News Stories
Category: News
West Papua Council of Churches calls for immediate UN investigation in West Papua
April 16, 2021
The West Papua Council of Churches (WPCC) has written to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on April 12, urging an immediate visit to West Papua to investigate the escalating ‘humanitarian crisis’. The WPCC, representing the four major denominations of Christians in West Papua, also wrote to the leaders of the Melanesian […]
UN human rights chief and Vanuatu condemn Indonesian abuses in West Papua
April 5, 2021
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has spoken out against the ‘alarming situation’ in West Papua in an update to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the 46th session on February 25. Vanuatu also expressed their concern over the ‘infringement of the human rights of the people of West Papua’ in […]
West Papua in 2021: arrests, abductions and plans for ethnic cleansing
January 18, 2021
Following the announcement of a Provisional Government of West Papua and rejection of Jakarta’s “Special Autonomy” renewal, the Indonesian state has pursued its strategy of aggressive arrests and violence against peaceful demonstrations for independence. ULMWP Chair Benny Wenda was named interim President of the Provisional Government on December 1, 2020, as the Papuan people roundly […]
Indonesia arrests own law-makers in new crack-down; UN responds
November 30, 2020
Eighty-four Papuans were arrested for ‘treason’ on November 17, 2020, in Merauke, as Indonesia moves to crush dissent in illegally occupied West Papua. Civil unrest is growing over Jakarta’s proposed extension of the failed 2001 ‘Special Autonomy’ law, set to expire on January 1, 2021. Those arrested included staff members and advisors of the Papuan […]
UK Government becomes 82nd state demanding UN access to West Papua
November 11, 2020
In a major victory for the ULMWP, the British Government has stated its support for a visit to West Papua by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Commissioner’s visit, a key demand of international states, would lead to an evidence-based report on the human rights situation in West Papua. Responding to a question […]
Freedom of Oxford to be awarded to Benny Wenda
July 12, 2019
Benny Wenda is to be awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City at a special meeting of the Full Council to be held in Oxford Town Hall, at 5pm on 17 July. The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Craig Simmons said: “It is my great honour as Lord Mayor to both…