Repeated excessive use of force against peaceful protests show disregard for Papuan voices

Indigenous Papuans expressing their opinions in peaceful demonstrations have once again been met with obstruction and excessive use of force from Indonesian police, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia said today. “Indigenous Papuans have a right to peacefully protest against government policies without running the risk of being arrested or beaten,” said Amnesty International …

Indonesia: Proposed gold mine is ‘recipe for disaster’ amid repression of Indigenous Papuans

Indonesia: Proposed gold mine is ‘recipe for disaster’ amid repression of Indigenous Papuans  Unlawful killings, buildup of security forces in vicinity of a planned gold mine concession  Authorities restrict daily life of Indigenous Papuans, including hairstyle   Lack of consultation with communities affected by gold mine plans     Indonesian authorities should immediately halt plans to develop a sprawling gold mine …

Indonesia: Immediately release Papuan students charged with treason

Eight Papuan students who have been detained and charged with treason by police for peacefully expressing their political opinions on 1 December must be immediately released, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia said today.  Police often arrest Papuans for peaceful political expression on 1 December, as it is a date that many Papuans consider …

Papuan special autonomy law must ensure protection of Indigenous rights and meaningful involvement of Papuan people

Following the Indonesian House of Representatives renewal of the special autonomy law for Papua and West Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia call on the Indonesian government to ensure that the rights of the Papuan people, particularly that Indigenous communities are protected by the law. “Despite the protections contained in the previous law, …

5 human rights cases you can take action for this July

Rights belong to every one of us – but they are abused and denied every single day. From across the globe into our own backyard, our human rights are under threat. This can feel really overwhelming, and at times, hopeless. But when this happens, we search out the facts. We expose what’s happening on the …

COVID-19: Prisoners of conscience from Papua must be urgently released

Amnesty Indonesia and Amnesty Australia welcome the decision of Indonesian authorities to release 30,000 prisoners to minimise the risk of infection with COVID-19. Overcrowding and unsanitary facilities have been posing a health threat to Indonesia’s prison population of more than 250.000 prisoners. While the move is welcomed, it must be extended to all prisoners of …

Australia must raise human rights concerns during president Joko Widodo visit

Amnesty International Australia and Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman urge the Australian government to raise the human rights situation in West Papua during bilateral talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo this week. Fifty-six indigenous West Papuans and one Jakarta-based Indonesian are currently held behind bars for treason in seven cities across Indonesia. They are …

Indonesia: Police and military unlawfully kill almost 100 people in Papua in eight years with near total impunity

Indonesian security forces have unlawfully killed at least 95 people in little more than eight years in the restive eastern provinces of Papua and West Papua, with the overwhelming majority of perpetrators never being held to account for these crimes, Amnesty International reveals in a new report today. All but 10 of the victims were …