AWPA Statement
13 May 2026
Letter to Foreign Minister Penny Wong re West Papua
The Australia West Papua Association has written to the Australian Foreign Minister concerning the situation in West Papua,
AWPA understands that it is in the interest of the Government to have good relations with Indonesia, but good relations with Jakarta should not be at the expense of the West Papuan people.
AWPA is urging the Foreign Minister to use her good offices with Jakarta to urge it to halt all military operations in the territory as a way of easing tension and potentially saving lives
and
Urge Jakarta to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory, which is what the West Papuans are calling for.
Joe Collins
AWPA Sydney
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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Senator the Hon Penny Wong
Minister for Foreign Affairs
PO Box 6100
Senate
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
13 May 2026
Dear Foreign Minister,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Australia West Papua Association in Sydney concerning the human rights situation in West Papua.
AWPA is greatly concerned at the deteriorating human rights situation in the territory. There are ongoing human rights abuses being committed against the West Papuan people by the Indonesian security forces. West Papuans continue to be arrested and intimidated as they take part in rallies on days of significance in their history or protesting against the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule.
Regular clashes continue between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the security forces resulting in military operations which have caused thousands of local people to flee to the jungle or other regencies because of their fear of the Indonesian military.
In a report in the local media paper Jubi (21st April), The Papua Church Council said there are approximately 107,000 people which have been internally displaced across Papua as of April 2026, caused by the escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis since late 2018. The council also reported that the situation has intensified in recent months particularly between March and April in highland areas such as the Puncak and Dogiyai regencies.
A church spokesperson said the increased military operations have caused mass displacement and disrupted access for people to basic services He reported that in addition to causing casualties, the situation has disrupted education, economic activity and worship, while access to healthcare remains limited.
Human Rights Monitor (HRM) in its January 2026 update also reported that the “human rights situation between January and March 2026 remains dire”. HRM reported that there was a significant rise in arbitrary detentions in conflict zones in West Papua and particularly in the Dekai District of the Yahukimo Regency . It also reported that “a significant number of these arbitrary detentions were reportedly accompanied by torture. Officials used coercive and violent measures to extract information about the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) or to force confessions from detainees”.
and
“These developments took place alongside ongoing military operations in the regencies Intan Jaya and Puncak, reportedly involving battle drones, mortars and air strikes in civilian populated areas across the central highlands. As a result, the number of internally displaced persons continues to rise”.
We understand that you are well aware of the numerous reports documenting the grave situation in the territory. However , we would like to point out that one of the most recent cases of abuse by the security forces was committed as recently as the 5th May.
On the 5th May, students held a parade to celebrate their school graduation in Kobakma town in the Central Mamberamo Regency.
Because the students were carrying their national flag, the Morning Star and had also spray painted the symbol on their school uniforms, which is a common practice with students graduating in West Papua, the police tried to block the parade when it approached near the local police station.
Seven students were reported injured after the Indonesian security forces fired shots and tear gas to disperse the students after the situation escalated when the security forces tried to stop the celebration.
We understand that it is in the interest of the Government to have good relations with Indonesia, but good relations with Jakarta should not be at the expense of the West Papuan people.
The Australian Government is concerned with stability in the region.
But if the Government ignores the ongoing human rights abuses , the military operations against the West Papuan people, it will lead to the very instability the Government fears.
We urge you to use your good offices with Jakarta to urge it to halt all military operations in the territory as a way of easing tension and potentially saving lives.
Urge Jakarta to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory, which is what the West Papuans are calling for.
Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)
CC. Various Human Rights and media organisations
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