2) Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Says Papuans Can Demand Justice but Not Independence
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1) One Indonesian soldier killed, two wounded in Central Papua gunfight
August 18, 2026 09:03 GMT+700
Speaking to ANTARA in Jayapura, Colonel Tri Purwanto, spokesman for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, said the clash involved personnel from the Jila Military Post and the 133/Yudha Sakti Task Force Post.
They exchanged fire with members of the Kodap III Puncak armed group, allegedly led by Pemne Kogoya, he said.
Security operations are ongoing to maintain control of the area while authorities investigate the incident and monitor developments in Jila District, Purwanto added.
“The TNI and police continue to coordinate to protect local residents and prevent further security disruptions,” he said.
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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2) Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Says Papuans Can Demand Justice but Not Independence
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai emphasized that the people of Papua are permitted to demand welfare, justice, and their rights, but they may not demand independence for Papua from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
According to him, voicing aspirations and advocating for solutions to community issues remains permissible as long as it is done through lawful and constitutional means.
"What is not allowed is declaring, 'We want independence; let us break away from Indonesia.' That is forbidden. Other demands are permissible and pose no problem, provided they are pursued correctly—advocating for people in a way protected by law and grounded in a clear legal basis," Pigai said during a working visit to the Central Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in Nabire on Monday evening (August 17).
He stated that demanding a life of welfare, justice, prosperity, and health for the Papuan people is, in fact, part of fulfilling the constitutional mandate that must be championed.
Therefore, the public need not fear raising issues of injustice, provided there is a legal basis and the actions are carried out through legitimate mechanisms.
"However, if you are calling for the Papuan people to be prosperous, treated fairly, and healthy, you are actually upholding the mandate of the 1945 Constitution. That is something that must be fought for through both words and deeds. Never be afraid to speak out against injustice," he said.
Pigai encouraged the public and legislators in Central Papua to prioritize evidence-based advocacy by gathering facts, data, information, and documentation regarding the issues faced by the community.
He noted that complaints supported by evidence could be processed through legal mechanisms, potentially leading to binding court rulings.
"I say this because I am here in a conflict zone. If I were in the provincial capital, I wouldn't know the details. The goal here is to help protect the community and ensure justice for them," he said.
He also assessed that access to justice needs to be strengthened by bringing law enforcement institutions closer to communities in conflict-affected areas.
Pigai mentioned that he had received proposals to establish prosecutor's offices to serve the Paniai area and its surroundings, as well as the Puncak Jaya and Mulia areas and their vicinities. However, he noted that the presence of the prosecutor's office, the police, and the courts must be balanced by the strength of civil society and advocates capable of supporting citizens in fighting for their rights.
"The fact is, there will always be judges, prosecutors, and police. But who, then, stands up for the public? Who are the lawyers? Who provides the advocacy?" he asked.
Natalius Pigai emphasized that strengthening public advocacy does not run counter to the state, provided it is conducted within the framework of the law. In fact, he encourages the emergence of more champions of justice, truth, and humanity in Papua.
"As long as we have a voice, we must at least have the courage to speak out. Let more champions of justice, truth, and humanity emerge in Papua. If we compete to produce such advocates for humanity, the sun of justice will rise, starting from Central Papua," he said.
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https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/shoebridge/107048806
3) International Parliamentarians for West Papua convene in Canberra
4h ago
Play Duration: 11 minutes 57 seconds
West Papua's decades long campaign for self determination shifted to Canberra this week for the first meeting of the Australian chapter of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua.
The IPWP was set up in 2008 to promote awareness about West Papua's struggle against Indonesia, for independence.
Exiled West Papuan leader Benny Wenda set up the body and was in Canberra this week for its first meeting on Australian soil.
The IPWP meeting was convened on Monday by Greens Senator David Shoebridge, he said that members of his party, as well as the government and coalition were present.
"Fundamentally we wanted to be there to hear from West Papuans about what was happening on the ground and what Australia could do in terms of solidarity," he said. "What they had to tell us about what was happening on the ground was genuinely shocking and should be a call for action for Australian politicians.”
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West Papuans Show Support For The IPWP Meeting In Canberra
Merauke, Jubi – Several former terrorism convicts in Merauke Regency are working to rebuild their lives in the community after completing their legal proceedings, including plans to establish an educational institution.
One of the former terrorism convicts, Sigit Purnomo, said those now living in Merauke continue to receive support from the Indonesian National Police’s Densus 88 Anti-Terrorism Unit through communication and follow-up assistance.
He said the support has helped them feel that they have not been abandoned after completing
their sentences.
Sigit said their participation in Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day ceremony was one way of reaffirming their sense of patriotism.
“When we sing Indonesia Raya and recite the Pancasila, we are actually among the most vocal in doing so,” Sigit said after attending the 81st Independence Day ceremony at Katalpal Stadium in Merauke with other former terrorism convicts on Monday (Aug. 17, 2026).
He said their past experiences had given them a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining unity and respecting differences within society. Sigit said the former terrorism convicts in Merauke no longer wanted to focus solely on their own needs.
Instead, they wanted to contribute to the country by helping prepare the next generation through education.
He said some of his colleagues preferred establishing a school rather than
developing agricultural land.
“They would rather build a school, establish an educational institution. We do not want to think only about our own needs. We also want to contribute to this country by producing a generation of intelligent young people,” he said.
Sigit said a foundation had already been established to oversee the planned educational institution, and land for the project was also available. However, they still needed assistance with the licensing process and construction.
He hoped Densus 88’s continued support would help them turn their plans into reality, including establishing schools from primary through senior secondary levels.
For Sigit, the initiative represents a concrete effort to contribute to Indonesia as they rebuild their lives as citizens.
“If possible, we hope the Densus team can help us realize our dream of establishing an educational institution, whether it is a primary, junior secondary or senior secondary school, and help us turn this aspiration into reality rather than leaving it as merely a dream,” he said.
Sigit added that obeying the law, respecting regulations, avoiding actions that could harm others and living responsibly as citizens were among the ways they could demonstrate their commitment to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
“NKRI is not something we affirm through words, but through our actions and conduct. We obey the law and regulations, we do not violate them, we do not engage in corruption and we do not endanger society,” he said.
Head of the Papua Regional Task Force of Densus 88 Anti-Terrorism Unit, Comr. Putu Gede Surya Putra Mustika, added that former terrorism convicts receive assistance through the Idensos program, or Identification and Socialization.
According to Putu, the program is designed to help ensure that Densus 88’s partners can fully reintegrate into communities across South Papua.
He said those receiving assistance were former terrorism convicts who had returned
to the Republic of Indonesia after completing their legal proceedings.
“Our work is based on the principle of treating people with humanity,” Putu said.
He said support for former terrorism convicts should not focus solely on the offenses.they had committed.
Their legal proceedings had served as part of their accountability, while the state also had a responsibility to ensure that they continued to enjoy their rights and could fulfill their responsibilities as citizens.
“We need to ensure that, as citizens and as human beings, they receive their rights
and are able to fulfill their responsibilities as good citizens,” he said.
Putu said one issue requiring attention was the ability of former convicts to adapt to social and economic life after completing their legal proceedings. Economic hardship and limited resources, he said, could make individuals more vulnerable to radical ideologies.
For that reason, he said the state needed to prevent marginalization and help former
convicts rebuild stable lives within their communities.
In Merauke, Putu said the current security situation remained relatively stable. He said no remaining networks linked to intolerance, radicalism, extremism or terrorism had been identified.
“The public security situation in South Papua, particularly in Merauke, is very moderate. This is what we need to maintain,” he said.
However, Putu warned of a newer challenge affecting children: exposure to violent ideas and content through social media, digital devices and online games.
He said such threats did not always take the form of radical ideology but could instead involve the normalization of violence through children’s digital environments.
He cited several cases of violence involving children in other parts of Indonesia as a warning that the issue required attention from families, schools and communities.
“We need to be vigilant because we are also dealing with this issue in Papua, as we are in several other places,” he said.
Putu said there are currently 11 Densus 88 partners in Merauke, one in Jayapura and another person still serving a sentence in Jakarta.
He urged people in South Papua to work together to maintain the region as a safe and peaceful place by strengthening tolerance among religious and ethnic communities.
He also called on communities to reject radicalism and work together to prevent children from being exposed to violent ideas through social media. (*)
Wamena, Jubi – Fransina Daby, a member of the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Legislative Council (DPRP), has arranged for 31 children living on the streets of Jayawijaya Regency to continue their education in Jayapura, Papua.
Daby said the initiative was aimed at giving the children access to a proper education and a better future. The children were sent to Jayapura in two groups, with five leaving first, followed by another 26.
The second group of 26 children left for Jayapura to begin their schooling on Monday
(Aug. 17, 2026), coinciding with Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
“Five children had already left for Jayapura and have now started school. Today, on Indonesia’s Independence Day, I brought another 26 children to Jayapura. In total, we have sent 31 children from eight regencies across Papua Pegunungan to Jayapura so they can attend school,” Daby said in Wamena on Monday.
She said the initiative was a concrete effort to address the situation of children who have been living on the streets of Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya Regency.
“These children have been surviving on the streets of Wamena. They sleep on shopfronts and around Wamena Mall. They deserve a proper education,” she said.
Daby called for greater public concern and support to ensure that children living on the streets can access education. She said education would give them the opportunity to contribute to the development of Papua and Indonesia in the future.
She expressed confidence that with adequate educational support and guidance, the
number of children living on the streets in Papua Pegunungan could be reduced. (*)
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