sidelines of the First Global Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from Forest Basins in Brazzaville on 26-30 May 2025, highlighted how state authorities and corporations systematically target indigenous leaders as part of a coordinated strategy to silence resistance to land seizures and resource extraction projects.
AMAN Secretary General Rukka Sombolinggi emphasized that the violence against indigenous communities represents “a systematic and structured pattern” rather than isolated incidents, with a deliberate focus on criminalizing traditional leaders who serve as the backbone of community resistance. This strategic approach involves multiple tactics, including legal persecution, political intimidation, surveillance of activists’ families, prohibition of traditional dress, and restrictions on media reporting about indigenous issues.
The delegation presented specific cases from multiple regions that illustrate the scope of persecution. In West Papua, the permanent presence of armed forces has forced indigenous peoples to abandon their villages, preventing farming, education, and basic livelihood activities while making indigenous women particularly vulnerable. Indigenous representatives from the region underlined the urgent need for a direct visit by the UN Special Rapporteur to West Papua. AMAN representatives also revealed how conservation projects are being used as pretexts to displace Meratus Mountain communities from ancestral lands in South Kalimantan, with indigenous people facing criminal charges for traveling through their traditional territories.
The testimonies extended to North Maluku, where indigenous leaders receive direct threats and criminal summons, forcing them to seek refuge in Jakarta while facing police pursuit. Mining companies control approximately 29,200 hectares of customary land. They have collaborated with traditional sultanates to undermine customary authority, with company leaders captured on audio questioning the legitimacy as a tribal leader. In Tano Batak, two indigenous leaders named John and Tony were detained for defending customary territory, exemplifying what AMAN describes as strategic arrests designed to paralyze entire communities.
Dr. Albert K. Barume responded positively to the delegation’s presentations, expressing openness to complaints and readiness to facilitate the UN’s allegation letter mechanism to the Indonesian government.

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Human Rights Monitor


7) Police officers intimidate activist in Dekai, Yahukimo

Cases / Indonesia, West Papua / 26 June 2025 
On Saturday morning, 31 May 2025, at approximately 11:00 am, Papuan political activist, Mr Er Giban, 18, was subjected to intimidation and ill-treatment by members of the Yahukimo District Police. A police patrol unit stopped near next to Mr Giban while he was sitting outside the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) office in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. Police officers exited the vehicle and forcibly confiscated his mobile phone without presenting a warrant. Accused of possessing a “suspicious device”, Mr Giban was then ordered to follow them to the police station. During the encounter, officers tore his trousers. As Mr Giban resisted and was not immediately detained, the officers instructed him to report to the police station on his own.
Following the incident, Mr Giban and other KNPB activists of the went to the Yahukimo Police Station around 11:30 am, where he was interrogated by police officers. Officers questioned him over images found on his phone, one depicting a kitchen knife and others containing symbols of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). Authorities accused him of affiliation with the TPNPB and alleged involvement in a murder case. Mr Giban clarified that the images were downloaded from Facebook and denied any connection to the TPNPB, reaffirming his status solely as a KNPB member. He further explained his lack of a state-issued ID was due to the local civil registration office being closed. The interrogation ended without further detention.
This incident exemplifies a clear case of unlawful interference with personal liberty, violation of the right to privacy, and freedom of expression and association, as enshrined in international human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a party. The arbitrary confiscation of Mr Giban’s personal property without due process and the use of physical intimidation constitute breaches of the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality required in any law enforcement action. The police’s use of violence and accusations without evidence echoes a broader pattern of criminalisation of peaceful political dissent in West Papua.

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Human Rights Monitor


8) Military and police lead violence against journalists in Indonesia

Human Rights News / 26 June 2025 
Violence against journalists in Indonesia reached alarming levels in 2024, with security forces emerging as the primary perpetrators of attacks on press freedom. According to data from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) committed 19 cases of violence against journalists, while the Indonesian National Army (TNI) was responsible for 11 cases. This pattern of state-sponsored intimidation represents a serious escalation in threats to media freedom, with increasingly dangerous forms of violence including the murder of Tribrata TV journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu in North Sumatra, the arrest and torture of journalist Hery Kabut in East Nusa Tenggara, and a Molotov bomb attack on the Jubi editorial office in Papua Province (see photo on top, source: Jubi). The violence appears directly linked to journalists’ coverage of corruption involving security officials, national strategic projects, gambling, and human rights issues.
The lack of accountability for these attacks has created a climate of impunity that enables continued harassment of media workers. Legal processes for violence against journalists remain largely stagnant, with only two cases processed in 2023 and just one in 2024, according to AJI data. This pattern is particularly evident in West Papua, where senior journalist Victor Mambor criticized the police’s handling of the Jubi Molotov Case, noting that investigation files were passed back and forth between police and military without resolution. The terror against Jubi appears connected to the outlet’s coverage of Papua independence issues and human rights violations, despite Jubi’s efforts to provide balanced reporting and create space for dialogue on the conflict.
Government response to press freedom violations has been inadequate and, in some cases, openly hostile. President Prabowo has accused media outlets of being “foreign agents” when they report critical findings. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria dismissed concerns about press freedom, claiming that the situation remains “fine” because no media outlets have been permanently closed. However, human rights advocates argue that this perspective ignores the systematic intimidation, violence against journalists, and its implications on journalistic work, particularly in conflict areas like West Papua. AJI Jayapura documented 7 out of 11 cases of violence against journalists allegedly committed by security forces between 2020-2024.
The Indonesian Press Council is attempting to address the crisis by forming a multi-stakeholder task force involving media organizations, police, human rights commissions, and prosecutors to accelerate the handling of violence cases. However, fundamental change requires stronger government commitment to upholding constitutional guarantees of press freedom under Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution and Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press, as well as international human rights obligations under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
With 39 new cases of violence against journalists documented by AJI from January to May 2025 alone, urgent action is needed to break the cycle of impunity and ensure that security forces understand journalists work in the public interest rather than as targets for intimidation.

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