News Stories
Category: Human Rights
President Wenda: Happy Independence Day to Papua New Guinea
September 15, 2025
On behalf of the West Papuan people, I wish our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea a happy Independence Day. Fifty years of independence is an amazing achievement. Papua New Guinea has developed into a strong free Melanesian state, retaining its tribal identity while becoming a regional leader at the Pacific Islands Forum and […]
UK complicity in ecocide in West Papua: Parliamentary launch
September 10, 2025
A new report about British involvement in occupied West Papua was launched yesterday (9th September 2025) in the UK Parliament. Professor David Whyte Barrister Jen Robinson, ILWP FWP Spokesperson Koteka Wenda The report, titled “Bringing it All Back Home: the role of British companies in the destruction of West Papua“, exposes the role of British corporations and investors […]
Benny Wenda: West Papua ready to depart from collapsing Indonesia
September 1, 2025
Indonesia is in chaos, as massive protests have erupted over corruption, economic hardship, and police brutality. I call on all my people to get ready for another escalation back home. West Papua is ready to depart from this dying empire. This time, the protestors’ conflict is not only with the TNI, but with the DPR, the Parliament that is […]
President Wenda: Indonesia kills West Papuans to celebrate Independence Day
August 28, 2025
Indonesia continues to murder children as they escalate their military operations across West Papua. Two schoolchildren were killed by the occupying military in the build up to Indonesian Independence Day: security forces also killed a 14-year-old girl in Puncak Jaya, while 13-year-old Martinus Tebai was murdered in Dogiyai on August 10th after soldiers opened fire on a […]
President Wenda: No Indonesian Independence Day Celebration in West Papua
August 14, 2025
As President of the ULMWP, I call on all West Papuans to refuse to take part in Indonesian Independence Day on August 17th. The presence of the Indonesian flag in West Papua is illegal. To my people, whether you are living in the cities, the villages, refugee camps in Papua New Guinea, or in hiding […]
President Wenda: Condolences on the death of Ambassador John Licht
August 12, 2025
On behalf of the ULMWP, I express my heartfelt sorrow and condolences on the death of John Licht, former Vanuatu Ambassador to Belgium, France, the UK and the EU. In his years of diplomatic service to the Republic of Vanuatu, Mr Licht was a constant champion of the West Papuan cause. He helped keep alive […]
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 […]
ULMWP President: Happy 45th Independence Day to Vanuatu
July 30, 2025
On behalf of the ULMWP and the people of West Papua, I wish the people and government of Vanuatu all the very best on your 45th Independence Day. This Independence Day is different from previous celebrations, as the entire Pacific holds its breath and braces for the impact of this tsunami. Nevertheless, as we all […]
Implementing democracy before independence: ULMWP inaugurates thousands of representatives
July 10, 2025
As President of the ULMWP Provisional Government, I welcome the Legislative Council’s first Plenary Session, which was held this week in Jayapura. After a year-long recruitment process, the ULMWP has now inaugurated 250 Senate Members, 350 Legislative Council Members, and 1740 Regional Council members: more than 2300 official representatives in total, ranging from the President […]
Interim President: Further Intan Jaya massacre shows West Papua needs MSG membership
June 19, 2025
I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of three West Papuans by Indonesian troops in Intan Jaya. The deadly incident occurred on 18th June, after soldiers conducted raids in the Sugapa district. Isak Kobogau, aged 43, Alphon Kobogau, aged 20, and John Tipagau, aged 40, were all shot dead while sheltering in their yard near […]