The armed conflict in West Papua throughout 2024 remained a driving force behind human rights violations in the Papuan provinces, characterised by reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and torture by security forces, particularly in the highlands. Authorities continued to restrict freedom of expression by dispersing peaceful protests. Under Indonesia’s new government, led by former military general Prabowo Subianto, pressure on West Papua’s indigenous peoples’ land and cultural heritage has intensified. Military forces secure the exploitation of West Papua’s natural resources through national strategic projects and private investment, heightening the risk of violence in these regions.
Infrastructure projects and resource extraction remained the government’s priority, yet offered minimal advantages to indigenous Papuans. Despite special autonomy funding, healthcare and education saw little improvement, particularly in conflict zones where military personnel replaced professional teachers and health workers who fled due to violence.
According to local media and human rights defenders, by December 2024, over 85,000 Papuans remained internally displaced following armed clashes and security force raids that destroyed their homes and livestock. The heavy military presence deterred many from returning home, leaving displaced persons with limited options. Most survive in makeshift camps or with relatives, lacking access to basic services.
The structure of this report consists of two primary sections. The first one, ‘Civil and Political Rights’, is subdivided into six subsections that include: impunity, killings and torture, freedom of expression, and additional key topics, thoroughly presenting documented cases and relevant statistical evidence. The second section, ‘Conflict and Displacement’, explores the armed conflict’s effects on indigenous populations and the challenges faced by internally displaced persons, underscoring the complexities of the human rights situation in West Papua.
Over 120 civil society organisations from Europe and Indonesia, including Human Rights Monitor, have called on the European Union and Indonesia to end negotiations on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) being developed will likely pose significant risks to environmental and human rights, particularly for indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups in the Indonesian archipelago.
In 2016, the European Union and Indonesia launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, aiming to create new market access, increase trade and investment and promote sustainable development. Trade negotiations are not often transparent, and the public is often limited to occasional leaks of draft agreements or deciphering public statements from the two sides to understand what is actually being discussed. Still, in the eight years and nineteen rounds of negotiations since 2016, public documents show no specific consideration of the conflict in West Papua. Perhaps it should not be surprising that the most pressing human rights issue has been taken off the table, as the EU had already reaffirmed its “respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of the Republic of Indonesia” in the 2014 Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the two parties, which forms the basis for the ongoing FTA negotiations. While respecting these principles is a common international standard, Indonesia expects that human rights violations occurring in the context of secessionist conflicts will not be raised.
When the EU negotiates an FTA, a Sustainability Impact Assessment is typically required to identify potential economic, social, environmental and human rights impacts. This process was conducted by consultants and concluded in 2019, finding that Indonesia’s enforcement of labour and human rights laws was relatively weak. The SIA acknowledged that indigenous rights were particularly at risk, recommending that Convention 169 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) be specifically referenced in the FTA. However, this was rejected by the European Commission, which instead focused on assigning a central role to the bilateral EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue to raise issues of concern with Indonesian authorities. In the years since, this approach has been seen to be inadequate, as the Indonesian Government delayed the Human Rights Dialogue from 2022 until 2024 and declined to issue a joint statement following the conclusion of the 2024 dialogue.
While the EU is Indonesia’s fifth largest trading partner globally, Indonesia is only the EU’s fifth largest partner in ASEAN. Nevertheless, the EU is particularly interested in finalising an agreement due to Indonesia’s vast nickel reserves. A key component of Electric Vehicle batteries, procuring nickel is an EU priority under the 2024 European Critical Raw Materials Act. However, the Indonesian Government has banned the export of raw nickel ore, insisting on refining the metal within the country, leading to a standstill in negotiations. While this policy is generating significant profits for nickel conglomerates and foreign investors – primarily from China – the surge in mining and refinery activities in Indonesia is destroying local ecosystems, creating widespread deforestation and polluting waterways. This includes nickel mining in the UNESCO Global Geopark of Raja Ampat, where more than 22,420 hectares have been granted in mining concessions.
The lack of transparency in trade negotiations undermines democratic accountability. The public is typically excluded from the process and only knows the full scope of an agreement when the negotiations have concluded. But there is ample public evidence that since the launch of negotiations, the human rights situation in Indonesia has severely deteriorated. Since the 2019 Sustainability Impact Assessment, civil liberties have come under intense attack by the Indonesian Government and its allies. During this period, the armed conflict in West Papua has escalated, aggravated by the expansion of natural resource extraction and agribusiness – activities that the proposed EU-Indonesia CEPA seeks to further promote.
The European Union should refrain from committing to any new agreements with Indonesia until there is clear improvement in the country’s human rights situation, particularly regarding the conflict in West Papua. With 80,000 indigenous people displaced by the conflict, millions of hectares of primary forest threatened by government-backed investments, and Indonesian security forces allegedly committing Crimes Against Humanity against their own citizens, the EU must put its international human rights obligations over corporate economic interests.
Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement or TPNPB-OPM, has announced to all schools in Papua, especially in areas of armed conflict, to go on strike as long as the TNI/Polri use schools as military posts.
TPNPB-OPM suspects that in addition to being teachers, the TNI/Polri will also serve as health workers or doctors in the Papua region, so that schools must be vacated.
This was stated by TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom, as quoted from a press release received by Jubi in Jayapura, Papua, Tuesday (2/18/2025).
"The TPNPB National Commission Headquarters has also received an official report from the TPNPB Kodap Sinak troops today, Monday, February 17, 2025 that the TPNPB Kodap Sinak is ready to take responsibility for the burning of a building of the Agandugume Junior High School (SMP) in Sinak, Puncak Regency which was burned at around 19.00 pm on Friday, February 14, 2025," he said.
Sambom said that the TPNPB-OPM burned down the Agandugume SMP building in Sinak because the school was suspected of being used by the TNI/Polri during its military operations.
"TPNPB Kodap Sinak troops further reported that the Indonesian Government military apparatus has been conducting a military operation in Timobut Village, Puncak Regency since yesterday and has taken over civilian houses to be used as military posts after more than 450 military personnel entered the war zone in Puncak Regency since Wednesday (5/2/2025). Until now they continue to carry out operations in civilian villages," he said.
Sambom challenged the TNI/Polri not to target civilians in carrying out operations, but to fight against the TPNPB-OPM troops.
"The Management of the TPNPB National Commission Headquarters also appealed to the Indonesian Government military to immediately stop operations in schools on the grounds of distributing nutritious food to school children, pregnant women and all Papuans in public places. If that still happens, the TPNPB is ready to conduct an education strike for students in Papua," said Sebby Sambom.
"More specifically, once again, for Papuans to immediately stop consuming food that has been packaged or not distributed by the Indonesian military in conflict areas because it is poison," said TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom. (*)
3) Prabowo focusing on building infra in Papua's new provinces
February 18, 2025 22:41 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto is focusing on building infrastructure in the four new provinces of Papua, namely Central Papua, Highland Papua, South Papua, and Southwest Papua.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono conveyed this at a press conference here on Tuesday after a limited meeting with the President.
"The President wants the development of eastern Indonesia, especially Papua, to be a major focus, especially with the creation of new autonomous regions — the four new provinces — which need the government's attention and support for infrastructure," he said.
According to him, the four new provinces currently lack proper government centers.
Therefore, the government wants to boost development, thereby providing important infrastructure like land, housing, and transportation.
In addition, the transmigration program is expected to help create new economic opportunities in these areas.
"This is where the regional governments are expected to prepare the land and then ask the central government, in this case, the Ministry of Public Works, to build the government centers," he said.
He informed that the government center development will include the governor's office, the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), and the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP).
The aim of the development is to create sufficient infrastructure so that local governments in the four regions can work optimally, he said.
On Tuesday, President Prabowo called Yudhoyono and several other ministers to discuss infrastructure issues.
Minister of Transmigration, Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara; Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo; and Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Maruarar Sirait, among others, also joined the meeting.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Educational Monitoring Network (JPPI) has condemned the repressive actions by the police against students who held demonstrations rejecting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Jayapura and Wamena, Papua. The peaceful demonstration was forcibly dispersed by the authorities, who were allegedly using physical violence and tear gas.
JPPI National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji stated that the violence against studentspeacefully expressing their aspirations is a serious violation of human rights and freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution. "We also regret reports of students being beaten and detained by the police," he said in a written statement on Monday, February 17, 2025.
JPPI urged the government to thoroughly investigate these repressive actions and ensure that the involved authorities receive appropriate legal sanctions. In addition, JPPI demanded the unconditional release of the detained students and the fulfillment of the right to free and quality education for all students in Papua, in accordance with Article 31 of the 1945 Constitution.
JPPI called on all elements of society, including civil organizations, media, and public figures, to collectively uphold law enforcement against this repressive action and ensure the fulfillment of educational rights for all children of the nation.
Thousands of students in Wamena, Papua Pegunungan, held demonstrations in rejection of the free nutritious meals policy. The police estimated that around 3,500 students participated in the demonstration."The demonstration was attended by junior high school, high school students, and university students, and began early this morning," said Operations Chief of Jayawijaya Regional Police Commissioner Police Suparmanto to Tempo via telephone on Monday, February 17, 2025.
At the time of writing this news, Supramanto stated that the demonstration was still ongoing. The thousands of students were currently in front of the office of the Regent of Jayawijaya in Papua Pegunungan. "We are facilitating an audience to prevent unrest and undesirable events," he said.
The thousands of students took to the streets at 08:00 local time. According to the police, the students came from Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, and Yahukimo Regency. Based on videos seen by Tempo, they voiced their rejection of the policy of free nutritious meals initiated by President Prabowo Subianto.
"Reject free nutritious meals, give us free education," was written on one of the banners. Asken Yohans, one of the students participating in the demonstration, stated that he and thousands of students in Wamena and Papua in general need access to free education and adequate school facilities. "We don't want free nutritious meals, what we want is easy schooling, easy access to medical treatment, that's it," he said to Tempo over the phone.
According to Asken, the free nutritious meals policy will not allow him and his friends to study peacefully. In addition to the fundamental issue of unfinished education in Papua Pegunungan, access to healthcare facilities is also minimal.
Asken mentioned that the education situation in Wamena is adequate. The same goes for access to healthcare facilities. However, Papua Pegunungan is not just Wamena.
"Our friends who live far from Wamena, in remote districts, they can't go to school, the schools are there but they are of poor quality, teachers are often absent. We want free education and healthcare, not free nutritious meals," he said.Various forms of rejection were also recorded in a video report posted on @infowamena's Instagram account. One video clip showed a student delivering a speech in front of thousands of people dressed in gray and white attire.
The student stated that free nutritious meals were not a solution to the problems in Papua. He said that the students' aspirations must be conveyed to the president. "Let's continue to move forward, and we want this to be heard by the regent, the governor, and the president," he said.
Based on video footage seen by Tempo, the student demonstrations became chaotic. Disturbances occurred around 09:00 WIT (Eastern Indonesian Time), when the crowd moved towards the cross tower located in front of the office of the Regent of Jayawijaya. The unrest took place on Hom-hom Street, a few hundred meters from the office of the Regent of Jayawijaya.
Asken said that the police fired tear gas towards the crowd of students. The student formation was disrupted due to the tear gas shots.
"There were several rounds of tear gas shots, initially the police didn't allow us to move forward," he said.
The police confirmed that the student demonstration became chaotic and tear gas was fired. However, the police stated that the tear gas shots were carried out according to procedure. The reason for firing tear gas was due to stone throwing from the crowd towards the authorities on duty.
"Tear gas was used as a preventive measure to prevent the unrest from spreading," said Operations Chief of Jayawijaya Regional Police Commissioner Police Suparmanto.
Supramanto stated that the stone throwing came from a group wearing casual clothes. "There were indeed stone throwing incidents, it seems that it was not from the students," he said.
He stated that the unrest did not last long. Students who requested to meet with the acting governor had now gathered in front of the office of the Regent of Jayawijaya.
"The situation is now conducive. The students are currently in an audience with the acting governor and are accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Jayawijaya Police," he said.
Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article.
2) Thousands of Papua Students Protest to Demand Free Meals; Prefer Free Education
Reporter Rizki Dewi Ayu
February 18, 2025 | 11:48 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of students in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, PapuaHighlands Province, staged a protest against the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program on Monday, February 17. The demonstration was attended by junior high school (SMP), senior high school (SMA), and university students.
It is estimated that around 3,500 students participated in the protest. According to police reports, they came from Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, and Yahukimo Regency.
“We facilitated a meeting to avoid chaos and unforeseen incidents,” said Police Commissioner Suparmanto, Head of Operations for the Jayawijaya Police, in a phone interview withTempoon Monday, February 17.
Asken Yohans, a student who joined the protest, stated that he and thousands of other students in Wamena and Papua, in general, need access to free education and proper school facilities.
“We don’t want free nutritious meals; what we want is easy access to education and healthcare, that’s all,” Yohans told Tempo over the phone.
Asken explained that the Free Nutritious Meals policy would not help him and his peers focus on their studies. “The issue of basic education remains unresolved in Papua Highlands. Healthcare facilities are also still very limited,” he said.
While he acknowledged that the state of education and healthcare in Wamena is relatively adequate, he emphasized that Papua Highlands is not limited to just Wamena.
“Our friends who live far from Wamena, in remote districts, can’t go to school. They have schools, but they are in poor condition. Teachers are often absent. We want free education and healthcare, not free nutritious meals,” he said.
National Nutrition Agency's Response
The head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, declined to comment on the rejection of the free nutritious meals program in Papua. He stated that the objection is related to other issues in the region.
“This is no longer an issue about the Free Nutritious Meals program, but about something else,” Dadan said when met at the Ministry of Village Development in Jakarta on Monday, February 17.
Regarding the rejection of Free Nutritious Meals in Papua, Dadan asked not to be questioned about it. He stated that this matter should be addressed by the Indonesian National Army (TNI) or the police. “The ones who should explain this are the Indonesian National Army, the police, or the national intelligence agency,” he said.
Nandito Putra, Dian Rahma Fika, and M. Raihan Muzzaki contributed to the writing of this article.
3) Palace Responds to Free Nutritious Meals Rejection in Papua's Wamena
Reporter Hendrik Yaputra
February 17, 2025 | 07:17 pm
TEMPO.CO,Jakarta- Presidential Communication Office Head Hasan Nasbi responded to the protest against thefree nutritious mealprogram in Papua. According to him, every individual has the right to reject the program and refuse to enjoy nutritious food.
However, Hasan requested that protesters not demand the cancelation of the free nutritious meal program, as some communities want to enjoy this program.
"If they want to say 'no need to give us (free meals),' that's okay. But if it leads to protests for cancellation and rejection, it obstructs the rights of others," he said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, February 17, 2025.
Furthermore, Hasan hoped that the rejection would not lead to violence. Once again, he provided space for the community to express their opinions.
"People are welcome to protest and express their opinions. But don't let it lead to violence," said Hasan.
Thousands of students in Wamena, Papua Highlands, held a demonstration to reject the free nutritious meal program. The police estimated around 3,500 students were participating in the protest.
"The demonstration was attended by junior high, senior high school students, and university students and has been ongoing since this morning," Jayawijaya Police Ops Section Chief Police Commissioner Suparmanto told Tempo through a phone call on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Based on video footage seen by Tempo, the student demonstration was briefly chaotic. The riot occurred around 09:00 a.m. local time when the crowd moved towards the cross tower in front of the Jayawijaya Regent's office. The riot happened on Hom-hom Street, a few hundred meters from the Jayawijaya Regent's office.
National Nutrition Agency Head Dadan Hindayana declined to comment on the rejection of free nutritious meals in Papua. According to him, the rejection concerns other issues in the region.
"This problem is no longer about the nutritious meal program, but it has to do with other issues," said Dadan when met at the Ministry of Village PDT, Central Jakarta, on Monday.
Nandito Putra and M Raihan Muzzaki contributed to this report.
On 8 February 2025, five Papuan students were arbitrarily arrested without an arrest warrant by plainclothes officers in Jayapura. The students were identified as Mr Frengky Anouw,Mr Nataniel Pigai, Mr Fransiskus Petege, Mr Esau Kogoya, and Mr Yosua Mote. The arrest occurred while a dozen officers raided a boarding house in the Kamkey Area at 9:20 pm. The students were forcefully detained, their hands were bound, and their eyes were covered. The officers forced the students to enter an emergency response vehicle, which brought them to the Abepura Sub-District Police Station.
After arriving at Abe Police Station at 10:00 p.m., the students were subjected to interrogation for two hours later and held in custody overnight. The following morning, at 8:30 am, they were transferred to Jayapura District Police Station in Sentani, where they remained detained until their release on 11 February 2025, at 11:15 am. The students were reportedly arrested based on false accusations of involvement in a motorcycle theft operation at a nearby boarding house. However, no evidence linked them to the alleged crime, making their detention an act of wrongful arrest.
According to the victims, they were subjected to torture and intimidation during their detention. Reports indicate that the students were beaten at the time of arrest and during interrogation at Abepura Police Station (see table below). Their eyes were covered with duct tape, and they suffered bruises on their faces and bodies. Despite sustaining injuries, their health has since improved following their release.
The families of the detained students were left uninformed of their whereabouts throughout the detention period. Despite inquiries made at various police stations, they were unable to obtain any clear information regarding the students’ status.
Names of the arrested students and reported abuses
No
Name
Age
Reported Abuse
1
Frengky Anouw
22
Beaten on the face with duct tape covering his eyes; suffered bruises on the face and body.
2
Nataniel Pigai
23
Beaten on the face with eyes covered; suffered facial and bodily bruises.
3
Fransiskus Petege
24
Beaten on the face with eyes taped shut; sustained facial and body bruises.
4
Esau Kogoya
24
Beaten on the face with eyes covered; experienced bruises on the face and body.
5
Yosua Mote
22
Beaten on the face with eyes covered in duct tape; suffered bruises on the face and body.
Before the 18th century Enlightenment, church and state in Europe were one. In Indonesia, fears that Islam will infiltrate civic affairs go back to the founding of the Republic. Instead, the threats are not from the mosques, but the military.
The nation with more Muslims than any other state is constitutionally secular, but it’s heading towards a stratocracy.
Since becoming the eighth president, Prabowo Subianto has been bringing khaki into national and regional public offices following the policy of second President Suharto from the last century.
Prabowo’s former father-in-law called it Dwifungsi – two functions. It was widely discredited and grossly inefficient. Unelected generals had reserved seats in the Parliament; lesser ranks were posted to run departments where they had few wanted skills.
Suharto was a former general. Likewise Prabowo, though his history is ignominious; in 1998 he was cashiered for disobeying orders. He fled to exile in Jordan, but he’s now back imposing his military fantasies and undermining democracy.
He’s even forced his overstocked 109-strong ministry (13 are women) into fatigues and humiliating parades. Like Donald Trump, he plans to scrap the awkward and costly elections and bring back appointments. As in the US, these jobs would go to mates, rellies and donors.
The policy in the world’s fourth-largest country isn’t confined to setting up regional military centres; it’s also putting lower ranks into menial jobs, delivering LPG gas bottles to the poor and lunches to school kids. This isn’t assuaging hunger, but creating fear in West Papua.
About 5000 soldiers from other provinces have been hunting tribesmen demanding independence; a low-level guerilla war has been underway in the mountains and jungles for about 50 years.
Civilian families in the occupied province hate being shadowed by armed men and are wary of their intentions, for one of their tactics is torture. Now they’re dishing out food.
The imagination flares: What better way to subdue dissidents than by poisoning their food? There’s no evidence that’s happening, but the fear is real. Who couldn’t have foreseen the reaction?
The lunch box program comes from a promise last year by Prabowo during the presidential election campaign, which he won. Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG free nutritious meals) was poorly planned and is now being badly executed.
The Papuans’ distrust has been reinforced by the story of 40 students from a school in Central Java throwing up after gulping down free meals. Indonesian media reports claimed dozens had fallen ill in North Kalimantan. Poor hygiene has been blamed.
MBG is a worthy bid to curb stunting that cripples about 20% of the next generation. (The Australian figure is 2.3%.)
Lousy diets plus poor access to services, particularly in remote regions, are blamed by UNICEF for the tragedy. Two of five children under five don’t get basic food groups.
Other factors: Pregnant mums need top-quality tucker. Anything less lets in infections that stunt the babe’s growth in the womb. Six per cent of newborns are underweight.
With these figures it’s clear education on pregnancy and child rearing is as important as free food. A whole-of-problem strategy is needed.
The original budget allocation of Rp 15,000 ($1.50) for an MBG meal was slashed by Prabowo to Rp 10,000 – a sum too small for wholesome ingredients, cooking and delivery. So the armed forces have been recruited, distressing a society where trust is as short as protein.
“The people of Papua are complaining and rejecting the free nutritious food for school children because the food is provided by the TNI (Army) and Polri (police),” local religious leader Wenior Pakage told the media.
“They’re afraid for their children that they’ll be murdered with poison, resulting in an extermination. The community wants the program scrapped and the funds transferred to pay school fees so students can obtain knowledge for free.”
Hundreds of kids in uniform reportedly left classes and protested in the streets of Yahukimo Regency, waving banners rejecting MBG. The story can’t be independently verified because the foreign media is banned from Papua.
Schooling is compulsory nationally and supposedly gratis, but fees for registration, books, uniforms, teacher gratuities, funds for new buildings and other imposts are common. They’re usually masked as “donations” and vary from school to school.
The money to make learning free is here in abundance, literally underfoot. Papua is where Croesus took a breather and stayed.
The western half of the island of New Guinea has a population of around four million. The indigenous people are nominally Christian; the newcomers are mainly Muslim. They’ve migrated from Java, contractors and miners to work on the Grasberg opencut and underground copper and gold mines, among the largest in the world.
This joint venture between the Indonesian Government and the US company Freeport has a workforce of more than 30,000. In 2023, it reportedly generated a net income of US$3.16 billion.
Prabowo is no cheerleader for democracy and reportedly wants funds “redirected to public welfare projects, including providing free meals for schoolchildren”. Who’d think the savings might go elsewhere in a country shot through with corruption?
The MBG idea seems worthwhile, but its implementation has hit many snags apart from Papua fear and Central Java food poisoning. Unpalatable meals and insufficient funds are also among the complaints.
Project head Dadan Hindayana wants an extra US$6.11 billion just to reach a quarter of the target of 83 million by the end of 2025.
Prabowo’s reputation with the wong cilik (the masses) rides on making the MBG work and the scheme permanent. This can’t be done on dollar a day meals without using bad food and the military as waiters.
To do good, the president’s kitchen needs cleanliness, a new menu and professional caterers. Any tariff shake-up will mean less money for the army.
For a pseudo-military man who has been out of the bang-bang business for 27 years, but still sees it as the way to go, a massive makeover might seem indigestible. But it’s doomed without a huger cash uplift.
That may come from savings elsewhere, though nothing specific. One suggestion is for the meals to be cut to one a week, an idea horrifying nutritionists.
“It should be for five days to match the nutritional adequacy measure,” said expert Tengku Syahdana. “If for one day, the needs can’t be met.”
Duncan Graham
Duncan Graham has been a journalist for more than 40 years in print, radio and TV. He is the author of People Next Door (UWA Press). He is now writing for the English language media in Indonesia from within Indonesia. Duncan Graham has an MPhil degree, a Walkley Award, two Human Rights Commission awards and other prizes for his radio, TV and print journalism in Australia. He lives in East Java.
2) Human Rights Monitor raises alarm over security forces targeting advocates in Papua
7:39 am today
The international watchdog group, Human Rights Monitor (HRM), has spoken out about human rights defenders in West Papua, Indonesia, being put under surveillance.
Tineke Rumkabu was questioned by security force officials, wearing full military gear, at the end of a church service in Biak, Papua in late January.
The officials, according to HRM, claimed that the supposed church meeting was a gathering in support of independence.
Rumkabu, a human rights defender in Papua, denied this and viewed the confrontation as an act of intimidation.
HRM said the arbitrary actions of the security forces raise concerns about violations of human rights, particularly the right to safety and freedom from harassment.
Rumkabu and her family have faced intimidation from the security forces before - in 2023, after she spoke via Zoom to a conference in London, in which she testified about state violence in West Papua and the plight of internally displaced people.
