News Stories
Category: Human Rights
Press Release: Historic petition for West Papuan self-determination handed to UN High Commissioner amidst humanitarian crisis and alleged chemical weapons use
January 25, 2019
SUMMARY: The West Papuan People’s Petition calling for self-determination, signed by 1.8 million West Papuans, is handed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Concern over thousands of displaced Papuans as a result of Indonesian military operations in Nduga Regency; Chemical weapons deployed by Indonesian military. TEXT: West Papuan leader, Benny Wenda, today handed […]
URGENT APPEAL: HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN NDUGA, WEST PAPUA
January 22, 2019
Over the past month, thousands of indigenous West Papuans have been displaced after fleeing air strikes, hiding in the highland jungle without food, water, or access to health-care or shelter. According to recent local reports a mother, and her child and three other children have died due to starvation. The Indonesian army has sealed off […]
West Papuan leaders blame deaths of three babies on Indonesian crackdown
January 22, 2019
The Guardian reports: United Liberation Movement for West Papua says thousands of civilians displaced and 10 shot by Indonesian military Three babies who died during childbirth are among the civilian deaths West Papuan leaders are blaming on a brutal crackdown by Indonesian forces in the region of Nduga. They are calling for Indonesia to allow humanitarian […]
International Coalition for Papua on Nduga Case – Rescue team publishes first report on massacre and military raids
January 22, 2019
A rescue team consisting of church leaders, Nduga government representatives, local parliament members and civil society figures have published a report on the killing of 17 government contractors. The report also contains information on the rescue mission, which was launched on 13 December 2018 to evacuate the bodies of four more employees who were still […]
ULMWP Chairman Benny Wenda releases statement on Nduga crisis
January 21, 2019
I, Chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons by the Indonesian military on West Papuan civilians. Indonesian security operations over the last month have created a humanitarian crisis in the Nduga Regency. The ULMWP is receiving numerous reports that chemical burn-causing […]
The ULMWP releases statement on Nduga Crisis
January 17, 2019
UNITED LIBERATION MOVEMENT FOR WEST PAPUA Domestic Coordination Head Office, Jalan Mapilema, Wamena Lani-Pago Pago West Papua. Email: ulmwpoffice@gmail.com, Mobile Phone +6285244442502 For Immediate Release – Jayapura, West Papua 15 January 2019 The people of Nduga are caught in a humanitarian crisis as the Indonesian police and military crack down in the region. We record the […]
ULMWP Office raided by Indonesian police
January 16, 2019
On January 15th the Indonesian police raided and destroyed the office of the ULMWP Political Bureau and arrested 10 occupants. Indonesian Police, intelligence and military (TNI), carrying weapons in the form of firearms, came to the office of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), and dismantled the Office Nameplate and conducted a raid […]
Amnesty International calls for release of Papuan activists
January 16, 2019
Amnesty International is calling on Indonesia to drop treason charges against three Papuan political activists. Yanto Awerkion, Sem Asso and Edo Dogopia were among six members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) arrested in December, when police and military took over the group’s secretariat in Timika. The three men were detained on 5 January and […]
Support Grows in PNG for an Independence Vote in West Papua
January 8, 2019
There’s been renewed unrest and violence West Papua in recent months, and it’s gaining attention across the border in Papua New Guinea. People in PNG feel a strong connection to those on the other side of the island and there has been some renewed support for a referendum in the Indonesian territory. The calls are […]
KNPB members arrested: URGENT ADVOCACY NEEDED
December 31, 2018
Please be advised that Timika police have arrested six Komite Nasional Papua Barat (KNPB) members, including KNPB Timika chapter’s Deputy Chairman Yanto Awerkion, Many may be familiar with Awerkion from his previous arrest that resulted in the highly publicised #FreeYanto campaign. We ask that all human rights advocates please call Victor Dean Mackbon, Head of police in Timika […]