1) Morning Star flag flown at USTJ campus in Jayapura

2) Conflicting accounts surround killing of four indigenous Papuans during military operation in Intan Jaya

3) Civil servant arbitrarily detained and tortured at Marine Post in Maybrat

4) Papuan activist reportedly detained during land eviction solidarity action in Makassar

5) West Papua government criticised over response to forest and land fires

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https://en.jubi.id/morning-star-flag-flown-at-ustj-campus-in-jayapura/?_gl=1*17lk2j0*_ga*MTU0NTkyNDAxLjE3NzM5NjI3MDk.*_ga_ZZTT8RG182*czE3OTA4ODg2ODAkbzI0MCRnMCR0MTc5MDg4ODY4MCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_CNWVJ6KFKD*czE3OTA4ODg2ODAkbzIyOCRnMCR0MTc5MDg4ODY4MCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.

1) Morning Star flag flown at USTJ campus in Jayapura

News Desk October 1, 2026

Jayapura, Jubi – Hundreds of students at the University of Science and Technology Jayapura (USTJ) in Padang Bulan, Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua, raised the Morning Star flag on a flagpole on the university campus on Wednesday afternoon, 30 September 2026.

The students raised the flag to mark the 64th anniversary of the signing of the Rome Agreement on 30 September 1962.

As the Morning Star flag flew, the students gathered holding banners and placards calling for, among other things, United Nations Human Rights Council intervention in West Papua, self-determination for West Papua and accountability from the Vatican over the Catholic Church’s social teachings.

They also held and displayed Morning Star and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) flags.

Students took turns addressing the crowd, while fellow students and police officers watched. Police entered the USTJ campus grounds during the protest.

“We will not take down the Morning Star flag because it represents the many people who have died — children who have been shot, mothers who have been shot, and forests and land that have been taken. We will let it fly until sunset,” one speaker said.

“The Catholic Church must be held responsible for the signing of the Rome Agreement, which has caused people to suffer all this time,” another speaker said.

The speaker said the students would not take down the Morning Star flag and claimed that anyone who removed it would be a “coloniser”.

“Whoever dares to take down this Morning Star flag is committing a crime against humanity in Papua. The Indonesian Red and White flag flying in Papua is illegal,” the speaker said.

Dozens of Jayapura City police officers entered the USTJ campus. Police also brought a water cannon vehicle and several crowd-control units onto the grounds.

The students were still at the campus as of Wednesday afternoon, continuing to deliver political speeches. (*)

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/conflicting-accounts-surround-killing-of-four-indigenous-papuans-during-military-operation-in-intan-jaya/

2) Conflicting accounts surround killing of four indigenous Papuans during military operation in Intan Jaya

1 October 2026 / 5 minutes of reading

On 25 September 2026, members of the 315th Infantry Battalion/Garuda and the Taipur Team of the TNI Habema Operations Command conducted a military operation in Danggomba Village, Hitadipa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in the instant death of Mr Hermanus Hogajau and Mr Malobega Hogajau. Mr Aguni Hogajau was reportedly shot in the chest. Witnesses saw Mr Ebelon Hogajau alive as he was apprehended by security force personnel. Local sources and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) confirmed that Mr Hermanus Hogajau was a TPNPB member while his three brothers were civilians. Following the shooting, the military (TNI) commanders alleged that his men had killed four members of an armed group an armed clash in Balamai Village, Hitadipa, Intan Jaya Regency.

Conflicting accounts of the operation

According to information attributed to sources on the ground, members of Task Force 315 entered the Danggomba Village, Hitadipa District, where they reportedly raided a traditional house in which security force personnel suspected TPNPB members. According to local informants Mr Hermanus Hogajau was affiliated with the TPNPB, whereas Mr Malobega Hogajau, Mr Aguni Hogajau and Mr Ebelon Hogajau were civilians. Malobega and Hermanus were reportedly shot dead while Aguni sustained a bullet wound in the chest. Ebelon was seen alive being taken by security force personnel to an unknown location.

The TPNPB subsequently confirmed that Hermanus Hogajau was affiliated with the TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan. According to the TPNPB account, Indonesian security forces surrounded the house before opening fire at the wooden house. The TPNPB further alleged that no exchange of fire occurred.

The TNI Habema Operations Command provided a substantially different account. Brigadier General Riyanto stated that TNI personnel had received information concerning the presence of an armed group associated with TPNPB. According to this version, an exchange of fire occurred after TNI personnel approached the area, resulting in four alleged members of the armed group being killed. Two bodies were reportedly recovered near the scene, while two others allegedly fell into a ravine. The TNI reported recovering firearms, ammunition, communication equipment and a Morning Star flag following the operation (see photo on top, source: independent HRD).

A further TNI account attributed to Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, Commander of the Joint Defence Region III, stated that security forces detected the movement of Daniel Aibon Kogoya’s group through drone surveillance during the early hours of 25 September 2026. According to this version, security personnel attempted to approach the group before being fired upon, resulting in an exchange of fire in which four alleged TPNPB members were killed. No TNI personnel were reportedly injured.

Human rights and humanitarian law analysis

The contradictory accounts raise serious concerns requiring an independent investigation. The decisive factual questions include whether Malobega, Aguni and Ebelon Hogajau were civilians or members of an organised armed group; whether any of them directly participated in hostilities; whether an exchange of fire actually occurred; whether any of the victims had surrendered, were wounded or otherwise hors de combat when force was used against them; and what ultimately happened to Aguni and Ebelon Hogajau. The mere fact that the four men were relatives of an acknowledged TPNPB member would not remove their protection as civilians under international humanitarian law. Civilians remain protected against direct attack unless and for such time as they directly participate in hostilities, while membership in an organised armed group for targeting purposes requires more than family association or general support. The ICRC emphasises that feasible precautions must be taken when determining a person’s status and that, in case of doubt, civilian protection applies.

If the operation formed part of the ongoing non-international armed conflict in West Papua, customary international humanitarian law required the parties to distinguish at all times between persons who could lawfully be targeted and civilians protected against direct attack. Even a member of an organised armed group may not lawfully be attacked once that person has surrendered or otherwise become hors de combat. The available information is presently insufficient to determine whether Hermanus Hogajau was actively fighting, whether he had an opportunity to surrender, or whether he was already hors de combat when killed. Consequently, his acknowledged TPNPB membership does not, on its own, resolve the legality of his killing. The circumstances in which lethal force was actually employed must be established.

The allegations concerning Mr Aguni Hogajau and Mr Ebelon Hogajau require particularly urgent clarification. Preliminary field information states that Mr Aguni remained alive after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest and that Mr Ebelon was alive when security personnel apprehended him. If accurate, the authorities would have been required to protect them against further violence and provide appropriate treatment once they were wounded, detained or otherwise hors de combat. Their subsequent whereabouts and condition should therefore be disclosed without delay. Any death occurring after capture, surrender or incapacitation would require especially rigorous investigation. International humanitarian law requires persons who no longer participate in hostilities to be treated humanely and prohibits attacks against persons hors de combat.

The profound differences between the accounts also make a prompt, independent and impartial investigation essential. Investigators should establish the exact site of the operation, identify the units and individual personnel involved, determine the sequence and direction of gunfire, document the location and condition in which each victim was found, establish whether weapons were located on or near individual victims, secure ballistic, photographic, drone and communications evidence and interview surviving witnesses. Attention should be given to the TNI’s reported drone surveillance, which may provide crucial contemporaneous evidence concerning the victims’ conduct immediately before and during the operation. The bodies of those killed should be subject to independent forensic examination consistent with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016).

Mr Hermanus Hogajau and Mr Malobega Hogajau died at the scene during the military operation in Hitadipa District on 25 September 2025

Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-139-2026
Location: Hitadipa, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-3.6054679, 136.8640458) Danggomba Village (coordinates: https://mapcarta.com/de/37156080)
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Hitadipa
Total number of victims: 3

#	Number of Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1		male	adult	Indigenous Peoples	execution, right to life, unlawful killing
2.	1		male	adult	Indigenous Peoples	execution, right to life, unlawful killing
3.	1		male	adult	Indigenous Peoples	disappearance, right to life

Period of incident: 25/09/2026 – 25/09/2026
Perpetrators:
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: drones and clusterammunition, indigenous peoples, security force violence
Related Cases:

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/civil-servant-arbitrarily-detained-and-tortured-at-marine-post-in-maybrat/

3) Civil servant arbitrarily detained and tortured at Marine Post in Maybrat

1 October 2026 / 3 minutes of reading

On 26 September 2026, Indonesian Marine personnel allegedly apprehended Mr Wilem Wakom, a civil servant (ASN) and resident of Wakom Village, East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province. Military members subsequently took him to a Marine post in Aisa Village, East Aifat District. Where the soldiers allegedly detained and tortured Mr Wakom inside the military post. Relatives and members of the local community were prevented from seeing him or verifying his physical condition, while the legal grounds for his detention remained unclear.

According to media reports published on 28 September 2026, Marine personnel detained Mr Wilem Wakom on 26 September 2026 at the Marine post stationed in Aisa Village. Information by LBH Kaki Abu indicated that Mr Wakom was subsequently locked inside the post and subjected to acts of violence. When family members and residents came to the post to look for Mr Wakom, military personnel reportedly denied access to him. The reason for the detention, the legal basis for his deprivation of liberty, the authority that ordered the operation, and the duration and conditions of his detention remained unknown.

On 28 September 2026, LBH Kaki Abu in Sorong publicly condemned the alleged treatment and called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation stressing that any investigation of a civilian suspected of an offence or security-related activity must be conducted under applicable law and procedural safeguards. LBH Kaki Abu demanded clarification regarding Mr Wakom’s detention, the grounds for his deprivation of liberty, and immediate access for lawyers and relatives.

Human rights analysis

The circumstances reported in the case raise concerns under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects everyone against arbitrary arrest and detention. A deprivation of liberty must have a lawful basis and be accompanied by procedural safeguards. The reported detention of Mr Wakom inside a military post, without publicly disclosed grounds and with his family allegedly unable to ascertain his condition, therefore requires urgent clarification by Indonesian authorities. The fact that the alleged detention was carried out by Marine personnel also raises questions regarding the legal authority under which military personnel deprived a civilian of liberty. Indonesian criminal procedure assigns arrest powers in ordinary criminal investigations to legally authorised investigators and requires statutory procedures to be followed.

The allegations of physical violence engage the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including under Article 7 ICCPR and the UN Convention against Torture (CAT). Violence against a person in custody may constitute prohibited ill-treatment and must be investigated. The victim should therefore receive prompt access to an independent medical examination capable of documenting possible injuries and other evidence of ill-treatment.

Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-140-2026
Location: Wakom Village, Aifat Timur District, Maybrat Regency
Region: Indonesia > Southwest Papua > Maybrat > East Aifat
Total number of victims: 1

#	Number of Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1	Wilem Wakom	male	adult	Indigenous Peoples	arbitrary detention, torture

Period of incident: 26/09/2026 – 26/09/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI) > Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
Sources:
Satukan Indonesia
Jubi
Suara Papua
Related Cases:

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/papuan-activist-reportedly-detained-during-land-eviction-solidarity-action-in-makassar/

4) Papuan activist reportedly detained during land eviction solidarity action in Makassar

1 October 2026 / 2 minutes of reading

On 30 September 2026, police officers reportedly arrested Tilius Telenggen, 26, an activist and member of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Makassar branch (see photo on top, source: KNPB), in the Bara-Baraya neighbourhood of Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province. Telenggen, who originates from Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province, was reportedly participating in a solidarity activity with Bara-Baraya residents affected by a land eviction dispute when police officers took him into custody.

According to preliminary information received from local sources, Mr Telenggen was with residents of Bara-Baraya in the early hours of 30 September when police officers arrested him at approximately 03.00 pm. He was subsequently brought to the Makassar Metropolitan Police (Polrestabes Makassar), he remained in detention. Human rights defenders in Makassar currently investigate and verify the circumstances of the arrest, including the precise grounds for the arrest, Mr Telenggen’s legal status, the legal basis for any continued detention and whether the authorities informed him promptly of the reasons for his arrest and any allegations against him. The Makassar Legal Aid Institute (LBH Makassar) has been informed about the case and has initiated preliminary legal assistance.

Human rights analysis

Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and requires any deprivation of liberty to be based on grounds and procedures established by law. A person who is arrested must be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for the arrest and must be promptly informed of any charges. The UN Human Rights Committee has emphasised that the prohibition of arbitrariness extends beyond formal compliance with domestic law and encompasses requirements of reasonableness, necessity, proportionality, predictability and due process.

The circumstances of Mr Telenggen’s participation in the Bara-Baraya solidarity activity also require examination in relation to the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Indonesian Law No. 9 of 1998 on Freedom to Express Opinions in Public provides the domestic legal framework governing public expression and assembly. Under international human rights law, arrest or detention imposed as punishment for the legitimate exercise of rights protected by the ICCPR, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, may constitute arbitrary detention.

Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-138-2026
Location: Bara-Baraya, Makassar, Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia (-5.1436926, 119.4288149) 
Region: Indonesia > South Sulawesi > Makassar
Total number of victims: 1

#	Number of Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1	Tilius Telenggen	male	26	Activist	arbitrary detention

Period of incident: 30/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > POLRES

Perpetrator details: Polrestabes MAkassar

Issues: indigenous peoples
Related Cases:

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https://en.jubi.id/west-papua-government-criticised-over-response-to-forest-and-land-fires/?_gl=1*ltu5wb*_ga*MTU0NTkyNDAxLjE3NzM5NjI3MDk.*_ga_ZZTT8RG182*czE3OTA4ODg2ODAkbzI0MCRnMSR0MTc5MDg4ODk1NSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_CNWVJ6KFKD*czE3OTA4ODg2ODAkbzIyOCRnMSR0MTc5MDg4ODk1NSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.

5) West Papua government criticised over response to forest and land fires

News Desk October 1, 2026

Manokwari, Jubi – The West Papua provincial government has been criticised for its response to forest and land fires, with smoke haze continuing to affect several parts of the province.

West Papua Legislative Council (DPR Papua Barat) chairman Orgenes Wonggor said the provincial government had not done enough to tackle the fires, which have caused haze in several areas.

Forest and land fires, smoke haze and a clean water crisis have affected Fakfak, Teluk Bintuni, Kaimana, Teluk Wondama and South Manokwari regencies. Wonggor said emergency disaster funds were allocated every year to deal with such situations.

The situation is particularly severe in Fakfak, where smoke haze has begun affecting residents in urban areas and communities have faced a clean water shortage in recent months.

“The provincial government, particularly the relevant agencies, has not done enough to address this problem. When the season changes from the wet season to the dry season, there should already be a team in place. For example, the Forestry Agency should know its role, as should the Health Agency, the Plantation Agency and the Regional Disaster Management Agency,” Wonggor said on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

He said smoke from the fires could cause respiratory illnesses, while drought was making it difficult for residents to access clean water and causing farmers’ crops to fail.

“The team should already be in place and ready to respond as soon as a disaster occurs. We should not wait for a disaster to happen before forming a team,” said Wonggor, a Golkar Party politician.

He said disaster response should not be left solely to district governments and that the provincial government also had a role to play.

In Karas District, Fakfak Regency, West Papua, residents are dealing with both smoke haze from forest and land fires and a drought that has lasted for the past three months.

“Forest fires have started appearing during this dry season, from behind Pulau Tiga to the area beside Karas Port,” said Rizal Rumodar, a resident of Malakuli village in Karas District.

Rumodar said the fires had been burning for about two weeks. Nutmeg trees have been destroyed by the flames, while several residents’ gardens have also been affected.

“The fire started inside the forest, and people in Karas District don’t know exactly what caused it. All we know is that it spread because of the hot and dry conditions,” he said.

As smoke haze spread across Karas District, the Fakfak Education, Youth and Sports Agency temporarily suspended classroom activities at several schools.

The affected schools include Karas State Primary School, Karas State Junior High School and Karas Senior High School.

Poor visibility caused by the smoke haze has also forced some fishermen in Karas District to stay on shore.

Rolly, who has not gone fishing for two weeks because of the haze, said visibility at sea had become too poor. “We’ve stopped going out to sea because of these conditions. For now, we just have to stay home and get through it. You can’t see clearly when you’re out at sea because of the haze,” Rolly said.

He said there was little residents could do but adapt to the conditions.

“What else can we do? We are afraid something could happen if we force ourselves to go out to sea. So it’s better to stay at home and do whatever work we can,” he said.

Fakfak Police chief AKBP Naim Ishak said police had spent the past several days educating residents about the haze and distributing masks at several locations.

“Today, we distributed around 600 masks to schoolchildren and residents at schools, including Fakfak State Junior High School 1 and Fakfak State Primary School 2,” Naim Ishak said. (*)

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Telling West Papua" No 4

 

                      Telling West Papua" No 4 

From Sister Susan Connelly. This two page handout  attached

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2) TNI identifies OPM figure killed in Intan Jaya clash 

3) PM Wale raises West Papua concerns at UNGA

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/police-disperse-peaceful-ustj-student-protest-in-jayapura-with-tear-gas-three-students-reportedly-detained/

1) Police disperse peaceful USTJ Student Protest in Jayapura with tear gas – Three students reportedly detained

30 September 2026 / 4 minutes of reading

On 30 September 2026, Indonesian police intervened in a student protest at the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) campus in Padang Bulan, Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua Province. Hundreds of students reportedly participated in the peaceful political protest, during which they raised the Morning Star flag and delivered speeches concerning West Papua’s political history and the right to self-determination.

Following the events, police personnel entered the university grounds and reportedly fired dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the gathering (see photos below, source: independent HRD). Preliminary information indicates that police officers detained three USTJ students, identified as Mr Enias Enembe, Mr Mikael Obaipa and Mr Apniel Jagani. The place of detention is not known at the time of reporting.

Hundreds of USTJ students gathered on the university campus in Padang Bulan on 30 September 2026, to commemorate and critically discuss political developments concerning West Papua in 1962. During the protest, students raised a Morning Star flag on a flagpole inside the campus grounds and displayed additional Morning Star flags as well as a flag associated with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Students delivered political speeches and displayed banners calling for international attention to the human rights situation in West Papua and for self-determination.

According to Jubi, dozens of officers from the Jayapura City Police entered the USTJ campus while the demonstration was underway. Police deployed a water-cannon vehicle and riot-control personnel (see video below: source: independent HRD). At that stage, students continued delivering political speeches and stated that they intended to keep the Morning Star flag flying until sunset. The situation subsequently escalated when police officers entered the university grounds and fired dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the students.

Following the events, police reportedly detained Mr Enias Enembe, Mr Mikael Obaipa and Mr Apniel Jagani in connection with the protest. Their current place of detention remained unclear, with sources indicating that they may have been taken either to the Abepura Sector Police Station or the Jayapura City Police Headquarters. The legal basis for the detention is currently not known.

Human rights and legal analysis

The events raise serious concerns regarding the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, protected under Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Indonesia ratified the ICCPR through Law No. 12/2005. These guarantees apply to political expression, including expression that challenges government policies or advances controversial political positions.

Under international human rights law, peaceful assemblies may be subject only to restrictions that satisfy the requirements of legality, legitimate purpose, necessity and proportionality. The UN Human Rights Committee has emphasised that states have obligations not merely to refrain from unjustified interference but to facilitate peaceful assemblies and protect participants. Dispersal, arrest or other sanctions against participants therefore require specific and compelling justification.

The political content of the USTJ protest, including advocacy concerning self-determination and the display of the Morning Star flag does not remove the activity from the protection afforded to political expression under international human rights law. Restrictions cannot be justified merely because authorities disagree with the political message being expressed. Whether individual conduct falls outside the protection of peaceful assembly depends on the actual behaviour concerned, particularly whether participants engage in violence, rather than simply on the political position they advocate.

The deployment and use of tear gas inside university grounds requires particular scrutiny. Law-enforcement authorities must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies and should resort to dispersal only where this is justified under applicable human rights standards. Any use of force must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and accountability. The available information does not indicate that the students were engaging in violence immediately before police reportedly fired tear gas.

Indonesian domestic law also recognises freedom of public expression. Law No. 9 of 1998 on Freedom to Express Opinions in Public remains in force and provides the domestic statutory framework governing public expression. Indonesia has additionally informed the UN Human Rights Committee that freedom of assembly, association and expression is constitutionally guaranteed under Article 28E(3) of the 1945 Constitution, alongside relevant protections under Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights.

If the reported detention of Mr Enias Enembe, Mr Mikael Obaipa and Mr Apniel Jagani is confirmed, the authorities must immediately disclose their whereabouts and legal status. Article 9 ICCPRprohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and requires that arrested persons be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for their arrest and promptly informed of any charges. They must also have an effective opportunity to challenge the lawfulness of their detention and obtain access to legal assistance.

Police personnel enter the USTJ Campus with water cannons and teargas, 30 September 2026

Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-137-2026
Location: Jl. Sosial Padang Bulan, Hedam, Kec. Abepura, Kota Jayapura, Papua 99352, Indonesia (-2.6051992, 140.6573053) USTJ Campus, Jayapura
Region: Indonesia > Papua > Jayapura > Abepura
Total number of victims: 3

#	Number of Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1	Enias Enembe	male	adult	Indigenous Peoples, Student	arbitrary detention
2.	1	Mikael Obaipa	male	adult	Indigenous Peoples, Student	arbitrary detention
3.	1	Apniel Jagani	male	adult	Indigenous Peoples, Student	arbitrary detention

Period of incident: 30/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > POLRES

Perpetrator details: Polresta Jayapura

Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
Sources:
Jubi
Suara Papua
Related Cases:

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/433480/tni-identifies-opm-figure-killed-in-intan-jaya-clash

2) TNI identifies OPM figure killed in Intan Jaya clash 

 September 29, 2026 22:33 GMT+700 

Timika (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) confirmed that a figure of the Papua Liberation Army/Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), namely Hermanus Hogajau, also known as Pontianus Hogajau, was killed in an exchange of fire with Indonesian military personnel in Agisiga Subdistrict, Intan Jaya District, Central Papua.

In an official statement received in Timika on Tuesday, Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command III Lt Gen Lucky Avianto said Hermanus and three of his men, allegedly members of the TPNPB-OPM, were killed in an armed clash with personnel from the 315 Garuda Infantry Battalion Special Team and the Taipur Team of the Habema Joint Operations Command.

The clash occurred in Agisiga Subdistrict in the early hours of Friday (Sept 25).

Besides Hermanus, who acts as the TPNPB-OPM Kodap III Balamai Dulla commander, TNI has identified three members, namely Malobega Hogajau, Eselon Hogajau, and Aguni Hogajau.

Lucky alleged that Hermanus is a prominent and violent OPM figure and that the three others were suspects in several violent crimes, particularly alleged human rights abuses in Intan Jaya, including the rape of village women and health workers, robbery of people's property, agricultural produce and livestock, abduction of children and women, and the burning of churches and schools.

Lucky said Hermanus did not hesitate to injure or even kill anyone who refused to comply with their demands.

According to the statement, Hermanus was the first to fire hundreds of live rounds with a machine gun at TNI personnel.

The personnel from the 315 Garuda Infantry Battalion and the Taipur Team of the Habema Joint Operations Command had detected and anticipated the TPNPB-OPM's plan to enter residential areas in 10 villages of Agisiga Subdistrict.

Lucky said the Indonesian Military and Police would continue efforts to pursue and arrest perpetrators of alleged human rights abuses in Papua.

Indonesian Military would take firm action in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, with Rules of Engagement serving as a guiding principle to ensure that all actions by personnel remained professional and upheld the law and human rights.

Related news: TNIcommander says Papua separatists must be defeated

Related news: TNI reports four OPM members killed in Central Papua clash

Related news: TNI orders air evacuation for OPM victim's widow in Papua

Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: Azis Kurmala

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https://islandsbusiness.com/breaking-news/pm-wale-raises-west-papua-concerns-at-unga/

3) PM Wale raises West Papua concerns at UNGA

September 30, 2026 _  EMA GANIVATU

SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Mathew Wale has urged Indonesia to allow a long-awaited United Nations human rights visit to West Papua, telling the UN General Assembly that persistent reports of abuses must be independently verified.

Addressing the Assembly’s decolonisation agenda in New York, Wale linked the issue to wider Pacific calls for self-determination and described West Papuans as “our Melanesian brothers and sisters”.

“Leaving no one behind demands that we complete the unfinished work of decolonisation,” he said. Solomon Islands, he added, continued to support the right to self-determination of the Kanak people of New Caledonia and the Maohi Nui people of French Polynesia.

Wale said the UN decolonisation process “must offer more than hope” and provide practical pathways for people in Non-Self-Governing Territories to determine their political future and development aspirations.

Turning to West Papua, he stressed that the Solomon Islands respected Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and valued its friendship with the Indonesian government and people. “It is precisely because of that friendship that we speak with candour,” Wale said.

“Reports of human rights violations in West Papua have persisted far too long. They must be independently verified, not left in dispute,” he said.

Wale renewed the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ call for Indonesia to facilitate, without further delay, a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua.

“Such a visit is an act of confidence between friends, and an affirmation that there is nothing to fear from the light,” he said.

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