News Stories
Category: Human Rights
Indonesian police admit to torturing West Papuan activist with a snake
February 10, 2019
The Indonesian police have admitted to using a snake to torture and terrorise West Papuan activist Sam Lokon in Wamena. In a disturbing video which went viral on social media, the Indonesian police can be seen sadistically laughing and using a snake over two meters long to terrorise Sam Lokon, threatening to push it into […]
Indonesia signals it will allow UN to visit West Papua, after historic West Papuan people’s petition
January 30, 2019
Following the historic West Papuan people’s petition being delivered to the United Nations last week, The Guardian has reported that the Indonesian government has signalled it is willing to allow United Nations Human Rights inspectors to visit West Papua and help document human abuses. According to the Guardian website: ‘The office of the high commissioner […]
UN Human Rights Commissioner confirms receiving the West Papuan petition
January 29, 2019
Today, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, confirmed that High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet received the West Papuan People’s Petition on Friday 25th January. According to a report by CNN, Deputy Spokesperson for the High Commissioner, Ravina Shamdasani stated “In this meeting, a member of the Vanuatu delegation and Benny Wenda […]
West Papuan Petition for Referendum signed by 1.8 million people delivered to the UN
January 29, 2019
Jakarta, Indonesia CNN – the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has handed over a petition that was signed by 1.8 million people to demand a referendum on the independence of West Papua to the Chairperson of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations ( UN ), Michelle Bachelet. “Today is a historic […]
UK Parliamentarians welcome handing-in of historic West Papuan People’s Petition
January 28, 2019
A group of UK parliamentarians in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for West Papua have welcomed the handing-in of the historical West Papuan People’s Petition to the UN human rights chief. In a statement, the APPG said: The All-Party Parliamentary Group on West Papua is overjoyed to hear that the West Papuan People’s Petition has […]
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 […]