1) Kinmom-Snerbo Villagers set up road blockade in protest against Indonesian Air Force’s land eviction
On 27 October 2025, residents of Kinmom-Snerbo Village in Biak Regency, Papua Province, staged a road blockade to protest the Indonesian Air Force’s (AURI) continued construction activities on their traditional farmland. The protest began in the morning hours as the community, consisting mostly of subsistence farmers, expressed outrage over the destruction of their gardens. The gardens are their main source of food, income, and education for their children. The villagers accused the Air Force of forcibly evicting them without prior consultation or compensation, in disregard for their customary land rights.
According to local accounts, the conflict escalated after AURI personnel and contractors began clearing and building on land that has been cultivated by the community for generations. The Kinmom-Snerbo villagers, whose livelihoods depend on these farmlands, have long used the area for planting staple crops and supporting family welfare. The construction resulted in damage to mature crops and newly planted gardens, effectively depriving the families of their primary means of subsistence. In response, the villagers blocked access roads to the construction site to halt further destruction and demand dialogue (see photos below, source: independent HRD).
For decades, the people of Kinmom-Snerbo have maintained peaceful and productive use of the area, in line with traditional Papuan land stewardship practices. The current military intrusion represents a violation of the community’s customary rights and raises concerns regarding Indonesia’s compliance with national and international human rights standards, including the right to property, livelihood, and participation in decisions affecting indigenous land (as enshrined in Articles 17 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO Convention No. 169).
The affected communities have urged the Indonesian government and the Air Force to immediately cease all construction activities, enter into transparent consultations with the affected community, and provide restitution for destroyed farmland. The local government is called upon to respect the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and to ensure that the rights of indigenous Papuans are fully protected in all military and development projects in the regency.
Kinmom-Snerbo Villagers in Biak, Papua Province, staged a road blockade on 27 October 2025
Detailed Case Data
Location: R38Q+PVW, Mandala, Biak Kota, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua 98111, Indonesia (-1.1831466, 136.0897124) Villages Kinmom and Snerbo
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Biak Numfor, Biak Kota
Total number of victims: hundreds
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | hundreds | mixed | unknown | Indigenous Peoples, Peasant | cultural rights, right to food |
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU)
Perpetrator details: AURI in Biak
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung said here on Friday that the involvement of the law enforcement division aims to determine whether there were any criminal offenses, such as negligence on the company’s part, that may have led to the incident.
Regarding Freeport’s request to resume mining activities at two other sites, the ministry is still awaiting the results of an evaluation before making a decision, he confirmed.
“If the evaluation shows that mining operations at the two other sites are feasible, we will allow them to continue,” Tanjung said. The assessment is being carried out by the ministry’s Directorate General of Mineral and Coal, he added.
Freeport Indonesia President Director Tony Wenas said the company’s smelter in Gresik, East Java, has been temporarily shut down due to a lack of concentrate supply following the landslide at the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine.
The incident occurred on September 8, 2025, in Tembagapura, Mimika, Central Papua, prompting the company to suspend all mining activities and focus on the search and rescue operation for seven workers trapped in the area.
All victims were eventually found, and on October 6, Freeport announced the completion of the search and rescue operation.
“Hopefully, we can resume operations, even if not at full capacity, so that we can produce concentrates to supply our smelters,” Wenas remarked.
He added that the company will calculate the impact of the one-month suspension on its production performance, though its current focus remains on restoring the affected mining area following the evacuation of the victims.
Related news: Freeport halts Gresik smelter after Papua mine landslide
Related news: Indonesia delays Freeport mine restart pending safety review
Related news: Freeport mine tragedy: All 7 missing workers found dead in Papua
Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Mecca Yumna
Editor: M Razi Rahman
“Our shared duty is to ensure that the people of Papua experience the state’s real presence — through stable security, quality public services, and fair opportunities,” Chaniago said.
He delivered the remarks while addressing personnel at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters during a working visit, according to a statement from the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Friday.
Chaniago said both institutions act as the nation’s front line in establishing security and a conducive environment in Papua.
“If TNI and Polri are not united, efforts to provide security for the people in Papua, especially in conflict-prone areas, will face significant challenges,” he said.
Related news: Indonesian troop delivers clothing for Highland Papua peacebuilding
The minister emphasized the importance of adopting a humane approach in engaging with local communities, noting that such efforts will help the public increasingly recognize the positive impact of TNI and Polri presence in the region.
“TNI and Polri are two key pillars in maintaining national stability. The government’s success in upholding state sovereignty, preserving order, and promoting development in Papua relies heavily on the solidarity, synergy, and professionalism of personnel on the ground,” he added.
Chaniago’s remarks come amid ongoing government efforts to strengthen security and development in Papua, ensuring the protection of human rights and equitable access to services for all communities.
Officials continue to monitor the region, calling for closer coordination between security forces and local authorities to sustain stability and support socio-economic growth.
Related news: Collaboration key to boosting Southwest Papua's development: MPR
Translator: Walda Marison, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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4) Prabowo Administration Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Human Development in Papua
Reporter Novali Panji Nugroho
November 6, 2025 | 10:21 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, visited Papua with the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Muhammad Herindra on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. They directly observed activities at the Papua Youth Creative Hub.
The location is described as a center for youth creativity development in the easternmost region of Indonesia. The Papua Youth Creative Hub was built and managed by the State Intelligence Agency.
Djamari said that the Papua Youth Creative Hub is an example of the government's commitment to providing a creative space for Papua's youth. He says this aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's mission.
He said that the Prabowo administration is committed to comprehensively strengthening human development in Indonesia, including in Papua. "Let us make the Papua Youth Creative Hub a symbol that Papua is advanced, peaceful, and an important part of Indonesia's future," said Djamari in his written statement on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
He emphasized the vital role of the youth in maintaining security and stability in Papua. Djamari believes that through the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the youth, there is potential for Papua to become a significant economic and social force.
Djamari also guided the commanders of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police in Papua. He stated that these two security forces are the main pillars in maintaining national stability.
He cautioned that the two institutions should be cohesive, synergetic, and professional in their duties. Djamari emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach that emphasizes humane security, combining firm security operations with persuasive, solution-oriented community development.
"Our joint task is to ensure that the people of Papua feel the tangible presence of the state," he said.
He said that the state's presence can be established by providing stable security and public services and by offering the people of Papua fair opportunities to progress.
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