Thursday, October 1, 2026

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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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 VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 
maleadult Indigenous Peoplesexecution, right to life, unlawful killing
2.1 
maleadult Indigenous Peoplesexecution, right to life, unlawful killing
3.1 
maleadult Indigenous Peoplesdisappearance, 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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3) Civil servant arbitrarily detained and tortured at Marine Post in Maybrat

/ 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 VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 Wilem Wakom
maleadult Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary 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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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 VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 Tilius Telenggen
male26 Activistarbitrary 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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