2) Arbitrary detention and use of force against human rights lawyer during peaceful protest in Jayapura
3) Trial begins in Tobias Silak Murder Case amid transparency concerns
4) Indonesian Govt Reports Poor Spending Performance in New Papua Province
5) Govt ensures funding for Papua's new autonomous regions
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Human Rights Monitor
1) Civil society condemns government denial and calls for international intervention
In the past months, the situation surrounding the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke, Papua Selatan Province, has further escalated. In the Soa Village, Tanah Miring District, indigenous women from 75 families have collectively opposed the land encroachment by PT. Global Papua Abadi, which received a government concession for an energy project without the community’s free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). This project threatens to destroy their natural sources of livelihood and violates their rights to land and self-determination. Similarly, on 23 June 2025, indigenous land belonging to the Kwipalo clan in Kakyo Village, Semangga District, was reportedly seized by the military for the construction of a post without consent or legal process, constituting a grave act of militarisation and forced dispossession.
Investigations by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in May and June 2025 revealed widespread violations across multiple districts in Merauke. These include forced evictions, destruction of sacred sites, and the complete disregard for FPIC principles. Indigenous communities, religious leaders, and civil society groups have united in protest, calling the PSN an instrument of structural injustice and ecocide. On 17 June 2025, the Indonesian Fellowship of Churches (PGI) condemned the PSN for violating indigenous rights, destroying ecosystems, and exacerbating the climate crisis.
In addition to public mobilisation and advocacy, a coalition of Indonesian civil society organisations (CSOs) issued a formal response to the joint communication of nine UN Special Rapporteurs dated 7 March 2025. The CSOs strongly criticised the Government of Indonesia’s reply of 6 May 2025 for denying ongoing and well-documented human rights and environmental violations related to the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke. They noted that the government’s response ignored empirical evidence and failed to address the substantive issues raised by the UN experts, including land dispossession, militarisation, food insecurity, ecological destruction, and the lack of respect for FPIC principles
According to the CSOs, the government’s reply reflected a broader institutional reluctance to engage meaningfully with international human rights norms. They pointed out that the Indonesian state has failed to comply with recommendations made by Komnas HAM, as well as with constitutional and international legal standards safeguarding indigenous peoples’ rights. Furthermore, they underscored that permits and business licences had been granted to companies in areas with customary land claims, without community consent or proper consultation. The coalition urged the UN Special Rapporteurs to conduct direct monitoring in Merauke and called for the immediate suspension of PSN implementation to prevent the continued expansion of human rights and environmental violations.
The PSN’s implementation in Merauke reflects a deeper failure of democratic governance and environmental responsibility. It undermines constitutional protections and international legal obligations, particularly under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Indonesian government’s response to concerns raised by UN Special Rapporteurs has been criticised as evasive and dishonest. Indigenous leaders and civil society continue to demand the immediate suspension of all PSN activities, restoration of customary lands, adequate reparations, and a UN-led investigation. Without urgent corrective action, the PSN will inevitably destroy the ecological, cultural, and spiritual fabric of West Papua’s indigenous communities.
The military seized land belonging to the Kwipalo Clan in the Kakyo Village, Semangga District, without consent or legal process
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Human Rights Monitor
2) Arbitrary detention and use of force against human rights lawyer during peaceful protest in Jayapura
On 12 June 2025, police officers arbitrarily detained Mr Imanus Komba, a lawyer working for the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), and a protester named Mr Kolki Gwijangge during a peaceful demonstration at the Abepura roundabout in Jayapura City, Papua Province (see photo on top, source: Jubi). The demonstration, organised by student and youth groups, opposed the controversial nickel mining project in Raja Ampat, Sorong, and broader illegal resource exploitation in West Papua. Mr Komba and Mr Gwijangge were reportedly subjected to physical ill-treatment during arrest. Both men were temporarily detained at the Abepura Sub-District Police Station before being released after 20 minutes.
The protest began peacefully at 10:00 am, with demonstrators expressing environmental and indigenous rights concerns over the mining project, including its impacts on local ecosystems and customary landowners. At approximately 10:20 am, police from the Abepura Sector, led by the station chief and intelligence officers, attempted to disband the protest, allegedly citing the lack of a valid permit. When LBH Papua lawyer, Mr Imanus Komba, challenged the order and asserted the demonstrators’ constitutional rights, police officers reportedly dragged, choked, and beat Mr Komba with a rubber baton before being escorted to the Abepura Sub-District Police Station. Mr Kolki Gwijangge was also forcibly removed from the site. Despite the violence, both were released again, and Mr Komba resumed his duties accompanying the protest.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and LBH Papua condemned the detention, highlighting that such acts amount to a pattern of criminalisation and intimidation of human rights defenders in West Papua. According to YLBHI, the Abepura Police’s conduct represents a breach of Police Regulation No. 2/2003. The organisation demanded a public apology and an end to repressive policing.
The Jayapura Police Chief, Commissioner Fredrickus Maclarimboen, stated that there were no arrests or detentions. The Jayapura police’s claim that “there were no detainees” contrasts sharply with the victim testimonies, further underlining the lack of transparency and accountability.
Legal and human rights analysis
The actions of the Abepura police, including physical abuse and obstruction of legal assistance, amount to violations of national law and international standards on the protection of human rights defenders. The incident violates fundamental freedoms, namely the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as enshrined in Article 28E (2) of the Indonesian Constitution, and Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party. Furthermore, the physical assault and detention of the LBH lawyer violate Law No. 16/2011 on Legal Aid, which explicitly protects lawyers from criminal or civil liability for actions taken in the course of legal representation.
The case adds to a broader pattern of repression against Papuan civil society, where security forces frequently suppress dissent under the guise of public order, infringing upon basic civil liberties and undermining the rule of law.
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Human Rights Monitor
3) Trial begins in Tobias Silak Murder Case amid transparency concerns
Nearly 11 months after the fatal shooting of Mr Tobias Silak in the Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, criminal proceedings have commenced at the Wamena District Court against the four police officers, Muh. Kurniawan Kudu (Chief Police Brigadier, Bripka), Fernando Alexander Aufa, Ferdi Moses Koromath, and Jatmiko (see photo on top, source: WPCC). The case files were transferred to the Public Prosecutor in Wamena on 28 May 2025, with the first hearing held on 24 June 2025. The court session focused on the reading of indictments. However, the scheduled 30 June hearing for defendant objections was postponed due to the defence team’s lack of preparedness, raising early concerns about the pace of the proceedings.
The trial process has sparked significant transparency concerns, as the victim’s family and their legal counsel were not notified of the first hearing. Mr Kawer criticized the prosecutor’s failure to inform key stakeholders, questioning whether the prosecution truly represents victim interests or public interest as claimed. Additionally, legal representatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the charges brought against the defendants, primarily Article 338 (murder) and Article 395 (negligence causing death) of the Criminal Code KUHP. They argue that the more serious charge of premeditated murder under Article 340 would better reflect the gravity of the shooting that killed both Mr Tobias Silak and Mr Naro Dapla on 20 August 2024.
In response to these procedural concerns, the Indonesian Judicial Commission in Papua announced in late June’25 that it would monitor the trial proceedings following a request from the victim’s family’s legal team. The Commission is currently awaiting authorization from the headquarters to begin formal oversight. Meanwhile, civil society groups, including the Tobias Silak Justice Front, continue to demand maximum penalties, including dismissal from the police force for the accused officers, while planning consolidation efforts across multiple cities to maintain public pressure throughout the trial process (see photos below, source: FJTS).
The case represents a critical test of Indonesia’s commitment to accountability for alleged security force violations in West Papua, with at least eight hearings expected before a verdict is reached. The outcome will be closely watched as an indicator of whether Indonesia’s justice system can break the pattern of impunity that has characterized similar cases in the region.
The Tobias Silak Justice Front held a peaceful protest in front of the Prosecutor’s Office in Wamena on 10 June 2025
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4) Indonesian Govt Reports Poor Spending Performance in New Papua Province
Reporter Novali Panji Nugroho
July 2, 2025 | 04:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian revealed the economic conditions of the four new autonomous regions of the four provinces in Papua during a working committee meeting with the House of Commission II. He stated that the revenue targets of most of the new provinces in Indonesia's easternmost region are still relatively low.
He stated that ideally, regional governments should have reached a revenue target of over 40 percent by June of this year. Based on data collected by his ministry, only Central Papua Province has achieved a revenue of 48 percent. Meanwhile, the three new provinces of Central Mountain Papua, Southwest Papua, and South Papua have only recorded 14 percent, 17 percent, and 23 percent, respectively.
In addition to revenue targets, Tito also pointed out that these four new provinces in Papua have absorbed very little funding. He cited the absorption of funds by Central Papua, which is only at 15 percent, despite having a revenue of over 40 percent.
"The problem is the plan to replace heads of departments, so the money is being held at the provincial level," said Minister Tito at the Parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
He urged that the funds received by regional governments from the central government should not be held. Tito requested that these funds be spent, thus circulating money to the public.
Tito then gave an example of the situation in Central Mountain Papua, where spendingexceeds the revenue target. "This has resulted in a deficit; perhaps they have taken the remaining funds from last year," he said.
He speculated that the issues in Central Mountain Papua are due to the unfulfillment of the distribution criteria set by the Ministry of Finance. He said the lack of fulfillment of these distribution criteria is caused by competency issues within the regional governments.
"So, the spending in all four DOPs in Papua is very low. Southwest Papua has a revenue of 17 percent, with spending at 11 percent. This means more is used for employee spending, but we are worried that it has not yet reached the community," said the retired police general.
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5) Govt ensures funding for Papua's new autonomous regions
July 2, 2025 19:51 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Finance has assured that the government will continue to fund development in Papua’s new autonomous regions (DOB) through the State Budget (APBN), either via ministry and agency spending or regional transfers (TKD).
During a working meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Wednesday, Deputy Finance Minister Anggito Abimanyu said that over the past three years, state funding has supported the construction of roads, bridges, education facilities, and health infrastructure in the DOB regions.
Some community economic empowerment programs have also been implemented under the DOB policy, he added.
For the 2024 fiscal year, the allocation for ministry and agency spending on government infrastructure in the DOB regions—channeled through the Ministry of Public Works’ budget—amounted to Rp1.28 trillion (approximately US$61.5 million).
Meanwhile, the total TKD allocation, including Special Autonomy Funds and Additional Infrastructure Funds (DTI), for all DOBs in Papua from 2023 to 2025 is projected to reach Rp22.4 trillion (around US$1.3 billion).
Abimanyu explained that funding support for the autonomous regions in Papua has been designed with several indicators in mind, including land area, population, social and fiscal conditions, economic factors, and infrastructure needs. The government is also continuing to conduct evaluations and improvements related to DOB funding support, particularly in terms of budget disbursement and effectiveness.
“The government is committed to making improvements, both in ministry and agency budgets and in regional transfer funds,” the deputy minister said.
He added that the government has formulated a number of steps to improve cross-agency coordination for managing the Special Autonomy Funds allocated to the four new autonomous regions in Papua.
By strengthening an integrated information system, the government aims to ensure that fund governance is faster, more prudent, more transparent, and delivers real benefits to the people.
Related news: Ministry, Papuan provinces tie up to end malaria by 2030
Related news: Indonesia’s village co-ops to add 16,000 jobs in W Papua: official
During a working meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Wednesday, Deputy Finance Minister Anggito Abimanyu said that over the past three years, state funding has supported the construction of roads, bridges, education facilities, and health infrastructure in the DOB regions.
Some community economic empowerment programs have also been implemented under the DOB policy, he added.
For the 2024 fiscal year, the allocation for ministry and agency spending on government infrastructure in the DOB regions—channeled through the Ministry of Public Works’ budget—amounted to Rp1.28 trillion (approximately US$61.5 million).
Meanwhile, the total TKD allocation, including Special Autonomy Funds and Additional Infrastructure Funds (DTI), for all DOBs in Papua from 2023 to 2025 is projected to reach Rp22.4 trillion (around US$1.3 billion).
Abimanyu explained that funding support for the autonomous regions in Papua has been designed with several indicators in mind, including land area, population, social and fiscal conditions, economic factors, and infrastructure needs. The government is also continuing to conduct evaluations and improvements related to DOB funding support, particularly in terms of budget disbursement and effectiveness.
“The government is committed to making improvements, both in ministry and agency budgets and in regional transfer funds,” the deputy minister said.
He added that the government has formulated a number of steps to improve cross-agency coordination for managing the Special Autonomy Funds allocated to the four new autonomous regions in Papua.
By strengthening an integrated information system, the government aims to ensure that fund governance is faster, more prudent, more transparent, and delivers real benefits to the people.
Related news: Ministry, Papuan provinces tie up to end malaria by 2030
Related news: Indonesia’s village co-ops to add 16,000 jobs in W Papua: official
Translator: Imamatul, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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