News Stories
Category: Human Rights
Yanto Awerkion gives message to MSG following another trial adjournment
February 6, 2018
Yanto Awerkion, one of West Papua’s most prominent political prisoners has recorded a new video message today in secret, calling upon the leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to welcome West Papua back as a full MSG member at its leaders summit next week. Yanto’s trial has now…
Call to ACTION: West Papua applies for full MSG membership
February 4, 2018
New momentum needed for West Papua’s full MSG membership! From 10th to 15th February the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) will meet in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and discuss the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s application for full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
BBC journalists thrown out of West Papua for “upsetting Indonesian soldiers feelings”
February 3, 2018
Today 3rd February 2018, the Indonesian military threw BBC journalist and her film crew from West Papua after covering the ongoing health crisis in the Asmat region of the country.
36 Asian organisations submit memorandum to UN for West Papuan self-determination
January 30, 2018
On 26th January, the Malaysian Socialist Party submitted a memorandum to a United Nations representative in Kuala Lumpur, calling on the UN to support West Papuan self-determination and to recognize the historic West Papuan People’s Petition, signed by over 1.8 million people. The memorandum was endorsed by a total of…
Protest outside Australian Foreign office over West Papua Health Crisis
January 30, 2018
Today 29th January, people gathered in Canberra outside the office of Julie Bishop, the Foreign Minister of Australia to demand that she urgently address and take action over the health crisis in West Papua which has claimed the lives of over 100 West Papuan children.
At least 10 West Papuan people killed by the Indonesian military and police in 2017
January 24, 2018
The umbrella human rights organisation, the International Coalition for Papua (ICP), which presents evidence to the United Nations, has documented the extra-judicial killings of at least 10 West Papuan people by the Indonesian military and police in 2017 alone. Many others are also believed to have been killed.
Around 100 West Papuan children die from malnutrition and measles, more feared dead
January 23, 2018
In a shocking and desperate tragedy, over 100 West Papuan children have died from malnutrition, measles and chickenpox in remote areas of the country.
Yanto Awerkion’s trial adjourned again after prosecution witnesses ‘fail to answer questions’
January 12, 2018
‘Treason trial’ of Independence petitioner Yanto Awerkion adjourned until Tuesday 16th January after prosecution witnesses ‘fail to answer questions’ Independence activist facing 15-year jail sentence for supporting a petition Prosecution witnesses were unable to answer questions from the judge On Tuesday 9th January at 16:00 West Papua time, the trial
14 West Papuan activists arrested for flying a flag
January 10, 2018
We have received urgent reports from the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) that on 7th January at 09:13 (West Papua time), 14 activists were arrested by the Indonesian military and police.
Yanto Awerkion’s trial postponed until Thursday after Indonesian judge fails to show up to court
January 10, 2018
Yesterday West Papuan political prisoner Yanto Awerkion was in court facing charges of “treason” after helping to support the West Papuan People’s Petition. After months of postponing the trial following a lack of witnesses, the judge himself did not show up and so the trial has been postponed until Thursday…