News Stories
Category: Human Rights
Attacks, disappearances and killings by unknown persons are now part of daily life for West Papuans
October 17, 2017
The statement below has been written by West Papuan Independence Leader Benny Wenda, following a spate of brutal human rights violations committed towards West Papuan people this month.
People gather in West Papua to give thanks at the success of the West Papuan People’s Petition
September 30, 2017
On Friday 29th September, people in Sentani, West Papua, gathered to give thanks at the success of the West Papuan People’s Petition which was presented to the United Nations on 26th September.
West Papuan youths tortured by the Indonesian military in Merauke
September 25, 2017
We have received urgent, unconfirmed reports from West Papua that yesterday 2 West Papuan youths were tortured by the Indonesian military in the city of Merauke. According to a victim’s testimony, on 24th September, the 2 West Papuan youths arrived at the city of Merauke from their village of Yanggandur…
Vanuatu supports West Papuan self-determination at the United Nations General Assembly
September 22, 2017
Today at the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, H.E. Mr. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas made an inspiring speech in which he reaffirmed the strong and consistent support of his people and nation for the people of West Papua. For half a century, the international community has witnessed
Solomon Islands condemns West Papua human rights abuses, at the UN Human Rights Council
September 20, 2017
Today at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the government of Solomon Islands reiterated its firm support for the human rights of the people of West Papua and condemned the increasing human rights violations against West Papuan people. Solomon Islands Permanent Representative, Minister Councilor Barrett Salato on behalf of the…
West Papua: Five facts about Indonesia’s occupation
September 20, 2017
Military repression, possible genocide, western collusion Indonesia refuses a referendum on self-determination & independence London, UK – 19 September 2017 By Connor Woodman, Politics of Papua Project, University of Warwick, UK The Indonesian president, Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, is desperate to keep hidden Indonesia’s dark, dirty secret: its brutal…
93 West Papuan children reportedly die from disease caused by Indonesian government negligence
September 14, 2017
93 children have died in West Papua due to systematic Indonesian government neglect
CALL TO ACTION: Help pressure the UN General Assembly on social media!
September 14, 2017
Starting on September 12, 2017, the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) commenced. It will run until September 25. We need as much help as possible in bringing the Indonesian occupation of West Papua to the attention of the world! Internationals events such as these are a…
Indonesian journalist faces up to 4 years in prison for comparing plight of Rohingya to plight of West Papuans
September 14, 2017
Indonesian veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker Dandhy Dwi Laksono is under criminal investigation by the Indonesian police for a Facebook post comparing the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar to the plight of the people of West Papua. According to Global Voices, Dandhy Dwi Laksono wrote that that ‘if Myanmar’s government is…
More of the same: human rights in West Papua, July-September 2017
September 13, 2017
Unsurprisingly, a litany of human rights abuses have continued to wrack occupied West Papua from July to September this year. As we documented, 2016 was a year of continued harassment, mass arrests, imprisonment and killings; 2017 has been similarly dire for West Papuans. Mass arrests Under President Joko Widodo, mass…