The kidnapping of Phil Mehrtens is a sign the West Papuan independence movement is again becoming desperate to attract international attention, following decades of violent human rights abuses.
Papua, one of Indonesia’s most rural provinces, struggled with online learning during the COVID-19 crisis. Interestingly, it may just be the right moment to invest in Papua’s education technology.
Tensions have been building over the last month following the killing of an Indonesian intelligence chief. The government has vowed to ‘chase and arrest’ all armed militants in the region.
Biak inhabitants fear a new space project of Elon Musk, if it goes ahead, will damage their environment, cultures and livelihoods, and potentially displace local communities.
To bring attention to the renewed conflict in West Papua, Australian researchers are going back decades to document incidents of violence in a new mapping project.
While Pacific communities need robust public health reporting, local media face harassment and arrest while covering the crisis.
Members of Free West Papua Campaign Netherlands demonstrate in The Hague last September against excessive violence in West Papua by the Indonesian army.
Remko de Waal/EPA
International political dynamics sabotaged West Papuans’ attempts to ride the waves of decolonisation efforts by Asian and African countries throughout the 1940s to the 1960s.
Indigenous Marind in West Papua consider the forest and its plants and animals as kin. These culturally valued multispecies relations, however, are being disrupted by oil palm development projects.
Sophie Chao
Indigenous Marind in West Papua consider the forest and its plants and animals as kin. These culturally valued multispecies relations, however, are being disrupted by oil palm development projects.
Political arrests have been on the rise in recent years in restive West Papua, and the local population is pushing for a new referendum on independence.
Frans/EPA
Violence has returned to West Papua over the arrests of students for allegedly desecrating a flag. So much for the new push for reconciliation under Indonesia President Joko Widodo.
A West Papuan activist in traditional costume protests in Jakarta for Papuan self-determination.
EPA Images
The Indonesian government has back-pedalled on an announcement by the head of the country’s military that cooperation between the two countries would be suspended.
Raja Ampat is one of the richest in bio-marine life in the world. But many inhabitants of the cluster of islands in West Papua, Indonesia live in poverty.
The recent arrests of nearly 1,500 protesters in Jayapura are part of a broader systematic oppression of Papuans by the Indonesian government.
Reuters/Darren Whiteside
Benny Giay, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Walter Post Jayapura
Solving the problem of West Papua in a dignified manner should involve not only Indonesian authorities but also Papuans and the international community.
After releasing five Papuan political prisoners in May, President Joko Widodo declared Papua open to foreign media. But challenges to media freedom in Papua remain.
Antara News Agency
Although Indonesian President Joko Widodo declared Papua open for foreign media in May this year, government obstacles to access the restive region linger.
Joko Widodo is surrounded by politicians and military generals with agendas that are unlikely to help the Papuans.
EPA/Mast Irham
Conflicting policies on Papua reveal that the Indonesian government frame its easternmost region as a problem.
The Australian government, by supporting a motion passed by the Senate, expressed concern over restrictions to press freedom in West Papua.
AAP Image/Sue Wellwood
The Australian Senate passed a motion last week, with explicit support from the Foreign Minister’s office, expressing concern over the imprisonment of two French journalists for reporting in Indonesia’s…
Three West Papuan activists ‘took refuge’ in Australia’s consulate in Bali on the weekend. What is the actual state of play in the troubled region?
EPA/Bagus Indahono
Recent commentary has compared the situation in West Papua to genocide and drawn parallels to East Timor. There seems to be little doubt that human rights abuses have occurred over a long period of time…
West Papuan refugee Amos Wainggai is on board the Freedom Flotilla, headed for Papuan shores from Australia. What will it mean for our relations with Indonesia?
AAP/Cleo Mary Fraser
Given the extreme sensitivity with which the issue of West Papua is viewed in Indonesia, the “Freedom Flotilla” heading from Australia to the Indonesian-controlled territory is sure to create tension…