Latest news with #WestPapuan
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rising Military Operations In West Papua Spark Concerns About Displacement Of Indigenous Papuans
Article – RNZ The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua says women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands. It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on 14 May. In a statement, reported by Kompas Daily, Indonesia's military said its presence is 'not to intimidate the people' but to protect them from violence. 'We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their own land,' it said. Indonesia's military said it seized firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows. They also took morning star flags – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence – and communication equipment. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RNZ Pacific that seven villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency in Central Papua are now being attacked. 'The current military escalation in West Papua has now been building for months. Initially targeting Intan Jaya, the Indonesian military have since broadened their attacks into other highlands Regencies, including Puncak,' he said. Wenda said women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict, often from drone attacks or airstrikes. Earlier this month, ULMWP claimed one civilian and another was seriously injured after being shot at from a helicopter. Last week, ULMWP shared a video of a group of indigenous Papuans walking through mountains holding an Indonesian flag, which Wenda said was a symbol of surrender. 'They look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman,' Wenda said. He said the increased military presence was driven by resources. President Prabowo Subianto's administration has a goal to be able to feed Indonesia's population without imports as early as 2028. A video statement from tribes in Mappi Regency in South Papua from about a month ago, translated to English, said they rejected Indonesia's food project and asked companies to leave. In the video, about a dozen Papuans stood while one said the clans in the region had existed on customary land for generations and that companies had surveyed land without consent. 'We firmly ask the local government, the regent, Mappi Regency to immediately review the permits and revoke the company's permits,' the person speaking said. Wenda said the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) had also grown. But he said many of the TPNPB were using bow and arrows against modern weapons. 'I call them home guard because there's nowhere to go.'
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rising Military Operations In West Papua Spark Concerns About Displacement Of Indigenous Papuans
The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua says women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands. It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on 14 May. In a statement, reported by Kompas Daily, Indonesia's military said its presence is 'not to intimidate the people' but to protect them from violence. 'We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their own land,' it said. Indonesia's military said it seized firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows. They also took morning star flags – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence – and communication equipment. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RNZ Pacific that seven villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency in Central Papua are now being attacked. 'The current military escalation in West Papua has now been building for months. Initially targeting Intan Jaya, the Indonesian military have since broadened their attacks into other highlands Regencies, including Puncak,' he said. Wenda said women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict, often from drone attacks or airstrikes. Earlier this month, ULMWP claimed one civilian and another was seriously injured after being shot at from a helicopter. Last week, ULMWP shared a video of a group of indigenous Papuans walking through mountains holding an Indonesian flag, which Wenda said was a symbol of surrender. 'They look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman,' Wenda said. He said the increased military presence was driven by resources. President Prabowo Subianto's administration has a goal to be able to feed Indonesia's population without imports as early as 2028. A video statement from tribes in Mappi Regency in South Papua from about a month ago, translated to English, said they rejected Indonesia's food project and asked companies to leave. In the video, about a dozen Papuans stood while one said the clans in the region had existed on customary land for generations and that companies had surveyed land without consent. 'We firmly ask the local government, the regent, Mappi Regency to immediately review the permits and revoke the company's permits,' the person speaking said. Wenda said the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) had also grown. But he said many of the TPNPB were using bow and arrows against modern weapons. 'I call them home guard because there's nowhere to go.'
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rising Military Operations In West Papua Spark Concerns About Displacement Of Indigenous Papuans
A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands. It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on 14 May. In a statement, reported by Kompas Daily, Indonesia's military said its presence is "not to intimidate the people" but to protect them from violence. "We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their own land," it said. Indonesia's military said it seized firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows. They also took morning star flags - used as a symbol for West Papuan independence - and communication equipment. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RNZ Pacific that seven villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency in Central Papua are now being attacked. "The current military escalation in West Papua has now been building for months. Initially targeting Intan Jaya, the Indonesian military have since broadened their attacks into other highlands Regencies, including Puncak," he said. Wenda said women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict, often from drone attacks or airstrikes. Earlier this month, ULMWP claimed one civilian and another was seriously injured after being shot at from a helicopter. Last week, ULMWP shared a video of a group of indigenous Papuans walking through mountains holding an Indonesian flag, which Wenda said was a symbol of surrender. "They look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman," Wenda said. He said the increased military presence was driven by resources. President Prabowo Subianto's administration has a goal to be able to feed Indonesia's population without imports as early as 2028. A video statement from tribes in Mappi Regency in South Papua from about a month ago, translated to English, said they rejected Indonesia's food project and asked companies to leave. In the video, about a dozen Papuans stood while one said the clans in the region had existed on customary land for generations and that companies had surveyed land without consent. "We firmly ask the local government, the regent, Mappi Regency to immediately review the permits and revoke the company's permits," the person speaking said. Wenda said the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) had also grown. But he said many of the TPNPB were using bow and arrows against modern weapons. "I call them home guard because there's nowhere to go."
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 15 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including new dengue cases reported in Tonga. Tonga – dengue Tonga's Health Ministry says dengue cases have reached almost 700 in the latest reporting period. In an update on Monday, it said the cumulative total was 697, with 331 of these from Tongatapu, 305 from Vava'u and 59 from 'Eua. Ten cases were in hospital. The ministry said the death toll from the dengue outbreak remains at three. West Papua – human rights An Australian solidarity group for West Papuan self-determination has called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the human rights crisis in the Melanesian region with the Indonesian president this week. Albanese is visiting Indonesia for two days this week. Asia Pacific Report said the group has written a letter to Albanese appealing for him to raise the issue with President Prabowo Subianto. Spokesperson Joe Collins said the letter asks Australia's leader to encourage the Indonesian government to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. Papua New Guinea – manufacturing A leading Sri Lankan food and beverage manufacturer wants to build a joint-venture coconut processing plant in Madang Province in Papua New Guinea. Sri Lanka's Jaindi Export met with Trade Minister Richard Maru this week. NBC reported that Jaindi Export operates two processing facilities in Sri Lanka and exports products like coconut cream, milk, oil, sugar, butter, and whipping cream around the world. Minister Maru said his government is working with Madang Provincial Government to get a partnership off the ground. A plant that can process up to 100,000 coconuts a day is being discussed. Solomon Islands – telecommunications A Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership with Our Telekom has delivered six towers to remote areas around the Pacific island country. One tower is in Vadede, which was previously one of the most hard-to-reach areas in Choiseul. The Australian High Commission, which funded the project, said local nurses report they have begun coordinating with other clinics to provide a faster response in times of medical emergencies. New Zealand – abuse A Pasifika state abuse survivor says he no longer believes the historic Royal Commission will produce justice. Last Friday, the government announced next week's budget will 'invest' NZ$774 million into the existing redress system for survivors of abuse in state care. This is instead of introducing a new independent redress system, as recommended in the final report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and undertaken by the Prime Minister. Criticism of the government's u-turn came from a number of survivors, as well as from the Opposition. David Williams said the survivor community is outraged. 'For me this whole thing, even the Royal Commission, they paid out hundreds of millions of dollars and a lot of survivors are asking, what for? We've told our truths. 'It is really shocking; it is so disappointing. There is not any words to describe what this National Government is doing.' Pacific – disaster Defence personnel from across the Pacific have emerged from New Caledonia better prepared for a tropical cyclone. More than 2000 personnel from 18 nations came together for Exercise Croiz Du Sud. Held every two years, Pacific nations participate in a disaster relief scenario, with developed nations like New Zealand supporting their developing counterparts. The NZ Defence Force said the exercise was a chance to ensure they are ready to respond when the time comes.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 15 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including new dengue cases reported in Tonga. Tonga – dengue Tonga's Health Ministry says dengue cases have reached almost 700 in the latest reporting period. In an update on Monday, it said the cumulative total was 697, with 331 of these from Tongatapu, 305 from Vava'u and 59 from 'Eua. Ten cases were in hospital. The ministry said the death toll from the dengue outbreak remains at three. West Papua – human rights An Australian solidarity group for West Papuan self-determination has called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the human rights crisis in the Melanesian region with the Indonesian president this week. Albanese is visiting Indonesia for two days this week. Asia Pacific Report said the group has written a letter to Albanese appealing for him to raise the issue with President Prabowo Subianto. Spokesperson Joe Collins said the letter asks Australia's leader to encourage the Indonesian government to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. Papua New Guinea – manufacturing A leading Sri Lankan food and beverage manufacturer wants to build a joint-venture coconut processing plant in Madang Province in Papua New Guinea. Sri Lanka's Jaindi Export met with Trade Minister Richard Maru this week. NBC reported that Jaindi Export operates two processing facilities in Sri Lanka and exports products like coconut cream, milk, oil, sugar, butter, and whipping cream around the world. Minister Maru said his government is working with Madang Provincial Government to get a partnership off the ground. A plant that can process up to 100,000 coconuts a day is being discussed. Solomon Islands – telecommunications A Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership with Our Telekom has delivered six towers to remote areas around the Pacific island country. One tower is in Vadede, which was previously one of the most hard-to-reach areas in Choiseul. The Australian High Commission, which funded the project, said local nurses report they have begun coordinating with other clinics to provide a faster response in times of medical emergencies. New Zealand – abuse A Pasifika state abuse survivor says he no longer believes the historic Royal Commission will produce justice. Last Friday, the government announced next week's budget will 'invest' NZ$774 million into the existing redress system for survivors of abuse in state care. This is instead of introducing a new independent redress system, as recommended in the final report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and undertaken by the Prime Minister. Criticism of the government's u-turn came from a number of survivors, as well as from the Opposition. David Williams said the survivor community is outraged. 'For me this whole thing, even the Royal Commission, they paid out hundreds of millions of dollars and a lot of survivors are asking, what for? We've told our truths. 'It is really shocking; it is so disappointing. There is not any words to describe what this National Government is doing.' Pacific – disaster Defence personnel from across the Pacific have emerged from New Caledonia better prepared for a tropical cyclone. More than 2000 personnel from 18 nations came together for Exercise Croiz Du Sud. Held every two years, Pacific nations participate in a disaster relief scenario, with developed nations like New Zealand supporting their developing counterparts. The NZ Defence Force said the exercise was a chance to ensure they are ready to respond when the time comes.
