News Stories
Category: Human Rights
From the little prison to the big prison, finally Yanto Awerkion has been released
April 2, 2018
The following article was written by Benny Wenda, Chairman of The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), following the release of West Papuan political prisoner Yanto Awerkion. The article was originally published here. As the world celebrates Easter Sunday, in West Papua we are also celebrating the long-awaited release…
17 year old West Papuan boy dies in suspicious circumstances 1 day after being released from prison
March 27, 2018
The following article comes from Benar News and was written by West Papuan journalist Victor Mambor. It was originally published here. Teen’s Death Underscores Impunity in West Papua, Activists Say High school student Riko Ayomi was already dying when police brought him home in Sorong, a city on the western…
Yanto Awerkion sentenced to 10 months in jail
March 13, 2018
After 17 court cases and more than 9 months in jail, West Papuan political prisoner Yanto Awerkion has finally been sentenced and is due to be released by the end of the month.
Yanto Awerkion’s trial verdict reportedly to take place today
March 12, 2018
After 8 months in jail and 15 appearances in court, West Papuan political prisoner Yanto Awerkion’s trial verdict is finally set to take place tomorrow and under Indonesian law he could be given 15 year jail sentence for “treason”.
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.