2) Thom Beanal, a true representative of indigenous Papuans
3) Benny Wenda Demands End to Indonesia’s Genocidal Attacks in West Papuan Highlands
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1) February 26, 1999, Papua's forgotten political history
February 27, 2026 in Politics, Law, and Security Reading Time: 3 mins read
Author: Aida Ulim - Editor: Arjuna Pademm
Jayapura, Jubi – Dr. Budi Hernawan, an Anthropology lecturer at the Driyarkara College of Philosophy (STF) in Jakarta, stated that February 26, 1999, was a crucial moment in the political history of modern Papua, one that is starting to be forgotten.
At that time, the late Thom Beanal led a team of 100 to meet with the third President of the Republic of Indonesia, B.J. Habibie, at the State Palace in Jakarta, to discuss the future of Papua.
This meeting is often considered a historic moment of dialogue between Papua and the central government at the beginning of the reform era.
"Why isn't February 26th commemorated as a historic day for the Papuan nation? [Even though] that event was a pivotal point in modern Papuan political history. After 27 years, through the era of the Papuan Council Presidium (PDP) and various public discussions, the younger generation is starting to forget the significance of that date," said Budi Hermawan.
Budi Hermawan made this statement while responding to the launch and review of Thom Beanal's three-part book series at the Christ the Light of the World Parish Hall in Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Thursday (February 26, 2026).
He said it's possible that many young Papuans no longer remember or understand the significance of February 26, 1999.
Yet, that event, more than just a political moment, also marked a turning point for a long reflection, later formulated under the term memoria passionis.
This term is borrowed from German theologian Johann Baptist Metz. In Metz's thinking, there are three types of memory: golden age memory, dark age memory, and memory that divides the center of life (memoria passionis).
He believes this last type of memory is relevant to Papua: memory that doesn't stop at nostalgia or trauma, but rather unravels today's reality and opens up future directions.
"We're not just remembering, but reviving history," he said.
Budi Hernawan also quoted a message from Papuan figure Rev. Dr. Benny Giay, who said, "Drink water from your own source."
This message is interpreted as an invitation for Papuans to write their own history reflectively, rather than simply posting or re-sharing narratives on social media.
According to Budi Hernawan, Indonesia is among the countries with the largest number of social media users in the world, yet its culture of reflective writing remains weak.
"This is happening in Papua, where more people are spreading than critically examining and documenting," he said.
Budi Hernawan questioned whether it was enough to simply remember Tom Beanal, or to revive his spirit and courage. Papua is part of a long history that continues to repeat itself.
"History is not just an old story, but a memory that demands responsibility today and the courage to face the future. Are we merely remembering, or are we reviving it?" he said.
In his reflection, Budi Hernawan highlighted three realities currently occurring in Papua. First, Papua has been divided into six provinces with six governors, six provincial Houses of Representatives (DPRD), six Papuan People's Assemblies (MRP), and a large bureaucratic apparatus.
Second, Papua is surrounded by investment from the Bird's Head region to South Papua or from Sorong to Merauke, with various plantation concessions, industrial plants, and national strategic projects stretching far and wide.
Third, Papua is surrounded by security forces. The number of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) personnel in Papua is said to be around 83,000, of which around 28,000 are combat troops. Meanwhile, the number of members of the West Papua National Liberation Front (TPNPB) is only around 1,438.
"Comparatively, his strength is about 58 times greater. It's like David versus Goliath."
Another commentator, Latifa Anum Siregar, Director of the Alliance for Democracy for Papua (AlDP), said that the book about Thom Beanal is very rich because it involves many authors and examines Thom Beanal from various perspectives.
"Thom [Beanal's] roles as a teacher, NGO activist, and traditional leader are all combined into one person, allowing his thoughts and struggles to penetrate various spaces," said Anum Siregar.
She said the political situation in Papua changed after the kidnapping and murder of Papuan figure Theys Hiyo Eluay on November 10, 2001. This incident left deep trauma.
At Theys Eluay's funeral, Thom Beanal stated that such deaths were not isolated incidents, but rather part of a series of violence that frequently occurs in Papua.
According to Anum, this statement now feels increasingly relevant, given the increase in armed conflict and civilian casualties in various regions.
"Violence is present in our backyard, in every corner of our lives. This is not a beautiful story, but a harsh reality," he said.
Anum Siregar stated that the idea of dialogue, once advocated by Thom Beanal in the 2000 Papuan Congress resolution, must also be re-emphasized as a path to peace that remains relevant today.
He reminded the younger generation that Thom Beanal's messages of struggle must be read, understood, and woven back into the fabric of Papua, so that they can become concrete actions and collective consolidation for the future of Papua. (*)
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A google translate.
Original Bahasa link
2) Thom Beanal, a true representative of indigenous Papuans
February 27, 2026 in Mamta Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Author: Aida Ulim - Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Jayapura, Jubi – Weynand Watory of the Papuan Customary Council (DAP) described the late Thom Beanal as a true representative of indigenous Papuans.
Watory said that Thom Beanal was shaped by strong cultural values from childhood, before being enriched by religion, education, and political experience.
"The core is still [shaped by] indigenous values, external values are only complementary," said Weynand Watory at the launch and review of a three-part book series about Thom Beanal at the Christ Terang Dunia Parish Hall in Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Thursday (February 26, 2026).
He said that Thom Beanal was a charismatic figure in his leadership. He was calm and did not talk much. He often conveyed ideas using traditional narratives and cultural wisdom.
His courage mirrors that of another Papuan figure, the late Theys Hiyi Eluay. He dared to speak up for truth and justice for his people.
"Both traditional leaders were born from the courage to defend the dignity and identity of the Papuan people," he said.
Watory stated that for the Papuan people, Thom Beanal is not just a historical legacy, but rather a spirit of freedom and Papuan identity that will live on in the community.
"Figures like Mr. Thom [Beanal] must continue to be remembered, and the values of his struggle must be passed on to the next generation," he said.
Thom Beanal is remembered not only as a traditional leader and figure in the Papuan struggle, but also as a father who passed on the values of freedom and identity to his family and the wider community.
Watory continued, saying that the biggest challenge today is preserving the identity of the younger generation of Papuans amidst the rapid influx of technology and foreign culture.
He said that many young indigenous Papuans are losing their regional languages and are increasingly distant from their cultural roots.
In fact, Papua has more than 300 ethnic groups with extraordinary cultural and natural riches. That's why the Papuan Customary Council is promoting the importance of human rights and democracy education that continues to instill traditional values.
Meanwhile, Florentinus Beanal, son of the late Thom Beanal, said that his father's leadership was not a quick or instantaneous process in his struggle.
Thom Beanal was raised as the son of a tribal chief, and from childhood was taught to understand the responsibilities of tradition, from the stone-burning tradition to building a house, to learning to lead his community.
He said this is what he learned from his father's attitude. Thom Beanal went beyond mere words; he also dared to fight for the truth.
"My father was a role model for my family and also an example for us. He taught me strength, loyalty, and courage in fighting for the truth for the Papuan people," said Florentinus Beanal.
According to him, his life journey took Thom Beanal beyond his traditional environment to the church. There, Thom Beanal found a place of development that he called his second home.
Although he did not complete his formal education several times, the church continued to accept and guide him. This intersection of traditional and church values shaped his character and outlook on life.
These values he continued to carry with him as he entered the modern world and started a family. He was also known as a figure who upheld freedom.
"My father used to say that humans should not be constantly ordered around, but should live freely and independently," he said.
According to him, this principle was the foundation of Thom Beanal's struggle for the Papuan people. However, despite his role as a public figure, his family felt the consequences of this calling.
Florentinus Beanal admitted that while studying in Jakarta, he once protested to his father because he felt his attention to his family was often overshadowed by his struggles outside the home.
"I felt like my father was more focused on the community, while we rarely received direct attention," he said.
He said, however, that his father didn't offer lengthy explanations. He preferred to demonstrate his attitude through concrete actions.
From there, the family learned to understand that these sacrifices were part of the calling of being a fighter.
"We only understood after his passing. We view that struggle as a source of pride. To this day and forever, my father remains a key figure in our lives because his exemplary life is an inspiration that we continue to remember," said Florentinus Beanal. (*)
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3) Benny Wenda Demands End to Indonesia’s Genocidal Attacks in West Papuan Highlands
BY PAUL GREGOIRE PUBLISHED ON 27 FEB 2026 FACT CHECKED
West Papuan provisional government president Benny Wenda has called on Pacific leaders to condemn the ongoing occupation of his peoples’ country by Indonesia, as Jakarta, the so-called administrator of the region, has again been carrying out aerial and land raids upon villages in the West Papuan highlands, specifically in Puncak Regency, commencing on 31 January 2026.
Wenda called for fellow leaders in the region to put pressure on the Prabowo government on 10 February, following the Indonesian military having dropped bombs upon a makeshift refugee camp in Puncak’s Kembru District, causing West Papuans, who were already displaced and left defenceless, due to the ongoing assaults upon people living in the highlands by earlier military operations.
Currently, there are around 105,000 internally displaced villagers in the highlands. The numbers of displaced West Papuans have been increasing along with Jakarta’s aerial attacks upon rainforest villages since an initial escalation in Nduga Regency in December 2018, which was sparked following an incident involving the killing of construction workers building the Trans-Papua Highway.
Wenda further questions how, as Indonesia has been engaged in military attacks upon villages in the West Papuan highlands for coming on close to eight years now, Indonesia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, had the ability to be appointed to the position of president of the UN Human Rights Council last month.
The attacks in the highlands began under the former Jokowi government, but they’ve since been intensified by October 2024-installed Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto, who, as a Suharto-era army general, earned an reputation as a war criminal whilst stationed in East Timor and West Papua, and hence, Wenda is calling on neighbouring nations to condemn these atrocities in his homeland.
Freedom fighters and occupiers
After the attack on the internally displaced villagers in Kembru District, Jakarta cut off the internet in the region, preventing the sharing of information about the attacks or details about those who’d fled the area as a result. Internet blackouts are a regular occurrence in West Papua, a region that Indonesia has restricted journalists from entering since taking control in 1963.
In the days following the drone attacks in Kembru, West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighters fired upon an Indonesian plane as it landed at Korowai airport in Boven Digoel Regency, killing the pilot, copilot and a passenger. Yet Wenda called out reporting of the incident because it suggests the flight was a commercial one, while he maintains it was part of military operations.
“Indonesia is again disguising their military activity as civil activity. They are also wilfully breaching the no-fly zones established by the TPNPB,” explained Wenda on 19 February. “This is the same pattern Indonesia used in 1977, when Indonesia used a disguised civilian plane to bomb villages across the highlands and massacre thousands, including many members of my own family.”
TPNPB freedom fighters attacked and killed 19 workers and an Indonesian army soldier, who were engaged in construction of the notorious Trans-Papua Highway, on 2 December 2018. This led to reprisals in Nduga Regency. The highway project is opposed, as it is destroying the ecosystem and tightening Jakarta’s grip on the Melanesian region with the third largest rainforest on the planet.
“We must always remember that the Indonesian military uses any armed action by West Papuans for their own gain, as a pretext for more militarisation, more displacement and more deforestation and ecocide,” Wenda underscored.
“Their aim is always to escalate the situation as a way of ethnically cleansing Papuans, forcing them to become refugees in their own land and strengthening their colonial hold over West Papua.”
Forging liberation from deceit
The 1962 New York Agreement was a deal struck as the Netherland colonisers of West Papua were about to pull out of the Melanesian region, just like they’d relinquished colonial control over Indonesia in late 1949. This agreement saw the United Nations taking over administration of West Papua briefly, prior to handing that over to Jakarta on 1 May 1963.
This was done on the proviso that Indonesia allow West Papuans to hold a referendum on remaining with Jakarta’s rule or taking independence. The UN-brokered Act of Free Choice vote was held in 1969. The locals refer to it as the Act of No Choice, as the Indonesian military rounded up just 1,026 West Papuan men and had them vote in favour of continuing with Indonesia at gunpoint.
Since the dodgy referendum, Jakarta has continued an oppressive rule over the Melanesian region and kept out prying eyes as it does so. Jakarta has killed more than 500,000 West Papuans during its occupation. A transmigration program established in the 1970s has left West Papuans making up less than 50 percent of the people in the region. This program has been revamped under Prabowo.
Compiled in 2017, the West Papuan People’s Petition, which calls for a new and legitimate vote on self-determination, was signed by 1.8 million West Papuans, or 70 percent of the Indigenous population. This had to be carried out clandestinely in occupied West Papua. Wenda presented the petition to then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in 2019.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has also succeeded in establishing a West Papuan provisional government both on the ground and in exile. This includes 12 government departments. The West Papuan Legislative Council met for the first time in Jayapura in July 2025: an occasion it was said that marked the “rebirth of the West Papuan state”.
“It is an international disgrace that Indonesia has been chosen to lead the UN Human Rights Council,” Wenda said earlier this month. “How can Indonesia lead on human rights when they are dropping bombs on refugees?”
Time to depart Indonesia
“Their presence on Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is yet another hypocritical joke,” Wenda added, in reference to Indonesian president Prabowo now holding a seat on the neocolonial board that directly undermines the United Nations. “Indonesia asks for justice for displaced Palestinians, while displacing hundreds of thousands of Indigenous West Papuans.”
And as the head of the ULMWP, Wenda is further demanding that Indonesia permit the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a fact-finding mission, in line with the demand of 110 UN states, as well as that Indonesia lift its media and aid blackout in West Papua, and that his fellow Melanesian and Pacific leaders heed his plea and put pressure on Jakarta to facilitate UN access.
PAUL GREGOIRE
Paul Gregoire is a Sydney-based journalist and writer. He's the winner of the 2021 NSW Council for Civil Liberties Award For Excellence In Civil Liberties Journalism. Prior to Sydney Criminal Lawyers®, Paul wrote for VICE and was the news editor at Sydney’s City Hub.
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