News Stories
Category: Human Rights
For West Papuans, Indonesian Independence Day 2015 was a day of bloodshed
August 19, 2015
West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda has written this statement as a condolence message after the deaths of 54 people in the Oksibil plane crash in West Papua, and the murder of West Papuan man Fredi Wenda by the Indonesian military. Both happened on 16th August (Indonesian Independence Day) which
Australian Foreign Minister speaks to Free West Papua activists on Anniversary of “Act of Free Choice”
August 2, 2015
Today Free West Papua activists addressed the Australian government head on with important questions about supporting the West Papuan people. This is a significant date as it is exactly…
For Peace and stability Police must face justice for Tolikara shooting
July 24, 2015
Widespread and growing criticism of the shoddy way in which the Tolikara situation in West Papua has been handled by the security forces, has now reached the door of President…
Police chiefs under fire as police kill boy and inflame religious tensions
July 20, 2015
A 15 year old boy, Endi Wanimbo, has been shot dead and 11 others injured when police fired on a religious congregation in Karubaga, Tolikara district, West Papua on 17 July. So far no police have been named…
US condemns Indonesian human rights abuses in West Papua
July 13, 2015
The United States Government, through the US State Department has published it’s 2014 Human Rights report on Indonesia in which gross and persistent human rights violations by the Indonesian authorities in West Papua, were exposed in detail and heavily condemned.
Still no justice for Biak Massacre victims
July 6, 2015
On 6 July 1998, West Papuans demonstrating for independence on the island of Biak, West Papua, were murdered by Indonesian military and police and large numbers were detained. Today on the anniversary we remember the victims of those tragic events and repeat our demand for justice.
West Papua makes history with political recognition
June 26, 2015
MEDIA RELEASE 26th of June, 2015 Observer status has today been granted to West Papua by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) sub-regional bloc. After over 53 years of political struggle for the right to self-determination, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) representing West Papuan, was today…
Indonesian government cannot stand in way of West Papuan people
June 24, 2015
The only legitimate representatives of West Papua are the West Papuans themselves. For too long, provincial “governors” imposed by Jakarta have engaged in iron fist administration, and not in the interests of the people they purport to represent.
Over 150,000 West Papuans sign a pro ULMWP petition amid crackdown
June 17, 2015
We have just received this 40 minute video uploaded by a West Papuan activist showing the names of so far over 157,427 West Papuans who in just a few weeks have all signed a petition supporting the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) representing them in the Melanesian Spearhead
Torture and beatings of school students in West Papua
June 9, 2015
We have recently received a report about the torture of junior high students in Timika, West Papua, who were stripped and tortured by the Indonesian military and police who threatened to shoot them. According to information, on 23rd May, West Papuan students were angry with staff that…