1) Military operations against indigenous village in Gearek District, Nduga Regency: One child killed, mother and sibling injured

 

2) Intimidation against indigenous leader in connection with the planned construction of Indonesian military headquarters in Biak

3) VP Gibran visits Wamena market to boost indigenous Papuan economy 

4) Concerns expressed over formation new development battalions in Papua  

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Human Rights Monitor

https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-operations-against-indigenous-village-in-gearek-district-nduga-regency-one-child-killed-mother-and-sibling-injured/

1) Military operations against indigenous village in Gearek District, Nduga Regency: One child killed, mother and sibling injured

14 January 2026 / 4 minutes of readingOn 12 December 2025, Indonesian military forces (TNI) conducted a large-scale air and ground military operation against indigenous settlements in Woneworasosa village, Gearek District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. The operation involved at least six military helicopters, aerial gunfire, and the deployment of mortar-type explosive ordnance in and around civilian homes, gardens, and livestock areas. The attack resulted in the killing of a seven-year-old child, serious injury to an indigenous woman, widespread destruction of civilian property, and the forced displacement of at least 539 civilians.

An investigation by the Papuan Foundation for Justice, Human Integrity (YKKMP) found no evidence of armed confrontation or resistance at the time of the attack. The military operation took place in a populated civilian area and caused severe humanitarian consequences.

On 10 December 2025, residents of Gearek District reported the presence of three military helicopters conducting surveillance flights over indigenous settlements without prior notification, coordination, or explanation. This activity caused widespread fear among the villagers. On 11 December 2025, the military presence escalated. Three helicopters and several drones again flew over Woneworasosa Village. Witnesses reported that helicopters dropped explosive devices near homes to facilitate troop deployment, while additional aircraft fired live ammunition from the air. Mortars reportedly exploded next to civilian houses, prompting panic among residents.

The operation reached its peak on 12 December 2025 at around 05:30 am, when six helicopters attacked from multiple directions. Mortar-type explosives were dropped near homes and gardens, and helicopters fired sustained gunfire onto residential areas. Roofs were perforated by bullets, walls were riddled with impact marks, livestock were shot, and solar panels and household interiors were destroyed (see photos below, source: YKKMP). The attack was carried out without warning and without prior armed hostilities in the area.

As residents attempted to flee, Arestina Giban, a seven-year-old girl (see photo on top, source: YKKMP), was shot in the back of the head while being carried by her mother, Mrs Wina Kerebea, 35. The child died instantly. Mrs Kerebea was injured by shrapnel from a mortar explosion, which became lodged in her right thigh (see photos below, source: YKKMP). Despite sustained gunfire from the air, she attempted to recover her child’s body while shielding her other child, who was reportedly also grazed by a bullet. Mrs Kerebea and her other child survived the attack but had to leave Arestina’s body behind.

Following the attack, residents fled into forests and neighbouring districts, including Pasir Putih and areas of Asmat Regency. Many spent days without food, shelter, or medical care. Military operations reportedly continued until 13 December 2025 at around 10:00 am. Searches for the child’s body between 14 and 16 December 2025 were unsuccessful, raising serious concerns about the enforced disappearance or concealment of remains.

As late December 2025, most residents remained internally displaced due to trauma, fear of renewed attacks, and the destruction of their homes.

Human rights analysis

The documented events indicate serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The use of aerial bombardment, mortar explosives, and live ammunition in densely populated civilian areas constitutes a breach of the principle of distinction and the principle of proportionality, which prohibit attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects.

The killing of Arestina Giban amounts to an arbitrary deprivation of life as regulated under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The circumstances of her death, including firing from military helicopters during a non-combat situation, meet the legal definition of extrajudicial killing. The failure to recover, identify, and return the body of the deceased child raises grave concerns under international standards governing the duty to investigate potentially unlawful deaths, including obligations to preserve evidence and ensure the dignity of the dead. Likewise, the injury of Mrs Wina Kerebea constitutes serious bodily harm, potentially amounting to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

The destruction of homes, food sources, livestock, and essential infrastructure, as well as the contamination of gardens by explosive remnants, violated civilians’ rights to adequate housing, food, health, and livelihood. The forced displacement of more than 500 civilians without safety guarantees or humanitarian assistance constitutes arbitrary displacement and exposes vulnerable populations, including women and children, to further harm.

Mrs Wina Kerebea (left) and her seven-year-old daughter Arestina Giban (right)

Photos showing the destruction of the military operation in the Woneworasosa village between 11 and 13 December 2025

Detailed Case Data
Location: Gearek, Nduga Regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.619625, 138.7794089) Woneworasosa village
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Nduga, Gearek
Total number of victims: 3

#	Number of Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1	Arestina Giban	female	7	Indigenous Peoples	unlawful killing
2.	1	Wina Kerebea	female	35	Indigenous Peoples	ill-treatment
3.	1		unknown		Indigenous Peoples	ill-treatment

Period of incident: 11/12/2025 – 13/12/2025
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children

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Human Rights Monitor

https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/intimidation-against-indigenous-leader-in-connection-with-the-planned-construction-of-indonesian-military-headquarters-in-biak/

2) Intimidation against indigenous leader in connection with the planned construction of Indonesian military headquarters in Biak

14 January 2026 / 4 minutes of reading

Between 30 November and 9 December 2025, a series of intimidation and surveillance incidents were reportedly directed against Mr Apolos Sroyer, Chair of the Biak Customary Council and Chief of the Biak Tribe, in the Biak–Supiori Regency, Papua province. The acts are allegedly linked to his peaceful leadership of indigenous opposition to the planned construction of new military (TNI) headquarters. The actions by military officials may amount to violations of the rights of indigenous peoples, including intimidation and interference with legitimate customary leadership.

Mr Apolos Sroyer is a long-standing indigenous leader and a founder of the Papuan Customary Council (2001). He is the Chief of the Biak Tribe for the 2017–2029 period. He has led non-violent efforts to protect customary lands, resolve land and social disputes through customary justice, and prevent state encroachment on indigenous territories without consent.

Between 2018 and 2024, the Indonesian Government advanced plans to construct military headquarters and battalion facilities within the customary territory of Biak–Supiori Regency. Indigenous communities consistently rejected these plans, citing threats to their living space, cultural survival, and security, and the absence of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Human rights observers expressed concerns that the formation of three new Indonesian Military battalions in Biak, Supiori, and Waropen has the potential to create human rights violations.

Escalation and military deployment

In November–December 2025, approximately 1,200–1,750 TNI personnel were reportedly deployed to Biak–Supiori Regency, occupying schools and public facilities. This large-scale military presence revived collective trauma linked to the past Military Operations Zone (DOM) period and intensified fear among indigenous communities. The three battalions are Territorial Development Battalion units, which are prepared to implement food security projects, and conduct infrastructure development.

On 5 December 2025, a customary meeting was held in the Ababiadi Village Office, South Supiori District, attended by the Biak Customary Council and representatives of 13 clans. The meeting formally declared rejection of the planned construction of military headquarters on their customary land, reaffirming that the project violated FPIC and endangered the survival of the Biak indigenous people. Despite this, the local district military commander reportedly announced plans to proceed with eviction on 9 December 2025.

Following the customary rejection, Mr Apolos Sroyer repeatedly became the target of intimidation. On 30 November 2025, unidentified officials visited his home without prior notice, followed the same night by drone surveillance reportedly conducted for several hours. On 9 December 2025, intelligence vehicles allegedly followed Mr Sroyer while he was in Jayapura. Meanwhile, TNI members reportedly attempted to create division between indigenous clans and coerce the community into accepting the military project. These actions created a credible climate of fear, raising concerns about possible physical harm, constant surveillance, and the risk of criminalisation of a legitimate indigenous leader.

Impact on indigenous communities

The planned military construction and associated intimidation have had severe impacts on the affected indigenous communities in Biak, including the threatened seizure of customary land and restriction of access to land, sea, and gardens, deepening collective trauma, and the risk of cultural destruction. Community members emphasise that the land concerned is not empty land, but integral to their identity, livelihood, and spiritual life.

Biak indigenous leaders and customary authorities have publicly stated that they reject the presence of military bases on indigenous territories. Customary rights cannot be relinquished without collective customary deliberation.

Human rights analysis

The reported acts may amount to violations of the right to security of person, freedom from intimidation, the rights of indigenous peoples to land and self-determination, and the obligation of the state to obtain FPIC before undertaking projects affecting indigenous territories as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The intimidation of a customary leader for peacefully exercising his mandate raises serious concerns about reprisals against human rights defenders.

Customary meeting in the Ababiadi Village, South Supiori District, attended by the Biak Customary Council and representatives of 13 clans on 5 December 2025

Detailed Case Data
Location: Biak, Papua, Indonesia (-1.0381022, 135.9800848) 
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Biak Numfor
Total number of victims: dozens

#	Number of Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1	Apolos Sroyer	male	adult	Human Rights Defender (HRD), Indigenous Peoples	intimidation
2.	dozens				Indigenous Peoples	intimidation

Period of incident: 30/11/2025 – 09/12/2025
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: business, human rights and FPIC, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/399853/vp-gibran-visits-wamena-market-to-boost-indigenous-papuan-economy

3) VP Gibran visits Wamena market to boost indigenous Papuan economy 

 January 14, 2026 17:10 GMT+700

Wamena, Highland Papua (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited the Potikelek Traditional Market in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, to ensure the economy of the indigenous Papuan community in the area is running smoothly.

“During his visit to Potikelek Market, the Vice President wants to ensure that the local economy, especially that of indigenous women, is running well and optimally to support their livelihoods,” Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua (KEPPOKP) Veliv V. Wanggai said here on Wednesday.

He added that the local economy in Papua, especially in the Highland Papua region, is a major focus of the administration led by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

“The acceleration of economy in Papua, particularly in the Highland Papua, is a major benchmark in the quick-win programs during the President-Vice President’s five-year leadership,” he said.

He explained that VP Gibran's visit to Wamena Public High School 1 was also aimed at ensuring the national flagship program, Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), can run effectively in the area.

“On the second day of his visit, apart from going to Potikelek Market, the Vice President also visited Wamena State High School 1 to ensure that the students, who represent the golden generation of Highland Papua, receive the MBG program properly,” he said.

He added that the MBG is a flagship government program which must be successfully implemented across all educational institutions in Indonesia.

“The VP certainly hopes that this visit will bring positive change, particularly in accelerating development in the Highland Papua, so that the welfare of the people across eight districts can be realized,” he said.



Related news: RI Govt helps develop taro, coffee MSMEs in Papua Highlands

Related news: Highland Papua pledges full support for Prabowo’s Asta Cita

Translator: Yudhi, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman

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https://www.indoleft.org/news/2026-01-09/concerns-expressed-over-formation-new-development-battalions-in-papua.html

4) Concerns expressed over formation new development battalions in Papua  

Jubi Papua – January 9, 2026

Larius Kogoya, Jayapura, Jubi – Reinhart Kmur, a legal aid officer from the Papua Legal Aid Foundation, (LBH Papua), says that the formation of three new Indonesian Military (TNI) battalions in three regencies in Papua has the potential to create human rights violations.

He said that this concern arose because so far the policy pattern for resolving conflict in the Land of Papua has always prioritised a security approach.

According to Reinhart Kmur, based on information gathered by the Papua LBH, the TNI has officially formed three new battalions in three regencies in Papua, namely in the regencies of Biak Numfor, Supiori and Waropen.

He said that the three battalions are new Territorial Development Battalion (TP) units which are prepared to carry out tasks in Papua supporting food security, infrastructure development, public health and economic empowerment to improve welfare and security in Papua.

"(The presence of) the three battalions has the potential to create violence and perpetuate the practice of human rights violations in Papua, because the amount of violence (which is committed by security forces) in Papua is always directly proportional to the implementation of security and armed approaches through military operations", said Kmur in a short message sent to Jubi in Jayapura, Papua, on Thursday January 8.

Kmur said that by using the authority as regulated in Article 100 of Law Number 39/1999 on Human Rights, he strongly criticised the addition of three new battalions in Papua Province.

"Additional military soldiers in Papua will only have implications for human rights violations and will add to the long list of human rights violations", he said.

Kmur said that the formation of the battalion would make people afraid of the presence of TNI personnel because the presence of a new battalion will of course be accompanied by the mobilisation of military soldiers.

"[This situation] is very dangerous in the midst of problems with the TNI institution, namely regarding professionalism and incidents of human rights violations", he said.

He said that the formation of new battalions on the pretext of supporting food security programs, infrastructure development, economic empowerment and other issues clearly violates the main duties and functions of the TNI in accordance with statutory regulations.

Earlier, the Kankain Karkara Byak Cultural Institute (KKB) together with tribal chiefs (Mananwir Bar Wamurem, Manfasfas Bar Wamurem and Manfun Kawsa Byak) stated that they reject the placement of TNI soldiers from the TP 858, TP 859 and TP 860 infantry (Yonif) battalions in the Byak traditional territory, Biak Numfor regency and Supiori regency, Papua.

This statement was conveyed to Jubi on Tuesday January 6 via telephone by the Kankain Karkara KKB and tribal chiefs who claim to represent the entire Byak traditional community through Byak Tribal Traditional Council chairperson Apollos Sroyer.

Sroyer said that the deployment of personnel from the TP 858, TP 859 and TP 860 infantry battalions in Biak Numfor, Supiori regency, began on November 29-30, 2025. Military personnel arrived in Biak using ships belonging to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).

"This shocked communities with the presence of the TNI battalion personnel. The approximate number of personnel from the three battalions deployed in Biak was 1,700", said Sroyer.

According to Sroyer, the TNI personnel are stationed at two different points. The TP 858 battalion is stationed in the Wamure or the East Biak traditional region and the TP 859 and TP 860 battalions are stationed in Supiori regency.

"(The) presence of (TNI) personnel is very worrying, and really disrupts the activities of indigenous communities in Biak Numfor and Supiori regencies, which are Byak traditional territories", he said.

He said that in general the public did not know that military personnel would be deployed at these locations. Only certain members of the public held limited meetings and closed meetings with the TNI, then released hundreds of thousands to hectares of land for the construction of TNI posts or headquarters.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Pembentukan Tiga Batalyon Di Papua Dinilai Berpotensi Menciptakan Pelanggaran HAM".]

Source: https://jubi.id/polhukam/2026/pembentukan-tiga-batalyon-di-papua-dinilai-berpotensi-menciptakan-pelanggaran-ham/

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