News related to West Papua

Nov 17, 2020

Empire-Building in Asia: the Belt and Road Initiative and its Impact on Minorities and Indigenous Communities

Opening the event, the UNPO General Secretary Ralph Bunche commented on the recent election held by the government of Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, which signaled yet another step in the unilateral annexation of the disputed territory as an official province of Pakistan, in direct contravention of UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir. In this context, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor...

Nov 17, 2020

Empire-Building in Asia: the Belt and Road Initiative...

On 17 November 2020, the UNPO held an online event to discuss the negative repercussions of China’s growing influence in Asia for unrepresented peoples. Taking place in parallel to the UN Forum on...

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Sep 01, 2020

West Papua: Remembering Last Year's Demonstrations...

Below is an article published by Green Left August marked one year since the racist attacks on West Papuan students in Surabaya that sparked a new West Papuan uprising. More than 100,000 people rose up...

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Jul 16, 2020

West Papua: Betrayed by the International Com...

Below is an article published by The Conversation Activism and protests marked West Papua’s 50th anniversary last year of the so-called Act of Free Choice, which formalised Indonesia’s control...

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Jul 09, 2020

West Papua: BLM Fuels "Papuan Lives Matter"...

Below is an article published by Jacobin The anti-racist protests in the United States have helped inspire movements against oppression and discrimination in many parts of the world. One striking example...

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Jun 11, 2020

West Papua: George Floyd Outrage Fuels Activi...

Below is an article published by Nikkei Asian Review The #BlackLivesMatter campaign has rippled from the U.S. into Asia, triggering echoes of solidarity and reviving calls to confront the continent's...

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Jun 08, 2020

West Papua: Harsh Prison Sentences for Protes...

Below is an article published by The Fiji Times The human rights watchdog TAPOL has condemned a demand by Indonesian prosecutors for a 17-year imprisonment for West Papuan activist Buchtar Tabuni. Tabuni...

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May 22, 2020

West Papua: Indonesia Considering Addressing Past...

Below is an article published by the Conversation Indonesia has recently indicated it is considering investigating the killings of hundreds of thousands of people in the 1965 “anti-communist”...

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May 13, 2020

Coronavirus: Indonesia Militarises WP

Below is an article by Morning Star WEST PAPUAN independence movement leader Benny Wenda has demanded “urgent attention from the international community” to claims that Indonesia is using...

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Apr 26, 2020

West Papua: Indonesia Continues Mining

Below is an article by Skylar Lindsay for ASEAN Today Indonesia is one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and with little oversight, coal mining companies in the archipelago have cleared...

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Apr 21, 2020

West Papua Political Prisoners UN Appeal

Below is an article published by RNZ, photo: Izaak Siahaja and Pelpina Siahaja (taken by Veronica Koman) Lawyers Jennifer Robinson and Veronica Koman, supported by human rights organisation...

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Apr 06, 2020

Coronavirus: West Papua initiates its own Lockdown...

Below is an article by MONGABAY The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has prompted authorities and indigenous peoples in Indonesia’s Papua region to shut down air and sea traffic and lock down...

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Apr 01, 2020

Coronavirus in the Pacific

Below is an article by The Guardian. Photograph: Kalo Fainu/The Guardian International travel bans have hamstrung testing efforts. Only Papua New Guinea and Fiji currently have any domestic testing capability....

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Oct 04, 2019

West Papua: Indonesian Government Uses Intimidation...

The article below was published by SBS News: A pro-Papuan lawyer who has been threatened with an Interpol Red Notice says she receives daily rape and death threats as the uprising in the Indonesian provinces...

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Sep 23, 2019

West Papua: United Nations Experts Urge Indonesia...

Below is an article published by RNZ: United Nations experts have urged Indonesia to protect the rights of lawyer Veronica Koman who advocates for West Papuan rights. They also urged Indonesia to protect...

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Sep 03, 2019

West Papua: Indonesian Security Forces Fire on...

Below is an article published by the Guardian: Three West Papuan students have reportedly been shot in their dormitories by militia groups amid growing tensions in the region, as disturbing footage emerged...

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Aug 28, 2019

West Papua: Protests Spotlight Demand for Independence...

The article below was published by Reuters: Thousands of Papuans staged another series of rallies on Monday in several towns of Indonesia's easternmost region, after protests that erupted last week over...

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Aug 23, 2019

West Papua: Indonesia Ramps Up Efforts to Violently...

  Below is an article published by The Guardian: Indonesia has deployed more than 1,000 security personnel to West Papua and cut internet access, amid days of violent demonstrations in what activists...

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Aug 19, 2019

West Papua: Large Protests Erupt After Wave of...

  The article below was published by Al Jazeera: Large demonstrations in Indonesia's West Papua region have erupted as protesters, angered by alleged police abuse against ethnic Papuan students,...

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Aug 07, 2019

West Papua: Pacific Islands Unified in Condemnation...

  Below is an article published by The Interpreter: One of the criticisms of the Pacific Islands Forum over the years relates to the regional grouping’s limited ability to advance its agenda...

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Jul 24, 2019

West Papua: Members of UK House of Lords Condemn...

The below statement is (re)published by The Guardian: We, members of the House of Lords, would like to draw Jeremy Hunt’s attention to the severe restrictions on press freedom in Indonesian-occupied...

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Jul 13, 2019

West Papua: Armed Groups Agree to Civilian Control...

Below is an article published by ABC Australia: A West Papuan independence organisation has claimed to have unified three armed separatist groups to lobby for independence from Indonesia and "take over...

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Jun 06, 2019

West Papua: Activists Claim Successful Boycott...

  Below is article published by Asia Pacific Report: It may be more than a month since Indonesians went to the polls, but the country is still [June 2019] being shaken by violence related to the...

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May 02, 2019

West Papua: Human Rights Lawyer Takes Indonesian...

  The article below was published by The Guardian:   An Indonesian human rights lawyer is among those taking the Indonesian police to court on behalf of all West Papuans, in an unprecedented...

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Apr 24, 2019

West Papua: Three Detained for Planning Public...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand:   Three West Papuans will today [23 April 2019] appear in an Indonesian court on treason charges. Yanto Awerkion, Sem Asso and Edo Dogopia...

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Apr 04, 2019

West Papua: Military Violence Forced Thousands...

Article published by RNZ The estimate is the gravest yet in a months-long war between security forces and liberation fighters in Papua. The group, Front Line Defenders, claims more than 32,000 people...

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Mar 05, 2019

West Papua : Indonesian Government Deploys Hundreds...

Article below posted by Radio NZ   The security build-up around the project, which was promised in January, threatens to deepen escalating violence in the Highlands regions. The Antara state news...

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Feb 22, 2019

West Papua: Indonesian Authorities Use Living...

The article below was published by Meaww: Authorities in Indonesia have apologized after a video of some of their officers using a live snake to interrogate a man went viral on social media. The footage...

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Feb 22, 2019

West Papua: UN Experts Statement Condemns Human...

The statement below was published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:   Prompt and impartial investigations must be carried out into numerous cases of alleged killings, unlawful...

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Jan 31, 2019

West Papua: UNHCHR Workers Allowed in Indones...

This article was published by the Guardian: Indonesia has agreed in principle to allow the UN office of the human rights commissioner into West Papua amid continuing violence in the region. The...

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Jan 30, 2019

West Papua: Petition Calling for Self-Determination...

The article below was published by the green left weekly On 25 January [2019], Benny Wenda, chairperson of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), handed a petition signed by 1.8 million...

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Jan 09, 2019

West Papua: Indonesian Army Accused of Using Banned...

The article below was published by The Saturday Paper There are burns around the wounds. The flesh appears to have been torn open or burrowed into, the victims’ clothing melted or cut away. At least...

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Nov 23, 2018

West Papua: Supporters of Self-Determination Present...

The article below was published by the Guardian: Every colonial enterprise pretends to be inspired by something other than theft. The General Act of the Berlin Conference in 1885, under which the European...

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Oct 04, 2018

West Papua: Independence Activist Considered for...

The article below was published by The Oxford Student:   Benny Wenda, the leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, is to be considered for the Freedom of Oxford award in a Council...

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Oct 02, 2018

West Papua: Three Pacific Leaders Denounce Indonesia’s...

Article below originally published by Radio NZ Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai, a long time supporter of West Papuan self-determination, told the General Assembly in New York that decolonisation...

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Sep 06, 2018

West Papua: Mass Arrests After Peaceful Demonstration...

The article below was published by RNZ: Dozens of West Papuans were arrested by Indonesian police in Jayapura yesterday [4 September 2018] for staging a demonstration for self-determination. According...

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Aug 13, 2018

West Papua: Vanuatu Asks for International Support...

The article below was published by Asia Pacific Report: Vanuatu has asked Pacific Islands Forum member states to support its resolution to the United Nations General Assembly next year to grant West Papuans...

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Jun 07, 2018

West Papua: Freedom of Speech Denied to West ...

The article below was published by The New York Times: Yanto Awerkion knew quite well that he would infuriate the local Indonesian authorities for organizing a meeting to discuss a petition for an independence...

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Mar 16, 2018

West Papua: Yanto Awerkion Sentenced to Jail for...

The article bellow was originally published by Radio New Zealand: Yanto Awerkion was arrested last May [2017] in Timika because of his involvement with a petition calling for West Papuan independence...

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Feb 07, 2018

West Papua: Indonesian Government Ejects BBC Reporters...

The article below was published by Hawai’i Public Radio.     The Indonesian government expelled a BBC crew from West Papua after a series of tweets “hurt the feelings of soldiers.”...

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Jan 05, 2018

West Papua: Civilians Injured by Indonesian Security...

  The article below was published by Free West Papua: On 21st December, we received reports from a grouping of Indonesian and West Papuan human rights groups on the shooting and torture...

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Sep 27, 2017

West Papua: Right to Self-Determination Needs...

  The article below was published by ASEAN Economist: The UN has been accused by Melanesian leaders of ignoring human rights abuses in the unstable Indonesian province of Papua and demanded global...

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Aug 28, 2017

West Papua: �Swim for Papua�...

The article below was published by SCOOP A British swim team are set to swim a crushing 30 hours straight across Lake Geneva to deliver a petition calling for self-determination in West Papua to the UN....

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Aug 22, 2017

West Papua: Hundreds Arrested after Holding Rallies...

  The article below was published by UCA News: Hundreds of people were arrested during protests held in several Indonesian cities to mark the 55th anniversary of an agreement that saw West Papua...

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Aug 03, 2017

West Papua: Students Rally for West Papuan Independence...

  The article below was published by the Jakarta Post: Around 30 students of the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) Bali held a rally on Wednesday to demand West Papuan independence. They...

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May 31, 2017

West Papua: Right to Self-Determination Recognised...

Below is an article published by SCOOP World: Political support in New Zealand for an independent West Papua is growing after a “historic declaration” was signed during free West Papua advocate...

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May 09, 2017

West Papua: Locals Share Accounts of how Indonesian...

Below is an article by New Internationalist   How does living under the occupation affect the lives of ordinary West Papuans? Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman spoke to five current...

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May 09, 2017

West Papua: Locals Share Accounts of how Indonesian...

Below is an article by New Internationalist   How does living under the occupation affect the lives of ordinary West Papuans? Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman spoke to five current...

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Apr 05, 2017

West-Papua: Concerns Over Rapprochement Between...

  Below is an article published by RNZ The Solomon Islands government says its strong stance on issues relating to West Papua is separate from proposed policing co-operation with Indonesia. Along...

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Mar 23, 2017

West Papua: Human Rights Watch Calls Out Indonesian...

  Below is an article published by Human Rights Watch: French journalists Jean Frank Pierre and Basille Marie Longchamp learned firsthand last week [March 2017] the Indonesian authorities’...

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Mar 14, 2017

West Papua: Government Concedes to Villagers’...

  Below is an article published by The Jakarta Post: Villagers in West Papua have vowed not to let their forests be encroached by logging and palm oil companies, like what happened on Sumatra and...

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Mar 08, 2017

West Papua: Pacific Islanders Defy Indonesia’s...

Below is an article published by Pasifik: Indonesia’s scathing attack on Vanuatu at the 34th UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session is an attempt to divert the international community’s attention...

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Mar 02, 2017

West Papua: Vanuatu Calls for More Attention to...

  Below is an article published by SBS News: Seven Pacific island nations have called for a UN investigation into allegations of human rights abuses in Indonesia's West Papua and Papua provinces,...

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Feb 23, 2017

West Papua: Man Fleeing Persecution Deported by...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand: A West Papuan English teacher, who escaped persecution to an Australian island in the Torres Strait, claims he was deported to Papua New Guinea's...

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Feb 10, 2017

West Papua: Brown Political Review Calls on Australia...

Below is an article published by Brown Political Review: The Indonesian occupation of West Papua has been described as a “neglected genocide”, a crime against humanity being committed on a...

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Jan 26, 2017

West Papua: Four Students Detained for Alleged...

  The following article was published by The Jakarta Post:   The detention of four students from Papua who have been accused of treason by Manado Police, has been extended to February...

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Jan 19, 2017

HRW World Report 2017 Reminds Global Community...

According to the World Report’s emphasis, the most egregious human rights violations against indigenous populations in 2016 can be seen in the crackdowns on Oromo in Ethiopia, the lingering human...

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Jan 19, 2017

West Papua: Website Covering Human Rights Violations...

Below an article published by EngageMedia: Several days ago, the Indonesian government announced that it had blocked 800,000 websites since December 2016. According to Samuel Abrijani Pangerapan, the...

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Jan 12, 2017

West Papua: Recurrent Tensions between Australia...

Below an article published by Radio New Zealand: Indonesia's foreign minister has urged Australian authorities to act against a protestor who scaled the roof of the country's consulate in Melbourne and...

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Jan 05, 2017

West Papua: Melanesian Spearhead Group Seeks to...

Below an article published by the Solomon Star: The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is considering full membership by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. Indonesia currently has associate...

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Dec 13, 2016

West Papua: Demonstrations Demanding Self-Determination...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand: At least 6000 West Papuans are estimated to have demonstrated in the Papuan Highlands town of Wamena to mark Human Rights Day at the weekend [10-11...

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Dec 01, 2016

West Papua: Police Denies Protesters the Right...

  Below an article published by ABC News: West Papuan protesters faced off with police in the Indonesian capital on Thursday [1 December 2016] in a demonstration calling for the remote region's...

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Nov 10, 2016

West Papua: Local Community Accuses Conglomerate...

The article below is courtesy of Corp Watch: The Yerisiam Gua indigenous community of West Papua filed a complaint six months ago against a Sri Lankan owned conglomerate for taking over their land to...

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Nov 02, 2016

West Papua: Ruthless Economic Exploitation and...

Below is an article published by The Guardian: A recent fact-finding mission (by the Brisbane Archdiocese’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission) described a “slow-motion genocide” taking...

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Oct 21, 2016

Continuing Restrictions on Free Expression in...

As the experiences by Ms Wayar reveal, journalists working in West Papua are limited in their freedom of expression out of fear of legal and social sanctions if they openly display their genuine opinions....

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Oct 18, 2016

West Papua: Widodo’s Infrastructure Projects...

The article below was published by UCAnews: Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s development of Papua needs more emphasis on human rights, according to activists. Father Neles Tebay, a Papuan activist...

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Oct 11, 2016

West Papua: Melanesian Spearhead Group Membership...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand: A Vanuatu churchman says there are plans underway to ensure West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group before Christmas. Summit...

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Sep 30, 2016

West Papua: Solomon Islands’ Solidarity Perseveres...

Below is an article published by Papua New Guinea Today:              In response to Indonesia, Solomon Islands insisted its right and that of six other Pacific Island...

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Sep 26, 2016

West Papua: Leaders of Pacific Islands Express...

The following article was published by RadioNewZealand:  Leaders of six Pacific Island nations have highlighted concern about West Papua while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.  At...

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Sep 20, 2016

West Papua: 89 New Arrests of Peaceful Protesters...

Below an article published by Asia Pacific Report: Thousands of people have rallied across West Papua this week demanding independence and their right to self-determination. The Free West Papua Campaign...

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Sep 14, 2016

West Papua: Civil Society Disappointed with Lack...

The statement below was published by Radio New Zealand: Pacific Islands Forum leaders have been accused of hollow talk about listening to the people of the region on important issues like West Papua....

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Sep 07, 2016

West Papua: Pacific Nations Must Help According...

  The article below was published by the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation:   Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has said Pacific Islands nations have a duty as closest neighbours to...

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Aug 25, 2016

West Papua: New Zealand’s Maori Students March...

The article below is published by Radio New Zealand Hundreds of Māori students marched to New Zealand's parliament today calling for freedom for West Papua. The march was met at the steps of parliament...

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Aug 23, 2016

West Papua: Security Appointment by Indonesia...

The article below is published by East Asia Forum In July, Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo courted controversy by appointing a former New Order general who has been accused of human...

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Aug 05, 2016

West Papua: Refugees Grateful For Allocated Land...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand:    Many West Papuans fled into PNG in the 1980s to escape persecution and military attacks in their homeland after it became part...

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Jul 26, 2016

West Papua: Diaspora in Australian Gains Visibility...

 Below is an article published by Buzzfeed “The situation that is happening in the United States, the violence against the African Americans, we have seen that same thing happening in West...

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Jul 18, 2016

West Papua: New Zealand PM to Discuss Indonesia’s...

  Here is an article published by: Scoop John Key’s talks with President Joko Widodo in Indonesia later today need to include a discussion of the deteriorating human rights situation in West...

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Jul 01, 2016

West Papua: Anger as Indonesia Special Forces...

Below is an article published by Asia-Pacific Report One witness, claims that Pekei was seen riding on a motorbike carrying a noken bag bearing the outlawed Morning Star pro-independence symbol. Police...

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Jun 28, 2016

West Papua: Indonesia Accused of Human Rights...

  Photo courtesy of Radio New Zealand. Below is an article by Radio New Zealand:  Indonesia has strongly rejected statements about West Papua by Vanuatu and Solomon Islands at the UN Human...

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Jun 24, 2016

West Papua: AHRC Laments Indonesia’s Lack of...

  Below is an article published by Asia Pacific Report:  After monitoring twenty months of the human rights situation in Papua and West Papua provinces under Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s...

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Jun 16, 2016

West Papua: 1000 Arrested for Calling for Ind...

Below is an article publishe by: Radio New Zeland   The protesters took to the streets in Sentani, near Papua's provincial capital Jayapura, to demand that an independent body conduct human rights...

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May 24, 2016

West Papua: Police and Military Responsible for...

  Photo courtesy of The Jakarta Post.  Below is an article published by The Jakarta Post: To resolve human rights cases in Papua, the biggest challenge for the government comes from the police...

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May 13, 2016

West Papua: Plight has become a Humanitarian ...

  Below is an article written by Radio New Zealand: A church leader from Indonesia's Papua region who is in New Zealand raising awareness about conditions in his homeland says West Papua is a...

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Apr 21, 2016

West Papua: Indonesia Systematically Extends Its...

  Below is an article published by Asia Pacific Report:  Occupied by Indonesia since 1963, the western half of the island of New Guinea – known to advocates of independence as West Papua...

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Apr 12, 2016

West Papua: Excessive Use of Force by Police and...

  Below is an article published by Asia Pacific Report:  The Asian Human Rights Commission has condemned the forced dispersal of peaceful Papuan protesters and their illegal arrest in Kampung...

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Mar 17, 2016

West Papua: Solomon Islands Raise Concerns over...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand:   Solomon Islands has raised concern about human rights violations in the Indonesian Province of West Papua at the United Nations Human...

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Mar 14, 2016

West Papua: Catholic Organisation Denounces Slow-Motion...

  Photo courtesy of Radio New Zealand.  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand:   Allegations of recent Indonesian military and police intimidation, beatings and torture,...

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Mar 04, 2016

West Papua: Catholic Priest Interrogated for ...

Photo courtesy of UCANews. Below is an article published by UCANews:   Dozens of young Catholics in West Papua protested in the provincial capital Manokwari March 2, demanding that police stop...

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Mar 01, 2016

West Papua: PNG PM Continues Dialogue with Indonesian...

  Below is an article by Radio New Zealand, The newspaper, the National, reports that Mr O'Neill's comment came after he met with his Solomon Islands counterpart, Manasseh Sogavare in Port Moresby. As...

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Feb 09, 2016

West Papua: Over 1000 Asylum Claims Will Be Reviewed...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International   Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato has indicated the government is reviewing asylum claims by over 1,000...

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Feb 04, 2016

West Papua: Indonesia’s Alleged ‘Secret Strategy’...

  Below is an article published by The Sydney Morning Herald:   Jakarta: Indonesian authorities compiled a secret dossier of prominent Papuans that details their "weaknesses"...

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Jan 22, 2016

West Papua: US Government Interested in Protecting...

Below is an article by Radio New Zealand The United States government has indicated it wants to help protect the endangered forests of West Papua. This follows a trip to the Indonesian provinces of Papua...

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Dec 17, 2015

West Papua: In Need of Media Coverage and International...

Now more than ever, say activists, media access to West Papua is crucial in order to bring global attention to a planned smelter, and to give the world a true understanding of the human rights situation...

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Dec 14, 2015

West Papua: Refugees in Western Province to Receive...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: Papua New Guinea's deputy chief migration officer says processes are underway to grant citizenship to about 3,000 West Papuan...

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Dec 09, 2015

International Relations Students Visit UNPO

UNPO was happy to receive this large number of enthusiastic young people in order to acquaint them with the situation of unrepresented and marginalised nations and peoples. The UNPO Treasurer Jeroen Zandberg...

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Dec 04, 2015

West Papua: Country Celebrates National Day

West Papuans living in Papua New Guinea today have joined hands with the rest of the world in commemorating their National Day at Jack Pidik Park in Port Moresby. This event marked West Papua’s...

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Nov 23, 2015

West Papua: Activist Released after 11 Years of...

  Below is a press release from Amnesty International:    Papuan pro-independence activist Filep Karma tasted freedom yesterday after being unjustly jailed for more than a decade for...

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Nov 19, 2015

Melanesian Dreams: A film by Rohan Radheya on...

  On May 10 2015, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia lifted the ban on journalists, activists and human rights workers to work in West-Papua. Rohan Radheya was the first official journalist allowed...

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Nov 12, 2015

West Papua: Indonesia President Fails to Lift...

  The below article was published by UCANEWS.com: Indonesian authorities continue to restrict foreign media access to the restive Christian-majority provinces of Papua and West Papua, despite assurances...

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Nov 05, 2015

West Papua: Urging the Release of Political P...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: Despite a handful of Papuan political prisoners being freed recently by Indonesia's president, there's a lot more still languishing...

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Oct 30, 2015

West Papua: Women Most Affected by Indonesian...

Below is an article published by The Guardian:   West Papuans have struggled for their freedom since they were annexed by Indonesia and robbed of their right to a fair referendum in 1969. While...

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Oct 14, 2015

West Papua: Catholic Activists Denounce Police...

Catholic activists in Indonesia's Papua province [West Papua]  have denounced what they say are repressive measures after police detained six seminarians taking part in a peaceful rally in early October. Six...

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Oct 09, 2015

West Papua: Indonesian Military Commander Apologises...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: An Indonesian military commander in Papua region has officially apologised to the people of Papua for unethical actions of soldiers. Cenderawasih...

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Oct 05, 2015

West Papua: Solomon Islands PM Calls for Protection...

Below is an article published by EMTV :   Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to increase efforts in carrying out investigations...

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Sep 28, 2015

West Papua: Earthquake Injures 62

Dozens were injured Friday [25 September 2015] when another Indonesia natural disaster hit in the eastern part of the country with a magnitude of 6.6 at 15:53 GMT. Hundreds of people were taken to emergency...

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Sep 10, 2015

West Papua: Solomon Island’s Support Applic...

The below article was published by Radio New Zealand:   The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will push for a West Papuan group to be admitted to the Pacific Islands Forum at the...

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Sep 01, 2015

West Papua: Recent Killings during Celebration...

Below is an article by Radio New Zealand International Pacific churches have condemned the killing of two West Papuans in shooting involving Indonesian soldiers, last week. They have called on regional...

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Jul 09, 2015

West Papua: Like East Timor Just Before Independence?...

  Below is an article by ABC News The situation in the Indonesian province of West Papua is similar to East Timor just before independence, a West Papuan activist has announced at a protest in...

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Jul 08, 2015

West Papua: Human Rights Protestors Evicted

  A group of West Papua activists has been evicted from the grounds of the Northern Territory Parliament House in Darwin after they erected a hut as an “embassy” and spent two days...

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Jun 10, 2015

Dutch Journalist Reports Undercover From West...

  In May 2015, Rohan Radheya travelled to West Papua as an undercover journalist with the aim of meeting with several political prisoners and visiting the headquarters of the Organisasi Papua Merdeka...

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Jun 03, 2015

West Papua: French Journalist Doubts Indonesia...

  Below is an article published by Radio Australia: A French journalist who was jailed in West Papua last year for not having the correct entry permit says he doubts Indonesia will follow through...

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Jun 01, 2015

West Papua: Media Freedoms Continue to be Held...

  It appears to be business as usual this week for Indonesian government officials intent on maintaining the decades-long restrictions on foreign media access to the far eastern provinces of Papua...

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May 27, 2015

West Papua: Foreign Journalists Still Subject...

  Below is an article by The Jakarta Post The government will maintain the function of the controversial clearing house that is authorized to issue permits to foreign journalists to travel to Papua...

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May 26, 2015

West Papua: Jokowi Announces Indigenous People...

  Below is an article published by The Jakarta Post: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has just completed his second visit to Papua — ahead of two more to go in 2015, as was promised...

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May 23, 2015

“Know Your Identity! – Identification and...

The conference will be preceded by the opening of the new office of the NGRWP in the Netherlands. According to the West Papua representative, the “registration of West Papuan people is very important,...

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May 12, 2015

West Papua: Foreign Journalists Allowed into West...

  Below is an article published by Vice News: Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced on Sunday that foreign journalists will be allowed to travel unhindered to West Papua, a region where a...

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May 11, 2015

West Papua: Activist Awarded Gwangju Human Rights...

  The 2015 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee has chosen Latifah Anum Siregar, a human-rights lawyer, as the recipient of the prize, for her peace movement in the conflict region of West Papua.  West...

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May 05, 2015

West Papua: Protesters around the World Demand...

  Below is an article published by: Pacific Scoop Dozens of demonstrators dressed in black gathered outside the Indonesian Embassy in London this week to lead the global protest against West Papua’s...

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Apr 16, 2015

West Papua: PFF Calls for MSP Membership for the...

  Below is an article published by Solomon Star: West Papua must be given full membership at the Melanesian Spearhead Group, says the Pacific Freedom Forum. "The people of West Papua have long...

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Apr 10, 2015

West Papua: New Evidence Found on ‘Paniai M...

Below is an article published by Scoop World: New video footage showing the bloody aftermath of the ‘Paniai massacre’ in West Papua highlights the urgent need for Indonesia to hold an independent...

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Apr 02, 2015

West Papua: Provinces Still Mostly without Media...

  Below is an article published by CPJ:   With more than 50 years of restricted media access, one of the least covered armed conflicts in the world is the long-simmering struggle between Indonesia's...

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Mar 30, 2015

West Papua: Papua New Guinea PM Calls for Aut...

  Below is an article published by ABC News: Mr O'Neill told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program that Mr Yudhoyono had discussed this intention with him during a bilateral meeting when...

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Mar 27, 2015

UNPO In Action For Vanuatu Emergency

  An environmental disaster On 13 March 2015, Vanuatu was hit by tropical Cyclone Pam. The Archipelago was not prepared for the Cyclone which entered the country with wind gusts of 300 kilometer...

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Mar 12, 2015

West Papua: Pro-Independence Leader Requests Membership...

Below is an article published by Solomon Star: Exiled West Papuan pro-independence leader Benny Wenda is hoping Fiji will support his movement's bid for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He...

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Mar 06, 2015

West Papua: Justice for the Paniai Five

An overview of the demonstration can be found in the following article: UNPO Supports West Papua in Their Struggle for Justice The purpose of the demonstration is to demonstrate against the action...

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Mar 06, 2015

West Papua: Regional Advocacy Groups Condemn Journalists’...

  Below is an article published by The Guardian Reports journalists were instructed not to ask questions about West Papua during a three-nation tour by the Indonesian foreign minister have been...

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Mar 06, 2015

UNPO Supports West Papua in Their Struggle for...

During a protest on 8 December 2014 in the highlands region of Paniai, five West Papuan youth were killed by Indonesian troops and police. The demonstration was aimed at demanding for justice for the Paniai...

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Mar 04, 2015

UNPO Submits Reports on the Rights of Rehoboth...

  The indigenous West Papuans are being deprived of their ancestral lands by the Indonesian government. Hereby, the Indonesian government damages the culture of the West-Papuans. Moreover,...

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Mar 03, 2015

West Papua: Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister says he raised the issue of human rights in West Papua and Papua in talks with Indonesia's...

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Feb 24, 2015

West Papua: Fijian Petition Launched to Show Public...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: The Fiji Times paper reports all Fijians are urged to sign the petition launched at Suva's Sukuna Park last Friday [20 February 2015]...

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Feb 20, 2015

West Papua: Rugby Players Express Their Support...

  Below is an article published by Radio Australia: The Fiji Rugby Union posted a photo of four Pacific players holding the flag of West Papua on social media, in a show of support for the Indonesian...

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Feb 06, 2015

West Papua: New Guinea Prime Minister Vows to...

Below is an article published by ABC: "Sometimes we forget our own families, our own brothers, especially those in West Papua," Mr O'Neill said. "I think, as a country, time has come for us to speak...

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Feb 05, 2015

West Papua: Plan for Establishment of Protected...

  Below is an article published by the Epoch Times:   A half-kilometer south of the village of Demaisi, Yohan Ullo pulls weeds from his garden. The 50 square meters of land was only recently...

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Jan 26, 2015

West Papua: Minimal Progress in Investigation...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International:   The Indonesia researcher for Amnesty International says there is little sign of progress being made in the investigation...

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Jan 16, 2015

West Papua: No Change in Human Rights Situation...

The Australia West Papua Association says there was no improvement in the human rights situation in the region in 2014, despite some governments claiming abuses against Papuans are a thing of the past. Its...

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Jan 13, 2015

West Papua: Lack of Basic Protection from Indonesian...

Below is an article published by Pacific Scoop; Six Papuans were killed and at least 22 others suffered injuries as a result of indiscriminate shootings by military and police officers on 8 December 2014...

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Dec 15, 2014

West Papua: Indonesian President Asked to Fully...

Below is an article published by Pacific Scoop; Human rights activists have demanded that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo form an independent team to probe a shooting in Paniai, Papua, this...

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Dec 10, 2014

West Papua: Five Civilians Killed by Indonesian...

Below is an article published by The Age:   Five West Papuan people were shot dead and 12 others injured when Indonesian troops and police fired into a crowd of civilians in the highlands region...

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Dec 02, 2014

West Papua: Events Held Around the World to Mark...

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International:   Solidarity events are being held today around the world to mark West Papua Flag Day.  1 December 2014 is the 53rd...

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Nov 25, 2014

West Papua: 11 Arrested and One Shot by Police...

Below is an article published by Pacific.Scoop Jayapura — On Wednesday 19 November  West Papua National Committee (KNPB) member Ansalmus Pigay suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg after...

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Nov 06, 2014

West Papua: Indonesian Transmigration Program...

  Below is an article published by UCA News: Maintaining Indonesia’s transmigration program in Papua will threaten indigenous culture and further destabilize an already troubled area, critics...

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Nov 03, 2014

West Papua: Jailed French Journalists Return to...

French journalists Thomas Dandois and Valentine Bourrat have returned to France after being detained for 11 weeks in the Indonesian Melanesian province of Papua, where a court in Papua’s capital,...

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Oct 30, 2014

West Papua: Jokowi’s Credibility at Stake after...

Below is an article published by Crikey: Indonesia’s new President has talked of hope and reconciliation as regards West Papua, but appointing a hard-line former general sends a different message,...

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Oct 22, 2014

West Papua: New Indonesian President Urged to...

Below is an article published by the Jakarta Post:   Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo should use his first official visit to Papua and West Papua on Thursday [23 October 2014]...

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Oct 20, 2014

West Papua: Newly-Elected Indonesian President...

Below is an article published by The Sydney Morning Herald: Joko Widodo, who on Monday [20 October 2014] will be inaugurated as Indonesia's second directly elected president, will quickly move to salve...

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Oct 16, 2014

West Papua: Indonesian Authorities Continue Crackdown...

Below is an article published by ucanews.com:   The arrests on Monday [13 October 2014] of 49 Papuan protesters represent a deterioration of freedom of expression, Jakarta-based human rights watchdog...

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Oct 08, 2014

West Papua: Australia Passes Motion to Release...

  Below is the press release published by The Sydney Morning Herald:   The Abbott government has risked insulting Indonesia again by calling explicitly for more openness in its most sensitive...

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Oct 02, 2014

West Papua: Australian Government Calls on Indonesians...

Below is an article published by Sydney Morning Herald: The Abbott government has risked insulting Indonesia again by calling explicitly for more openness in its most sensitive province, West Papua. A...

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Sep 24, 2014

West Papua: Media Freedom Must be Ensured

  Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: A Green Party MP has urged the returning government in New Zealand to make good on the recently passed parliament resolution to...

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Aug 28, 2014

West Papua: New Law Could Affect Activists

Below is an article published by Radio New Zeeland International: The new law would mean those seen to be encouraging or promoting terrorism would be in breach, and concerns have been raised that this...

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Aug 18, 2014

West Papua: Auckland University Hosts Seminar...

Below is an article published by the Pacific Scoop:   Political activists are using this month’s [August] “Pacific shame” seminar in New Zealand to highlight the plight of indigenous...

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Aug 05, 2014

West Papua: A Motion to Call for Media Freedom...

Below is an article published by Free West Papua Campaign:  We are very happy to report that history was made yesterday [31 July 2014]as the New Zealand Parliament officially passed a motion calling...

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Jul 30, 2014

West Papua: Forum Leaders Should Address Human...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: The Pacific Islands Forum leaders in Palau have been urged to discuss human rights violations in West Papua. The Australian West Papua...

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Jul 15, 2014

West Papua: Nation-wide Boycott Of Presidential...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: The West Papua National Committee has reported that many people in Indonesia's Papua region supported its call to boycott this week's...

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Jul 07, 2014

West Papua: Activists Beaten And Arrested In Run-Up...

Below is an article published by UCA News: The National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) has reported that a six of their activists were arrested, beaten and taken to the Jayapura Police Station on Thursday...

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Jun 30, 2014

West-Papua: Activists Face Intimidation

Below is an article by Radio New Zealand International: There are reports of pressure from the Indonesian military on Papuan activist groups ahead of a planned rally in the provinces tomorrow [1 July...

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Jun 24, 2014

West Papua: Australia Urged To Stop Cooperation...

Below is an article published by The Solomon Star: The Director of Communications at the Human Rights Law Center in Australia urges the Australian government to “introduce laws that would minimise...

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Jun 04, 2014

West Papua: Australian Tribunal Details Brutal...

Below is an article published by the Solomon Star Indonesian security forces intentionally killed and raped children along with a large number of civilians at a massacre on the West Papuan island of Biak,...

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May 22, 2014

West Papua: UN Committee Urged To Conduct Fact-Finding...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand: Advocates for West Papuan self-determination have called for a UN decolonization committee to be consistent and make a fact-finding trip to Indonesia's...

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May 09, 2014

West Papua: Call To End Impunity Of �Forgotten...

Below is an article by the Foundation for Law, Justice and Society: A leading human rights lawyer has called for measures to ensure that the perpetrators of mass killings in Indonesia are brought to justice,...

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May 07, 2014

UNPO Members Deliver Statements at CESCR on China...

On the occasion of the 52nd session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), representatives of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and of the World Uyghur...

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May 02, 2014

West Papua: Indonesia Ignores Indigenous Expertise...

Below is an article published by the East Asia Forum West Papua, comprised of two provinces in eastern Indonesia, is home to the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia Pacific. The HIV prevalence rate...

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Apr 28, 2014

West Papua: Australia’s Support Needed

Below is an article published in The Guardian: This Anzac Day weekend [last weekend of April], we opened the first ever Free West Papua campaign office in Australia. For more than 50 years, my...

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Apr 25, 2014

West Papua: Photo Project Draws Attention To Human...

Below is an article published by Warscapes The author, Rohan Radheya is a Dutch Surinamese contract photographer and videojournalist. He is one of the very few press photographers from his country of...

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Apr 14, 2014

West Papua: Brutal Arrest Of West Papuan Students...

Below is an article published by Pacific Scoop: The brutal repression of West Papuan student protests last week is indicative of Indonesia’s approach to the region. Wednesday 2 April [2014]...

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Apr 09, 2014

West Papua: Maltreatment And Torture Cases Must...

Below is a statement by Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive-Director of LP3BP, published on indigenouspeoplesissues.com Speaking as a human rights defender working in the Land of Papua, I urge the National...

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Mar 18, 2014

UN HRC Side Event Illustrates Critical Human Rights...

Geneva, 14 March 2014 – On the occasion of the 25th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in cooperation with the Nonviolent...

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Mar 18, 2014

West Papua: Activists Instructed Not To Return...

Below is an article published by Radio New Zealand International: Vanuatu's special adviser to the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, Barak Sope, has warned two leaders of the group not to...

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Mar 14, 2014

West Papua: At Least 76 Political Prisoners Reports...

Below is an article published by the Pacific Scoop There are at least 76 political prisoners in West Papuan jails, a new report from Papuans Behind Bars has revealed. At least 22 of the prisoners were...

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Mar 05, 2014

West Papua: Call For UN Resolution

Below is an article by Radio New Zealand International: Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses, has told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that he fears indigenous Papuans will become...

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Feb 26, 2014

West Papua: Desperate Call to Prosecute Human...

Below is an article published by Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources: The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) which was set up by Decision of the President of the Republic of Indonesia No...

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Feb 11, 2014

UNPO Joins West Papua To Commemorate Refugees...

30 years ago, on 11 February 1984, Apilena Sapioper was five years old when she and her family fled their village in West Papua as political refugees. The day before, the indigenous people of West Papua...

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Jan 28, 2014

Side Event "Human Rights Violations in I...

On behalf of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and the Nonviolent Radical Party, you are cordially invited to attend the parallel event “Human Rights Violations...

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Jan 24, 2014

West Papua: Human Rights Situation Discussed At...

Below is an article published by the International Coalition for Papua: A joint release by the International Coalition for Papua (ICP), Tapol, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) - Jayapura...

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