2) Six Teachers in Yahukimo Killed in TPNPB OPM Attack
3) Free meal program five times weekly in Highland Papua
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1) Pacific island nations unite to support West Papua amid human rights violations
The ongoing conflict in the resource-rich province of Indonesia, has drawn renewed international attention as a coalition of Pacific states voices support for the region’s push for independence.
Christine Rovoi Christine Rovoi
PUBLISHED 23 March 2025, 8:58pm
A human rights group in New Zealand has welcomed support from several Pacific island nations for West Papua, which has been under Indonesian military occupation since the 1960s.
West Papua is a province in the far east of Indonesia, centred on the island of New Guinea. Half of the eastern side of New Guinea is Papua New Guinea.
West Papua Action Aotearoa claims the Indonesian occupation of West Papua has resulted in serious human rights violations, including a lack of press freedom.
Catherine Delahunty, the group's spokesperson, says many West Papuans have been displaced as a result of Indonesia's military activity.
In an interview with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, the environmentalist and former New Zealand MP says most people don't know much about West Papua "because there's virtually a media blackout around this country.
"It's an hour away from Darwin [Australia], and yet, most people don't know what has been going on there since the 1960s. It's a very serious and tragic situation, which is the responsibility of all of us as neighbours.
"They [West Papuans] regard themselves fully as members of the Pacific community but are treated by Indonesia as an extension of their empire because they have all these natural resources, which Indonesia is rapidly extracting, using violence to maintain the state."
Delahunty says the situation is "very disturbing", adding a need for support and change alongside the West Papuan people."
In a recent joint statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the leaders of Vanuatu, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Sāmoa called on the global community to support the displaced people of West Papua.
Delahunty says the Pacific island nations urge the UN Council to advocate for human rights in West Papua.
She also says West Papua Action Aotearoa wants Indonesia to allow a visit from a UN human rights commissioner, a request that Indonesia has consistently denied.
She says Sāmoa is the latest country to support West Papua, comparing this with the "lack of action from larger neighbours like New Zealand and Australia".
Delahunty says that while smaller island nations and some African groups support West Papua, more powerful states provide little assistance.
"It's great that these island nations are keeping the issue alive at the United Nations, but we particularly want to shout out to Sāmoa because it's a new thing," she tells Terite.
"They've never, as a government, made public statements. There are many Sāmoan people who support West Papua, and I work with them. But it's great to see their government step up and make the statement.”
Historically, the only public statements supporting West Papua have come from American Sāmoan congressman Eni Faleomavaega, who strongly advocated for it until he died in 2017.
Delahunty praised Sāmoa's support for the joint statement but voiced her disappointment at New Zealand and Australia. "What's not encouraging is the failure of Australia and New Zealand to actually support this kind of joint statement and to vigorously stand up for West Papua because they have a lot of power in the region. They're the big states, and yet it's the leadership of the smaller nations that we see today."
In September 2024, Phillip Mehrtens, a pilot from New Zealand, was released by West Papua rebels after being held captive for 19 months.
Mehrtens, 39, was kidnapped by West Papua National Liberation Army fighters in February 2023 and was released after lengthy negotiations and "critical' diplomatic efforts by authorities in Wellington and Jakarta.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters welcomed his release.
Why is there conflict in West Papua?
Once a Dutch colony, the region is divided into two provinces: Papua and West Papua. It is separate from PNG, which gained independence from Australia in 1975.
Papuan rebels seeking independence from Indonesia have issued threats and attacked aircraft they believe are carrying personnel and delivering supplies for Jakarta.
The resource-rich region has sought independence since 1969, when it came under Indonesia's control following a disputed UN-supervised vote.
Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian authorities have been common, with pro-independence fighters increasing their attacks since 2018.
The Free Papua Movement has conducted a low-intensity guerrilla war against Indonesia, targeting military and police personnel, along with ordinary Indonesian civilians.
Human rights groups estimate that Indonesian security forces have killed more than 300,000 West Papuans since the conflict started.
But the Indonesian government denies any wrongdoing, claiming that West Papua is part of Indonesia and was integrated after a controversial "Act of Free Choice" in 1969.
The "Act of Free Choice" has been widely criticised as a manipulated process, with international observers and journalists raising concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of the plebiscite.
Despite the criticism, the United States and its allies in the region, New Zealand and Australia, have supported Indonesia's efforts to gain acceptance in the UN for the pro-integration vote.
Human rights groups, such as Delahunty's West Papua Action Aotearoa, have raised “serious concerns" about the deteriorating human rights situation in Papua and West Papua. They cite alarming abuses against indigenous Papuans, including child killings, disappearances, torture, and mass displacement.
Delahunty believes the hope for change lies with the nations of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. She says it also comes from the younger people in Indonesia today.
"This is a colonisation issue, and it's a bit like Aotearoa, in the sense that when the people who have been part of the colonising start addressing the issue, you get change. But it's far too slow. So we are so disappointed."
Watch Catherine Delahunty's full interview below.
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2) Six Teachers in Yahukimo Killed in TPNPB OPM Attack
Reporter Novali Panji Nugroho March 23, 2025 | 09:35 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization or TPNPB OPM attacked and killed six teachers in Anggruk District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, Indonesia, on Friday, March 21, 2025. The separatist group attack was carried out by troops from the Eden Sawi and Sisipa battalions.
The Commander of Kodam TPNPB OPM Kodam XVI Yahukimo, Elkius Kobak, claimed that the six teachers who were killed were intelligence agents of Indonesia. He said the attack was carried out following the statement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto regarding the assignment of military personnel as teachers in Papua. "I then ordered the troops to carry out the killing of six TNI members who worked as teachers," Elkius said in a written statement on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
TPNPB OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom urged all teachers and healthcare workers to immediately leave the armed conflict areas in Papua on Sunday, March 23, 2025. He stated that their group would launch attack operations to target Indonesian intelligence agents next week.
"We convey to President Prabowo and the TNI Commander not to retaliate against civilians indiscriminately," said Sebby.
Head of Information of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, Colonel Inf Candra Kurniawan, confirmed the attack on teachers carried out by the armed criminal group in Papua. He mentioned that the victims were allegedly killed and burned by the OPM while inside the school building.
"Six teachers were killed in a barbaric and inhuman attack. In this attack, they set fire to the school and teachers' houses," said Candra when contacted on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Meanwhile, the TNI has evacuated dozens of teachers and medical personnel to avoid further attacks by the OPM. Teachers and medical personnel from various districts in the Papua Highlands were flown from Wamena to Jayapura.
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3) Free meal program five times weekly in Highland Papua
March 23, 2025 19:37 GMT+700
Wamena, Highland Papua (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (BGN) has announced that the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in Highland Papua province will be implemented five days a week.
Chair of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit of the Papua Province National Food Agency (SPPG-BGN) Wahyu Adi Pratama confirmed on Sunday that the MBG program will be provided Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays.
"Students, teachers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, will receive MBG five days a week," he said.
The Highland Papua provincial administration and the Jayawijaya District administration recently launched the MBG program.
Pratama stated that the MBG menu includes cakes, milk, beef, chicken, eggs, vegetables, rice, and tubers, ensuring a balanced and adequate nutritional intake for beneficiaries.
Pratama explained that while two public kitchens were designated for the program, only one is currently operational. "The second kitchen will begin operating after the Eid al-Fitr period," he clarified.
He added that the operational kitchen prepares 3,500 portions of nutritious meals daily. "Once both kitchens are operational, they will provide a total of 7,000 portions per day," he noted.
Each kitchen employs 47 people for food preparation, along with three BGN personnel: the head of SPPG-BGN, a nutritionist, and an accountant. "We are working together to support the future generation," he said.
Chair of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit of the Papua Province National Food Agency (SPPG-BGN) Wahyu Adi Pratama confirmed on Sunday that the MBG program will be provided Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays.
"Students, teachers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, will receive MBG five days a week," he said.
The Highland Papua provincial administration and the Jayawijaya District administration recently launched the MBG program.
Pratama stated that the MBG menu includes cakes, milk, beef, chicken, eggs, vegetables, rice, and tubers, ensuring a balanced and adequate nutritional intake for beneficiaries.
Pratama explained that while two public kitchens were designated for the program, only one is currently operational. "The second kitchen will begin operating after the Eid al-Fitr period," he clarified.
He added that the operational kitchen prepares 3,500 portions of nutritious meals daily. "Once both kitchens are operational, they will provide a total of 7,000 portions per day," he noted.
Each kitchen employs 47 people for food preparation, along with three BGN personnel: the head of SPPG-BGN, a nutritionist, and an accountant. "We are working together to support the future generation," he said.
Translator: Yudhi, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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