West Papua

In line with the Forum Leaders decisions in Tuvalu in 2019, the Forum Chair has this week written to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, requesting an update on the consultations with the Government of Indonesia concerning the invitation for a mission to West Papua (Papua).

It's the first recorded death from Covid-19 in the Papua region, and adds to fears that a looming surge in cases could overwhelm the health system on both sides of New Guinea.

The death was recorded in Sorong, the western most city of New Guinea. Tabloid Jubi reports the death was confirmed by West Papua's Task Force Covid-19.

The victim had been a patient at a hospital in Sorong city, where another five patients remained under supervision for suspected coronavirus infection.

International Lawyers for West Papua has also raised concern that treason trials of six Papuan pro-independence activists have been moved to East Kalimantan.

The activists, who include leading members of the West Papua National Committee and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, were arrested during recent unrest. They are accused of stirring mass protests in the Papuan provinces during August and September.

As many as 43 people were killed when riots broke out in the city of Wamena last month, which came amid some of the largest protests to sweep the region in years.

On Friday, Indonesia's Commission on Human Rights called for a full investigation into the fatalities, which activists say were at the hands of the military.

The agency's deputy chairman called on Indonesia's government to solve the crisis in West Papua.

Papuan news outlet Tabloid Jubi reports the bodies were found on Thursday in a village in Nduga regency, where violence has flared since last year.

A youth leader from the regency, Samuel Tabuni, is quoted as saying the victims, two of whom were teenagers, were shot by Indonesia's military.

Military spokesperson, Eko Daryanto, told Tabloid Jubi he had not received a report of the shooting.

It comes as violence continues to rock Papua and West Papua provinces, where dozens have died during clashes.

An official with the country's social ministry said the air force has flown around 7,500 people out of Wamena after unrest there in the past month.

Reuters reports Harry Hikmat saying another group of nearly 4,200 residents left on commercial flights.

A police spokesperson said the situation in Wamena is now stable, with shops and markets again open.

This follows reports of an Indonesian troop build-up along the border from communities in PNG's West Sepik province.

Indonesian-ruled West Papua has been gripped by weeks of protests and violent unrest which has left dozens of people dead.

Amid a security forces crackdown, concern has been raised in neighbouring PNG about another potential influx of West Papuan refugees

PNG's Immigration and Citizenship Authority has advised that following a shootout the border is closed to nationals from both sides until further notice.

He had posted on Twitter photographs of students allegedly shot during clashes in Jayapura and Wamena in Papua.

The Jakarta Post says Dandhy was accused of spreading information aimed at fueling hatred based on ethnicity, religio

His lawyer said it is a matter of freedom of expression in conveying his opinion on what is happening in Papua.

Violence erupted in the provincial capital Jayapura and the main Highlands town Wamena on Sunday, an escalation of protests that have gripped the province for weeks.

Indonesia's military says 22 people were killed during riots in Wamena, where students were protesting over a racism allegation.

Government buildings and businesses were torched by large crowds.

The military says four people - including a soldier - were killed in a separate protest by students there.

Seven-hundred and thirty-three people are being held at Papua police headquarters in Jayapura.

Today in the capital of Papua province, Jayapura, as many as four people were killed, including at least one West Papuan university student who was shot dead and an Indonesian soldier fatally stabbed.

The violence was sparked after police rounded on a mass of Papuan university students who recently returned to Papua from cities in other parts of Indonesia, and had converged at Jayapura's University of Cenderawasih for a solidarity action.