Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Statement 6 July 2025
27 years since the Biak massacre-and the oppression continues.
The 6th July marks 27 years since the Biak Massacre when the Indonesian security forces massacred scores of people in Biak, West Papua. The victims, included women and children who had gathered for a peaceful rally. They were killed at the base of a water tower flying the Morning Star flag.
No Indonesian security force member has ever been charged or brought to justice for the human rights abuses committed against the peaceful West Papuan demonstrators.
From the 2nd July in 1998, activists and local people started gathering beneath the water tower, singing songs and holding traditional dances. As the rally continued, many more people in the area joined in with numbers reaching up to 500 people. On the 6 July the Indonesian security forces attacked the demonstrators, massacring scores of people.
Joe Collins of AWPA said, "27 years later, the human rights situation in West Papua continues to deteriorate. West Papuan people continue to be arrested, intimated and killed by the security forces. There are ongoing clashes between the TPNPB and the Indonesian security forces with casualties on both sides. As a result of these clashes , the Indonesian security forces carry out sweeps in the area causing local people to flee in fear for their lives. It’s the internal refugees bearing the brunt of the conflict”.
Villagers fleeing fighting between the Indonesian military and the West Papuan militants to Sugapa, the capital of Intan Jaya regency. © 2025 Suara Papua
Human Rights Monitor reported in its June update that there were more than 97,721 people in West Papua internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
and
Human Rights Watch in a media statement in May 2025 reported that renewed fighting between the security forces and the TPNPB was threatening West Papua Civilians.
As the West Papuan people struggle for their right to self-determination, they face great challenges, from the ongoing human rights abuses to the destruction of their environment.
However, support/knowledge for the West Papuan struggle continues to grow particularly in the Pacific region. If some governments in the region are wavering in their support (Jakarta is targeting the Pacific leaders with aid, to convince them to stop supporting the West Papuan struggle), the people of the Pacific are not. Civil society and church groups continue to raise awareness of the West Papuan situation at the UN and at international human rights conferences.
Joe Collins said, "the West Papuan people are not going to give up their struggle for self- determination. Time for the countries in the region including Australia to take the issue seriously. Raising the ongoing human rights abuses with Jakarta would be a small start".
Ends
Background
The Biak Citizens Tribunal
SA PU NAMA PENGUNGSI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WjFZ37QP3Q&list=PLLP13ptib2AODaYeEuFKHivElCB_EUdDv&index=2
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