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https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/taxpayer-funded-australian-institute
1) Taxpayer-funded Australian sugar institute linked to abuses in West PapuaSugar Research Australia developed a sugarcane variety to grow in West Papua – months later, the UN accused Indonesian companies of displacing Indigenous peoples to make way for sugarcane production.
ROYCE KURMELOVS JUN 30, 2026A sugar research organisation funded by the Australian government is under scrutiny for its links to an Indonesian company allegedly involved in forcibly displacing Indigenous people and widespread deforestation in West Papua.
In July 2024, Sugar Research Australia (SRA) – which received $9.4m in taxpayer money that year – agreed to supply genetically modified sugarcane varietals to Indonesian company, PT Global Papua Abadi (GPA). The varietals were designed to be more pest and disease resistant in the tropical West Papuan climate, where sugarcane has historically been difficult to grow.
According to a December 2025 Greenpeace investigation, a consortium of ten Indonesian companies have so far been granted concessions for sugarcane cultivation covering 560,000 hectares in the Merauke region of West Papua, in what it described as “the world’s largest deforestation project”.
Indigenous peoples in West Papua made formal objections to the sugar plantation development as early as June 2024. Since then, nine UN Special Rapporteurs have co-signed two letters to the Indonesian government alleging companies in the area have been forcibly displacing Indigenous people, first in October 2024 and again in March 2025.
allegations of abuses and deforestation
To produce 1.2m kilolitres of sugar, some additional 700,000 hectares will be carved out of the forest in Merauke – an area about three-fifths the size of Sydney and larger than the island of Bali.
In the most recent letter from the UN, PT Global Papua Abadi and Pt Murni Nusantara Mandiri, itself a member of the GPA group, were alleged to have been allowed “to clear land, covering vast areas that overlap with the customary territories of these Indigenous tribes” with the assistance of the Indonesian military.
This reportedly included the construction of a battalion headquarters on the traditional land of the Kwipalo clan and the current site of a plantation operated by GPA.
“We are deeply concerned about reports of intimidation, criminalisation and threats against community leaders and environmental defenders that voiced concerns about the … projects,” the letter said.
“These appear to be linked to the exercise of their right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and their calls for the protection of the communities’ rights to food, water, health and a healthy environment.”
The Indonesian government rejected these allegations, saying the development has been carried out in accordance with existing law and that “to date, no request has been submitted by any party for the area in question to be classified as customary land”.
A recent documentary-style film, Pesta Babi, sought to capture the devastation but has since been banned by Indonesian censors. The family of a prominent environmental campaigner and Marind tribeswoman, Yastina Moiwend, who appeared in the film, accused the Indonesian military of kidnapping her in May following its release.
The Australian link
SRA’s transfer of the genetically modified plant material appears to have enabled the aggressive development of sugarcane plantations across West Papua and in the district of Merauke since.
An SRA spokesperson said that the contract was “terminated in November 2024” with “no current or future intention of having any further involvement with the company in any capacity, commercially or otherwise”. But they did not clarify the circumstance under which the contract was ended, or whether the company retains rights to cultivate the crop.
“SRA takes human rights and environmental issues seriously. SRA was not aware at the time of the engagement with PT GPA of the actions by both the Indonesian military and PT GPA in Merauke,” they told Deepcut.
SRA’s involvement was raised by Greens Senator David Shoebridge and Coalition Senator Paul Scarr during a Senate committee hearing in late May.
Scarr questioned why an Australian research institution had assisted Indonesian companies that were in direct competition with local producers but were not subject to similar environmental or human rights standards.
Victoria Anderson, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF), stressed in the hearing that SRA was an independent organisation that “makes their own decisions” and has “their own accountable authority” separate to her department.
SRA director worked for Indonesian company
Over the course of the hearing, Anderson was also asked to clarify her department’s understanding of the concurrent roles of Mark Day as non-executive director at SRA and the head of mills at GPA in 2024. Day later took up a full-time position with the Indonesian company.
Day, a long-time figure in the Queensland and Indonesian sugar industry, previously served as CEO of Mackay Sugar, the head of Indonesian Sugar Estates and a former General Manager with CSR.
Anderson said she was similarly unaware of the circumstances surrounding Day’s role, but said DAFF would investigate the matter further.
Deepcut sought comment from Day via his employer. A GPA spokesperson responded saying it “will not be providing comments on the matters raised”.
An SRA spokesperson said “Mr Day himself had flagged early in the engagement that he would have a potential conflict of interest.”
“To manage this, he was excluded from all board decisions and board papers regarding the engagement with PT GPA,” they said.
“Mr Day was subsequently put on a leave of absence from the Board. He resigned from the Board in February 2024 as his ongoing dealings with the Indonesian sugar industry made it untenable for him to continue to serve as a director of SRA. Mr Day has not been involved with SRA since his resignation.”
Deepcut does not suggest that Day committed any wrongdoing.
Calls for accountability
Speaking after the hearing, David Shoebridge said Indonesia’s activity in West Papua may be a difficult issue for Australia but there were “potentially very serious ramifications from this” and that “there needs to be political accountability”.
“Australia can’t, on the one hand, openly cause further dispossession, further violence against West Papuans and on the other hand step away from the issue.”
———————————————https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/indigenous-byak-communities-protest-planned-national-spaceport-over-alleged-violations-of-customary-land-rights/2) Indigenous Byak communities protest planned national Spaceport over alleged violations of customary land rights
Indigenous Byak communities in Saukobye (Warbon) Village, North Biak District, Biak Numfor Regency, carried out a series of peaceful customary actions during June 2026 to oppose Indonesia’s planned National Spaceport. The actions included the declaration of Sasi Adat, the erection of a customary prohibition marker (Orwarek) in the form of a red cross, a boycott of a government consultation meeting, and public opposition to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Papua Provincial Government and the Biak Numfor Regency Government. Indigenous representatives and the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) allege that the project is proceeding without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the customary rights holders, while government authorities maintain that the project constitutes a strategic national development initiative.
Background
The proposed National Spaceport would expand upon the existing former National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) site in North Biak District. Indigenous representatives state that the underlying customary land dispute has remained unresolved for decades and argue that any further development should only proceed following meaningful consultation with, and the consent of, the recognised customary rights holders. Government planning documents and Indigenous representatives have cited different estimates regarding the size of the proposed project area.
Chronology of Events
4 June 2026
Kainkain Karkara Byak (The House of Byak Tribes) formally notified the Biak Numfor District Police of a peaceful customary gathering to be held the following day in Saukobye (Warbon) Village. According to the notification, the event would commemorate World Environment Day while expressing opposition to what organisers described as unilateral claims by LAPAN and BRIN over customary land.
5 June 2026
The gathering proceeded as planned. Participants held discussions, issued a public statement, erected a customary prohibition marker (Orwarek) and declared Sasi Adat over the disputed customary territory. Organisers described the actions as peaceful customary measures intended to protect Indigenous land, forests, coastal areas and marine resources.
11 June 2026
Representatives of Kainkain Karkara Byak reportedly boycotted a government and BRIN consultation concerning the proposed National Spaceport, stating that participation would legitimise a planning process that had proceeded without resolving the underlying customary land dispute.
12–13 June 2026
On 12 June, the Biak Numfor Regency Government issued an official invitation to the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the National Spaceport between BRIN, the Papua Provincial Government and the Biak Numfor Regency Government. The ceremony was held on 13 June 2026 in Biak.
According to Indigenous representatives, members of the Warbon Indigenous community also erected customary barriers at the entrance to Saukobye (Warbon) Village on 13 June and reiterated their rejection of the proposed project, maintaining that the recognised customary rights holders had not consented to the use of their ancestral land.
17–19 June 2026
LBH Papua issued a series of public statements criticising the project and arguing that it failed to comply with the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The organisation called on the Government of Indonesia to suspend further project implementation until the customary land dispute had been resolved and urged relevant state institutions to investigate alleged violations of Indigenous peoples’ rights.
Responses from Authorities
Government representatives have described the National Spaceport as a strategic national project intended to strengthen Indonesia’s space programme and promote scientific research, technological innovation and regional economic development. During the MoU signing ceremony, officials highlighted Biak’s location near the equator as a strategic advantage for satellite launches and stated that the project would create opportunities for education, employment and investment. Government representatives also stated that consultation activities had been conducted with local communities.
These statements have been disputed by representatives of the Warbon Indigenous community, Kainkain Karkara Byak and LBH Papua, who maintain that the recognised customary rights holders have consistently withheld their consent to the project.
Human Rights Analysis
If the allegations are substantiated, the case may raise concerns regarding Indonesia’s obligation to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples to participate in decisions affecting their customary lands and resources. The allegations engage the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent as reflected in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), as well as constitutional protections afforded to Indigenous customary communities under Indonesian law.
The peaceful customary actions undertaken by the Indigenous community also engage the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under international human rights law.
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-093-2026
Region: Indonesia > Papua > Biak Numfor > North Biak
Total number of victims: dozensPeriod of incident: 04/06/2026 – 20/06/2026
# Number of Victims Name, Details Gender Age Group Affiliation Violations 1. dozens diverse unknown Indigenous Peoples cultural rights
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Government
Issues: business, human rights and FPIC———————-3) Indigenous Papuan arbitrarily arrested during security force raid in Dekai
A civilian was reportedly arbitrarily detained during a joint TNI–POLRI operation in Dekai Town, Yahukimo Regency, on 19 June 2026. According to information received by Human Rights Monitor, security forces raided a house behind GIDI Braza Church, damaged household property, and arrested Bonusi Kobak. His whereabouts remained unknown at the time of reporting.
Chronology of Events
According to initial information received, on Friday, 19 June 2026, at approximately 05:30 Papua Time, joint TNI–POLRI personnel entered the area behind GIDI Braza Church in Kali Woo, Dekai Town.
During the operation, security personnel reportedly damaged household belongings, including clothing and kitchen utensils. They then arrested Bonusi Kobak, a 27-year-old civilian (see photo) who was reportedly visiting relatives in the Braza area. According to the information received, he was taken away by the security forces, and his whereabouts remained unknown at the time of writing.
Human Rights Analysis
If substantiated, the reported arrest may constitute arbitrary detention under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The reported destruction of civilian property also raises concerns about the protection of homes and private property during security operations.
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-092-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 1Period of incident: 19/06/2026 – 19/06/2026
# Number of Victims Name, Details Gender Age Group Affiliation Violations 1. 1 Bonusi Kobak male 27 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Perpetrators:
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > Indonesian National Police (POLRI)
Issues: indigenous peoples—————-4) Indigenous Papuan arbitrarily arrested in Dekai
An Indigenous Papuan man was reportedly arbitrarily detained by members of the Indonesian Marine Corps (Marinir) in Dekai Town, Yahukimo Regency, on 17 June 2026. According to information received, the victim, Heri Sohona Bahabol, also known as Heri Asuk (see photo), was arrested without explanation and remained in detention at the time of reporting.
Chronology of Events
According to information received, Heri Sohona Bahabol (29), from Liligan Village, Ninia District, Yahukimo Regency, was arrested on 17 June 2026, at approximately 11:23 am near Jalan SMP Metanoia in Dekai Town. He had recently travelled from his home village to Dekai.
The victim was reportedly arrested by members of the Indonesian Marine Corps in the Kali Woo area. According to the information received, he was later transferred to the Yahukimo District Police (Polres Yahukimo), where he remained in detention at the time of writing.
Human Rights Analysis
If substantiated, the arrest may constitute arbitrary detention in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The authorities are required to ensure that anyone deprived of liberty is informed of the reasons for their arrest, has access to legal safeguards, and is promptly brought before the competent judicial authorities.
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-091-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 1Period of incident: 17/06/2026 – 17/06/2026
# Number of Victims Name, Details Gender Age Group Affiliation Violations 1. 1 Heri Sohona Bahabol male 29 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
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