1) Papua Quarterly Report Q2 2025: Escalation without cccountability: Intensified military operations amidst erosion of civil liberties

 

2) Central Papua speeds up plan to build public university  

3) Indonesian Authorities Hunt for People Displaying One Piece Flag Through RT Leader  

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/reports/papua-quarterly-report-q2-2025-escalation-without-cccountability-intensified-military-operations-amidst-erosion-of-civil-liberties/

1) Papua Quarterly Report Q2 2025: Escalation without cccountability: Intensified military operations amidst erosion of civil liberties

Human Rights News, Reports / Indonesia, West Papua / 4 August 2025 

This 10-page document outlines cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns, the escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians, significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua, and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 April to 3o June 2025, with some developments covered that occurred after this period.

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Summary

Human rights

The human rights situation in West Papua between April and June 2025 continues to be dominated by ongoing security force operations across the central highlands. Accordingly, the number of related violations, such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and ill-treatmenst, has significantly increased during the reporting period (see table above). Security force raids have reportedly been carried out with a high level of violence against the indigenous civilian population. Security raids in the Puncak Regency were accompanied by the burning of civilian houses in June 2025, while military members allegedly killed and disappeared a dozen indigenous villagers during a single operation in Intan Jaya in May 2025.

The patterns of civil rights violations involving arbitrary detentions, torture, and violations of the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of expression seem stagnant, with some fluctuations. Simultaneously, growing state repression against human rights defenders and non-violent political activists has caused the statistical figures on cases of intimidation and criminalisations to rise again.

A Constitutional Court ruling on 2 May 2025 brings some hope for the future of free expression in Indonesia. The Court’s ruling stipulates that government agencies, corporations, groups, institutions, or officials cannot file defamation reports under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. The Court ruled that only individuals can be victims of defamation, explicitly recognizing that in a democratic society, criticism of government policies serves as essential public oversight and must be protected to prevent abuse of power.

The ruling strengthens the legal protection of human rights defenders and journalists in Indonesia who continue facing systematic criminalisation, intimidation, and violence. Violence against journalists in Indonesia reached alarming levels in 2024, with security forces emerging as the primary perpetrators of attacks on press freedom. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria dismissed concerns about press freedom, claiming that the situation remains “fine” because no media outlets have been permanently closed. However, human rights advocates argue that this perspective ignores the systematic intimidation, violence against journalists, and its implications on journalistic work, particularly in conflict areas like West Papua.

The Molotov bomb attack against the office of the media outlet Jubi is a recent example of attacks on press freedom in West Papua. The case has faced significant delays in the law enforcement process against the perpetrators who are allegedly associated with the Indonesian military. The case has reached a legal stalemate between the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) and the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command (Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih), with each agency presenting contradictory conclusions. On 17 May 2025, the Papuan House of Representatives (DPR Papua) announced it would escalate the matter to the TNI Headquarters (Mabes TNI) and the Indonesian National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) in Jakarta.

The lack of legal action against perpetrators has caused widespread impunity in West Papua. Yet, human rights defenders continue advocating for justice, with civil society groups pushing successfully for accountability. Nearly 11 months after the fatal shooting of Mr Tobias Silak in the Yahukimo Regency, criminal proceedings commenced at the Wamena District Court against the four police officers on 24 June 2025. The trial process has sparked significant transparency concerns, as the victim’s family and their legal counsel were not notified of the first hearing. 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. 

On 12-13 June 2025, a coalition of NGOs officially filed the extra-judicial execution and mutilation of indigenous farmer Abral Wandikbo in Nduga Regency to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the Military Police (MP), and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK)  in an attempt to seek justice through formal channels. The formal complaint surrounding Wandikbo’s death represents another critical test of Indonesia’s commitment to human rights accountability in West Papua.

Indigenous communities in remote areas face increasing pressure on their existence from the Government-driven development agendas and natural resource exploitation through private investors. The Indonesian government’s plan to implement another National Strategic Project (PSN) in the Papua Barat Daya Province has sparked resistance from indigenous communities, who understand the massive palm oil development as an existential threat to their ancestral lands and way of life. The Sumuri Indigenous community in the Teluk Bintuni Regency has issued a resolute rejection of the proposed expansion of palm oil plantations on their ancestral land. Plantations and strategic project areas in West Papua are protected by security forces. This has led to a conflicting situation where police officers can no longer fulfil their mandate as law enforcement officers. Police officers in Sorong allegedly intimidated indigenous land rights holders protesting against threats and coercive restrictions to sell their timber freely.

The issue of nickel mining in the Raja Ampat Regency, a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023 and the heart of the global coral triangle, attracted national attention after Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia visited the region in June 2025. Following sustained public pressure and international scrutiny, the Indonesian government announced on 10 June 2025, the revocation of mining permits for four companies operating in Raja Ampat. However, this decision has been met with skepticism from environmental groups and indigenous rights advocates who view it as inadequate and potentially reversible. PT Gag Nikel, the largest operation run by state-owned PT Antam, was permitted to continue operations under increased monitoring, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to genuine environmental protection.

Conflict

As of 30 June 2025, more than 97,721 people in West Papua remain internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the TPNPB. HRM documented 46 armed attacks and clashes throughout the second quarter of 2025, almost twice as many as in the first quarter of 2025. The figure of IDPs keeps rising due to more security force deployments to the conflict zones and the associated growing number of armed hostilities.  Indonesian security forces intensified operations in the regencies of Nduga, Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, and Puncak between April and June 2025, resulting in the killing of civilians, the burning of civilian houses, and new internal displacements. A raid in Intan Jaya on 13 and 14 May 2025 was fierce. Some of the bodies were hastily buried without a coffin. An evacuation team found mines near one of the burial sites, intended to harm those seeking to recover their remains. 

Armed hostilities increased significantly in the regencies of Intan Jaya, Yahukimo, and Puncak due to increased military presence, intensified security raids, and attacks against civilians by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). On 14 April 2025, TPNPB members killed 15 illegal gold miners in the Yahukimo Regency in a single incident. Accordingly, the period between April and June 2025 was marked by a high number of fatalities, particularly among civilians. HRM counted 18 civilians killed and four injured by the TPNPB. Meanwhile, twelve civilians were killed and eight wounded by security force members during armed clashes or counter-insurgency operations. Concerning the combatants, seven security force members were killed, and thirteen were injured during this period. In contrast, the TPNPB reportedly lost 10 combatants, with seven guerrilla fighters being injured during armed clashes.

Considering the continuous intensification of the armed conflict in West Papua and the aggravation of conflict driven displacements, the Forum for Communication and Aspirations of the Papuan People (FOR PAPUA MPR RI), comprising members of both the Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) and National Parliament (DPR RI), has issued urgent calls for the Indonesian government to abandon its security-based approach. The forum emphasized that the current security-focused approach has “proven ineffective and has exacerbated the conditions of civilian populations,” calling for immediate policy evaluation and cessation of military operations that have only added to civilian trauma and suffering.

The military is expanding its military infrastructure to remote areas in the conflict regions and surrounding regencies. HRM documented about a dozen cases in which indigenous communities, student movements, and CSOs protested against the formation of new military posts against their will in their immediate environment. Many fear that the military presence will rather attract armed violence and human rights violations than bring security for the indigenous communities.  Ironically, Indonesian Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigay, who is a Papuan himself, expressed support for the formation of more military posts in conflict areas. The statement is emblematic of the discrepancy between policies serving the central government’s interests and the aspirations of the people in West Papua.

Political developments

Indonesia has witnessed an alarming resurgence of military influence in civilian affairs, raising serious concerns about democratic regression and the erosion of civilian supremacy since April 2025. On 23 May 2025, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani appointed an active military commander as Director General of Customs and Excise, an institution critical to the integrity of state revenue collection. The pattern includes the controversial deployment of soldiers to secure prosecutors’ offices nationwide, authorised by Presidential Regulation No. 66/2025 and a 2023 MoU between the TNI and the Attorney General’s Office.

The militarisation has extended beyond high-level bureaucratic appointments. The proposal to send “problematic” students to military barracks in West Java for behavioural correction is a stark manifestation of the normalisation of military influence in civilian life. It is even more concerning that the proposal again received support from the Minister for Human Rights, Natalius Pigai. Equally troubling is the Army’s plan to recruit 24,000 new privates for “territorial development battalions”, a move that aims to position soldiers in agriculture, health, and education, which have exclusively been in civilian hands. 

President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has pursued an increasingly militaristic approach. In March 2025, controversial amendments to military law expanded the Indonesian Armed Forces’ (TNI) involvement in civil affairs, sparking nationwide protests. When confronted about these concerns in April 2025, President Prabowo dismissed criticism as “nonsense,” demonstrating his administration’s unwillingness to address human rights concerns and civilian oversight of military operations. Simultaneously, the government has undertaken efforts to rewrite national history textbooks, with Culture Minister Fadli Zon stating the project aims to “reinvent” Indonesian identity while potentially erasing documentation of past human rights violations committed by the Suharto regime.

Indonesia’s current military modernisation program has significant implications for the conflict situation in West Papua, where local observers have claimed that the Indonesian army used war drones and combat aircrafts to fight the TPNPB in the remote central Papuan highlands. The government has diversified its defense partnerships, purchasing 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey in June 2025 and participating in South Korea’s fighter jet development program, while also considering the Chinese J-10 aircraft as an alternative to U.S.-made options. Most concerning for regional stability is Jakarta’s deepening defense relationship with Russia, formalized through a strategic partnership declaration signed between President Prabowo and President Putin in June 2025. This agreement includes “military-technical cooperation” and created a $2 billion investment fund. Meanwhile, reports emerged of Russia seeking access to the Manuhua Air Force Base on the island of Biak, Papua Province. The Indonesian Government later assured Australia that Russian aircrafts would not operate from Indonesian territory.

Indonesia’s foreign policy under Prabowo reflects a complex balancing act between major powers. While strengthening ties with Russia and China through high-level meetings and defense cooperation, Jakarta has simultaneously maintained relationships with Western allies, including reaffirming commitments with both the United States and Australia. France and Thailand have also deepened cooperation agreements with Indonesia, providing Prabowo’s administration with diverse international support that may reduce external pressure for human rights accountability in the country and increase pressure on Indonesia’s land and natural resources from additional foreign investors.

These recent political developments collectively indicate a shrinkage in political space for the peaceful resolution of the West Papua conflict under President Prabowo’s leadership. The expansion of military authority through legal amendments and the appointment of military members to strategic government positions, combined with significant arms procurement and diversified defense partnerships, indicates a commitment to maintaining control through force rather than political dialogue. International partnerships prioritise mutual economic benefits, but have not resulted in meaningful pressure for peaceful conflict resolution. The government’s efforts to rewrite historical narratives while dismissing human rights concerns over growing military influence demonstrate a systematic approach to legitimizing state violence and avoiding accountability for past and present human rights violations.

International developments

In late May 2025, Indigenous rights advocates from across Indonesia presented evidence of systematic persecution to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples during a meeting held in the Republic of Congo. The Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) led the delegation that briefed Dr. Albert K. Barume on escalating patterns of criminalization, intimidation, and forced displacement affecting indigenous communities throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Following the May meeting, AMAN and other organisations facilitated a visit by Dr Barume to Jayapura, Papua Province, on 4 – 5 July 2025, in his capacity as an academic expert. As the visit was conducted outside his official role as a United Nations mandate holder, Dr Barume is not authorised to submit findings from the visit to the Human Rights Council. Indonesia continues to restrict access for official visits by UN Special Procedures mandate holders. Its overall record of cooperation with these key UN human rights mechanisms remains extremely poor.

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/HRM-Quarterly-Report_2_2025_final.pdf

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/371193/central-papua-speeds-up-plan-to-build-public-university

2) Central Papua speeds up plan to build public university  

August 5, 2025 00:31 GMT+700

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Central Papua provincial government is continuing to push its plan to build a public university in the province to provide the local community with better and more equitable access to education.

In a press release received here on Monday, Central Papua Governor Meki Fritz Nawipa said that one of the efforts to accelerate educational development is establishing a public university in the region, which would serve as a beacon of knowledge and culture for locals.

“This is our commitment, and the development of a public university in Central Papua will be based on local wisdom values,” he informed.

According to Nawipa, the purpose of establishing a public university is to ensure that all people in the province, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, can pursue higher education at an affordable cost.

“Central Papua has become its own province, so the commitment to build a public university is our effort to accelerate (progress) in the education sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, acting head of the Central Papua Education and Culture Office, Nurhaidah, said that the establishment of a public university is part of the local government’s vision and mission to make education the main pathway toward a brighter Central Papua.

“Central Papua was born out of the spirit of autonomy and the desire to bring public services closer to the people, so the public university can be established,” Nurhaidah said.

The Central Papua provincial government held a seminar and workshop on the establishment of a public university in Nabire on July 30, 2025. A master document compiled during the workshop will serve as the master plan for higher education development in the province. 



Related news: Southwest Papua races to build Sekolah Rakyat in 6 regions

Related news: Eastern Indonesia gains Rp1.8 trillion critical research support

Related news: Ministry to implement recommendations from Papua higher-ed colleges

Translator: Ardiles, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala

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https://en.tempo.co/read/2035708/indonesian-authorities-hunt-for-people-displaying-one-piece-flag-through-rt-leader

3) Indonesian Authorities Hunt for People Displaying One Piece Flag Through RT Leader  

Reporter Dinda Shabrina August 4, 2025 | 07:07 am  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The act of raising the flag of the Japanese animation One Piece in Indonesia is suspected to have been infiltrated by authorities. Kharik Anhar, a student at the University of Riau involved in the act, said there was a warning in a WhatsApp group instructing the head of the neighborhood association (RT) and community association (RW) to report residents who raise the One Piece flag. The report was requested to be forwarded to Babinsa (Non-Commissioned Officer of Village Development) and Bimas (Community Guidance).

Kharik showed Tempo a screenshot containing the warning. He said the message came from his colleague in Bogor, West Java. "This is a clear act of real suppression. Whereas the Jolly Roger flag is a form of criticism against a corrupt system and those within it, why are they angry?" Kharik said when contacted on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

The following is the content of the message in the screenshot, "Good afternoon. Information from the Kodim Intel Agency needs to be delivered to the Babinsa of the South Bogor Sub-District, to be alert to the raising of the One Piece flag which is currently flying in other regions and is being widely reported on social media. Please monitor the news items. Thank you".

The second paragraph of the warning, "Please cooperate with the RT and RW leaders if there are those who raise the flag in the area, please report it to Babinsa and Bimas. Thank you."

Kharik regrets why the government's attitude is excessively prohibitive, even threatening with criminal sanctions. "We reject the subversive labeling against the creativity of the people," he said.

The installation of the animated flag, according to Kharik, was done in accordance with existing regulations and did not neglect to honor the Red and White Flag. "We still respect the national flag. That's why we raised it in accordance with the rules, placing the One Piece flag separately, not higher or parallel," he said.

Kharik is now gathering residents and other students from various regions. He is consolidating the campaign to raise the One Piece flag so that it can be installed massively in front of houses or spread through social media. Currently, there are at least 320 people involved in the campaign to raise the flag of the pirate anime.

Tempo has requested a response from the Head of the TNI Information Center Major General Kristomei Sianturi regarding the directive for sweeping or taking action against residents who raise the One Piece flag. The message sent via WhatsApp on Sunday, August 3, 2025, has not been answered.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan said that raising the One Piece flag before the commemoration of Independence Day on August 17 contained elements of criminal acts. He said that the action was a violation of the honor of the red and white flag.

Budi reminded that the raising of the red and white flag was regulated in Article 24 paragraph 1 of Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning Flags, Languages, and State Symbols, and the National Anthem. The law states that anyone is prohibited from raising the national flag under any other flag or symbol.

The government will take legal action against the act of raising the One Piece flag. "This is our effort to protect the dignity and symbols of the country," he said in a written statement on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Sufmi Dasco Ahmad urged the public to unite in the face of efforts to disintegrate through the installation of One Pieceflags. He detected attempts to divide unity. "We must resist such things. Let's unite, fight," he said.

The trend of raising the pirate flag (jolly roger) from the One Piece manga has been rampant lately. The flag bearing a skull and crossbones with a straw hat is a symbol of the Straw Hat Pirates group led by Monkey D Luffy, the main character in the Japanese comic.

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The manga series that tells the adventure of Monkey D Luffy becoming the pirate king has been published since July 22, 1997 until now.

For its fans, several stories in the One Piece comic represent resistance to injustice. In some of its stories, Monkey D Luffy and his friends have to face a corrupt government, a sadistic military, human rights violations, genocide, racial discrimination, and attempts to manipulate history.

This comic also produces a number of iconic scenes. For example, when the Straw Hat Pirates burned the world government flag. This was to show support for one of their friends, an archaeologist, who has been pursued by the military since the age of 8 just for studying lost history.

Novali Panji Nugroho and Daniel Fajri contributed to this article.

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