Urgent notice: 42 ULMWP representatives arrested by Indonesian police
August 5, 2025
On behalf of the people of West Papua, I condemn the arrest of the 42 ULMWP representatives last week by the Indonesian police. Indonesia has proven once again that fundamental human rights do not exist in West Papua.
John Wenggi, a 74-year-old tribal chief, was arrested at his residence during a political meeting in Waropen, Saireri, along with 41 other activists and ULMWP officials. All activists were detained for one night before being placed under house arrest for the next eight months. Mr Wenggi was also beaten while in custody and is currently on an IV drip at his home.
What possible justification is there for this vicious repression? Under international law, the ULMWP has the right to assembly and to peacefully advocate for democracy in our own land. This was a private political meeting, held in the home of a widely respected West Papuan elder. I call on international NGOs and solidarity groups to pressure your governments to condemn these arrests and call for the release of all remaining Papuan political prisoners.
Indonesia’s latest crackdown on West Papuan political life is clearly a response to the ULMWP Legislative Council’s first Plenary Session held in July. Following our historic meeting, during which we inaugurated more than 2300 official representatives, an Indonesian parliamentarian named Oleh Soleh warned that a new wave of repression was going to hit our movement. Using the slander “political criminal group” (KKP), he stated “The emergence of the KKP in Papua indicates that the situation in Papua is indeed not well. The KKB [“armed criminal group”] has not been resolved, and now the KKP has emerged”.
Soleh also said the following – a clear threat to the peaceful activities of the ULMWP Provisional Government: “Of course, these groups that disrupt the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), groups that disrupt unity, must be resolved immediately and effectively without any problems or casualties… Because this is a burning fire. If this continues, it will certainly be dangerous”. The strategy that has been formulated in the Indonesian Parliament and by the Indonesian police is now coming to fruition. But in their desperation to destroy the ULMWP’s peaceful mission for liberation, Indonesia shows just how weak their hold on West Papua truly is. The ULMWP now has roots in every city, town, and village throughout West Papua. We are a government-in-waiting and are ready to engage with the world. Indonesia is terrified of our growing strength.
I call on our allied legal, political, and solidarity groups to do all they can to protect other ULMWP representatives from arrest and imprisonment, particularly high-profile independence leaders like Prime Minister Edison Waromi and Legislative Council Chair Buchtar Tabuni. They are at serious risk as Indonesia intensifies its crackdown.
Indonesia must realise that no number of arrests will crush the West Papuan desire for independence. We are already prisoners in our land. As the legitimate representatives of the West Papuan people, the ULMWP invites President Prabowo to sit down with me and discuss an internationally-mediated referendum on independence. Ultimately, this is the only true path to a peaceful resolution in West Papua.
Benny Wenda
President
ULMWP
