The Australian chapter of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) held its first public meeting on Monday 17th August at Parliament House in Canberra.
This historic meeting, which took place on the same day as the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day, was hosted by Senator David Shoebridge, IPWP Vice Chair for Australia, and marks a new chapter in regional parliamentary solidarity with the people of West Papua.
In his opening remarks, Senator Shoebridge said the meeting was fundamentally about ‘’truth telling’’. Though Australia remains regional friends with Indonesia, it is the duty of a good friend to tell the truth to each other, including the human rights abuses in the region and Indonesia’s denial off West Papuans right to control their destiny, land, culture and their language. The Australian Greens senator expressed his ongoing commitment to ensure that the issue of West Papua is raised and contested.
A West Papuan delegation comprising of representatives from Melbourne and London brought the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in West Papua directly before Australian parliamentarians. Amongst the delegation was ULMWP President Benny Wenda, who opened with a clear message that Australia has a moral obligation, as the biggest country in the Pacific region, to safeguard the people of West Papua. He called on all parliamentarians to continue putting pressure on the Australian government especially in the lead up to the 2026 Pacific Islands forum (PIF) in Palau, reminding them of the Joint resolution made at PIF 2019 which urged the Indonesian government to allow the UN high commissioner to visit West Papua. In his speech President Wenda also acknowledged the brave efforts of the many West Papuans, especially the KNPB, who rallied on the streets both in West Papua and Indonesia against the 1962 New York Agreement.
Dr. Siobhan McDonnell, who sat amongst the West Papuan speakers, spoke to the ongoing destruction of New Guinea’s virgin rainforest, reminding Parliamentarians: ’what is being destroyed is the equivalent of the amazon rainforest’’ and Indonesian government is not being held to account.
The meeting room was also filled with the Testimonies and speeches of West Papuans especially the young voices of students and those from displaced refugee backgrounds especially in Yahukimo. The meeting comes at a critical time. According to figures provided by Franciscans International in collaboration with the world council of churches, more than 125,931 West Papuans were internally displaced as of July 2026. Indonesia also continues to deny access to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), despite sustained international calls for an independent human rights visit to West Papua.
The meeting was attended by Australian parliamentarians from various parties, such as Senator Paul Scarr (Liberal National Party) and Hon Ged Kearney MP (Labour Party), demonstrating that concern for human rights and the humanitarian situation in West Papua can and should extend beyond party politics.
Jayapura, Jubi – The headquarters of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Puncak Jaya regency, Central Papua, was reportedly attacked by the Indonesian military between August 16 and 19, 2026.
The information was conveyed by TPNPB-OPM (Free Papua Movement) spokesperson Sebby Sambom in a written statement on Thursday (20/08/2026).
Sambom said the report came from TPNPB General Operations Commander Major General Lekagak Telenggen at the group’s headquarters in Puncak Jaya and was relayed to the management of the TPNPB Central Command.
“Indonesian military personnel carried out bomb attacks using military drones against the TPNPB headquarters in Puncak Jaya. Dozens of drone strikes were launched from an Indonesian military base on a neighbouring mountain toward the TPNPB headquarters on another mountain,” Sambom said.
According to Sambom, the drone strikes damaged the compound’s grounds, walls and roof, mainly as a result of the shockwaves from the explosions.
He said Major General Lekagak Telenggen reported that the initial bombing took place on Sunday, August 16, from around 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Papua Time (WIT), involving 10 drones.
“The attacks were carried out repeatedly. However, there were no casualties on the TPNPB side. The attacks continued until Wednesday (August 19), involving nine drones launched at around 9:19 a.m. [WIT] and continuing into the afternoon. There were no casualties, but the grounds were damaged and parts of the headquarters were destroyed by bomb fragments and the impact of explosions on the ground,” he said.
The TPNPB Central Command called on the Indonesian government to immediately apply international humanitarian law to the armed conflict in Papua between the TPNPB and Indonesian military forces.
“The use of military equipment during the war must be proportionate to prevent civilian casualties. We urge Indonesian military personnel to immediately withdraw from civilian settlements and remove military posts from residents’ compounds so that retaliatory attacks by the TPNPB do not put civilians at risk,” Sambom said. (*)
Protests across West Papua on August 15 marked 64 years since a United States-brokered deal between the Netherlands and Indonesia robbed West Papuans of their right to self determination.
The 1962 New York Agreement brought the former Dutch colony under Indonesian control.
Police attacked hundreds of members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and students from Cenderawasih University (Uncen) in Jayapura City on August 15, after security forces blocked the protest from marching to the Jayapura Regent's Office.
According to Jubi, three demonstrators were shot and several others injured when police clashed with protesters in the residential housing area of Perumnas III Waena in Heram District. Frengky Kabak, the Deputy Chair of the Uncen Student Executive Board, was one of the students shot by police.
The Uncen Student Consultative Assembly is urging the Royal Papua New Guinea Regional Police to take responsibility for the shootings.
A spokesperson for the students said Kabak was admitted to hospital after being shot, while two other victims were cared for by their families. They warned of broader student protests if responsibility was not taken.
The protesters had been planning to march to the Papuan People's Representative Council (DPR) office, to present their demands but police had blocked them.
After trying to negotiate with police, a scuffle broke out as officers attempted to disperse the protest. Police fired tear gas and water cannon at the demonstrators.
Hundreds of police remained in the area after the protest had been dispersed.
On the same day, demonstrators in the Sentani area were also blocked by security forces, according to the Sentani regional head of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB), Sadrack Lagowan. He said the demonstration had been part of a national KNPB action, entitled “Papua, a military and humanitarian emergency zone” and the crowd from Sere and Theys Field marched to Post 7 “where they were met by security forces using water cannons”.
The KNPB had tried to submit official notifications to government and security institutions for the peaceful protest, but were intimidated and attacked by police while attempting to do so.
Australia-West Papua Association (AWPA) spokesperson Joe Collins said: “We are told by governments that the human rights situation in West Papua is improving. However, the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators on August 15 proves otherwise”.
Under the New York Agreement, the Dutch were to leave the colony of West New Guinea (West Papua) and transfer sovereignty to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority. After seven months, the UN would transfer power to Indonesia, on the proviso that a referendum be held to determine Papuan preference for independence or integration with Indonesia.
Indonesia held a sham referendum on independence in 1969 — the so-called Act of Free Choice. West Papuans call this the “Act of no free choice”, because Indonesia handpicked 1025 people to vote on behalf of all Papuans and, under coercion, they voted to remain with Indonesia.
“Every year West Papuans commemorate this tragic event in their history. In the past, security forces have responded with a heavy-handed approach to any demonstrations on August 15,” Collins said.
During the August 2024 commemoration, police forcibly dispersed peaceful protests in the towns of Nabire, Wamena and Sentani, as well as in Jayapura City. Human Rights Monitor said about 222 protesters were arrested and 41 injured as police forces dispersed the crowd with batons, teargas and rubber bullets.
Meanwhile, clashes between the West Papua National Liberation Army and the Indonesian occupying forces continue.
The ongoing military operations in the territory have internally displaced more than 126,000 people. A Project Multatuli investigation found that West Papua now hosts 74,297 soldiers across 31 regencies. Of those, 17,780 are rotational troops drawn from across Indonesia. The cost of mobilising and sustaining their operations in Papua is estimated at Rp2.34 trillion (around A$182 million) a year.
Jubi reports that West Papuans report seeing more military personnel deployed in the territory with the Indonesian military using drone technology. A new drone command has been set up to support military operations in Papua.
In addition, Papuans have to contend with massive environmental destruction being caused by agricultural projects, such as the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate, and projects to convert forests into rice fields, sugarcane and palm oil plantations.
Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, August 30 to September 4, in Palau, Collins said: “The Australian government prefers to ignore the situation in West Papua.
“However, a simple action Canberra could do is to support and urge the Pacific Islands Forum leaders to again pressure Jakarta to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. That is what the West Papuans are asking for.”
JAKARTA: Nine women and children have reportedly been taken hostage by separatists from the Free Papua Movement (OPM) following an attack on an Indonesian Military (TNI) security post in Jila district, Mimika, Central Papua, that left one soldier and a civilian dead, authorities have claimed.
Mimika Military District Commander Lt. Col. Jozanda said the TNI immediately deployed personnel to pursue the suspected kidnappers after receiving reports from local residents that the group had taken the women and children hostage.
“Do not worry. We are in pursuit of the perpetrators,” Jozanda said in Timika on Wednesday as quoted by Kompas.com.
“We hope the soldiers carrying out the pursuit will be able to quickly locate and rescue the children,” he added.
According to Jozanda, the incident began when members of the armed separatist group allegedly attacked an Army post and the Jila Military Subdistrict Command (Koramil) from three directions on Indonesia’s Independence Day on Monday.
The attackers allegedly shot and killed one soldier and wounded two others during the assault, Jozanda said.
Security forces returned fire, forcing the armed group to retreat. As they fled towards a forested area, the rebels are believed to have abducted nine local women and children and took them with them.
Jozanda said that during the abduction, OPM rebels allegedly shot and killed a local woman who tried to prevent her daughter from being taken.
Another mother was allegedly pushed into a ravine but survived with broken bones.
He added that authorities only learned about the abductions on Wednesday, after soldiers visited the area to assess security conditions and check on residents following the attack.
It was during the sweep that people reported that several of their family members had been taken by OPM members.
Read also: OPM rebels kill three indigenous Papuans
Jila district is a remote, mountainous region located about 90 kilometres from Timika, the capital of Mimika regency.
Situated at an elevation of around 2,800 metres above sea level, the district has inadequate road access. It can only be reached by air, using small aircraft or helicopters from Timika.
The area has experienced recurring armed clashes between TNI personnel and OPM-affiliated groups in recent years.
Jozanda said the security situation in Jila had gradually stabilised following the attack. However, air transportation to the district remained unavailable, making access to the area difficult.
Mimika Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Alfredo Agustinus Rumbiak said on Wednesday that authorities had identified the nine civilians believed to be held hostage by the OPM.
They include Nemerina Wamang, 17, who is reportedly in the early stages of pregnancy; Alin Mesawarol, a sixth-grade elementary school pupil; Nopi Aim, a fourth-grade pupil; and Opinte Meswaro, a third-grade pupil.
The other five were identified as Yonita Senawatme, 18; Meria Nibilingame, 15; Wena Katagame, 18; Ilimin Onawame, 18; and Miante Nibilingame, 13.
Rumbiak said the Mimika Police would send a team to Jila to conduct a crime scene investigation and gather evidence related to the alleged abductions.
“We will conduct a crime scene investigation and deploy Mobile Brigade [Brimob] personnel to reinforce our colleagues at the Jila Police,” Rumbiak said as quoted by state news agency Antara.
Read also: Papua conflict uproots thousands while state assistance lags
The ambush in Jila district was part of a series of attacks launched by the OPM over the course of Independence Day.
Another shootout took place in Asologaima district (Kimbin) in Jayawijaya regency, Papua Highlands on Monday.
On Sunday, OPM rebels allegedly led by Botak Wanimbo shot a civilian, identified only as AS, in the Old Pertamina complex in Wenam district, Tolikara regency in Papua Highlands.
The victim was shot in his left leg and was evacuated by authorities.
Also on Sunday, TNI soldiers killed three suspected OPM rebels during a firefight inside a forest area in Eral Makawia district, Puncak regency in Central Papua. - Jakarta Post/ANN
Merauke, Jubi – The South Papua provincial government has been urged to involve Indigenous communities in the use of Rp26.8 billion in funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the REDD+ Result-Based Payment (RBP) scheme.
The funding is intended to ensure meaningful participation by Indigenous communities, particularly in protecting their rights and promoting sustainable forest management.
South Papua Regional Secretary Ferdinandus Kainakaimu said the success of the RBP REDD+ program would not be measured solely by whether its targets were achieved, but also by the extent to which Indigenous communities were meaningfully involved in its implementation.
“The success of this program will largely depend on the extent to which Indigenous communities can participate meaningfully, particularly in protecting their rights,” Ferdinandus said at the RBP REDD+ program kick-off event in Merauke, South Papua, on Thursday (20/08/2026).
Kainakaimu said the South Papua provincial government and WWF Indonesia had worked together from the planning stage through to the program’s implementation.
He said the collaboration provided an important foundation for strengthening environmental and forestry programs in the years ahead.
He also expressed his appreciation to WWF Indonesia, the Ministry of Environment and the regional government agencies involved in the process.
Ferdinandus said preparations for the program had been underway for more than a year, led by the South Papua Environmental, Forestry and Land Agency in collaboration with WWF Indonesia.
“We should appreciate the South Papua Environmental Agency, the Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Fund Management Agency, the Ministry of Finance, WWF Indonesia and all parties who have supported this process as it enters the implementation stage,” he said.
Ferdinandus called on all stakeholders to strengthen their cooperation and commitment to the program so that South Papua could become a sustainable and climate-resilient region while delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
Joko Tri Haryanto, president director of the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH) under the Ministry of Finance, said the Rp26.8 billion allocation was part of Green Climate Fund financing awarded to Indonesia based on emissions-reduction performance between 2014 and 2016.
Indonesia received US$103.8 million in GCF funding after reducing emissions by 20.25 million tonnes of CO2 during that period, including payments for non-carbon benefits.
Joko said the Rp26.8 billion allocated to South Papua would fund several activities, including supporting the FOLU Net Sink 2030 policy, rehabilitating 100 hectares of land, preventing forest fires through community-based initiatives, strengthening livelihoods through access to social forestry, upgrading production facilities and protecting community rights through participatory mapping.
He said the funding should be viewed as seed funding to establish a foundation for environmental and forest management while creating opportunities for sustainable investment in South Papua.
“Without community-based mapping of territories, we cannot attract investment,” he said.
Joko said the RBP REDD+ funding in South Papua would be channelled indirectly, with WWF Indonesia serving as the intermediary organisation.
He stressed that the program must comply with safeguard principles, including grievance mechanisms, gender mainstreaming, transparency, monitoring, governance, risk mitigation and compliance with environmental and social standards.
Meanwhile, WWF Indonesia Director of Forests and Wildlife Muhammad Ali Imron said the Rp26.8 billion project would run for three years, or approximately 36 months.
The program is aimed at strengthening policies and institutions, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, accelerating ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration, and strengthening forest protection and the rights of Indigenous communities.
“The success of this program will not be measured simply by whether the activities are completed, but by the tangible changes they produce,” Ali said.
He said those changes were expected to include better protection of ecosystems, stronger government and community capacity, greater protection of Indigenous rights and expanded opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. (*)
