West Papua: Incidents of violence likely to go unreported

Around 16 May, reports from Benny Wenda, the Interim President of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), indicated that fighting had escalated in the region. The escalation, which resulted in one West Papuan death and one seriously injured, has been attributed to the Indonesian government’s agriculture production policy, aimed at converting forest lands to farmland to produce food internally for domestic consumption. West Papuans disclosed that they had not been consulted and had neither given consent during the process. In response to the accusations, the Indonesian government stated that all land sales were lawful. Warda called on the Indonesian government to allow journalists greater access to cover the conflict but the government cited safety as a reason to deny access for foreign journalists.

Assessment: Violence against West Papuans is likely to continue with several armed groups clashing with the Indonesian armed forces in resistance to the government’s land conversion work. Further clashes are very likely to go unreported due to the access ban for foreign journalists. There is roughly an even chance of intervention from international organisations due to tensions in the Middle East. The threat to foreigners from kidnapping by armed groups is assessed to have increased, due to limited other methods to gain international attention. A diplomatic response from Papua New Guinea and Fiji is unlikely due to Indonesia’s increasing assistance and influence building in the South Pacific.

Sources: Caleb Fotheringham, “Indigenous West Papuans claim Indonesian government is 'land grabbing',” RNZ, May 16, 2025; Caleb Fotheringham, “'Fighting is more frequent now': Human rights researcher warns of escalating conflict in West Papua,” RNZ, May 12, 2025; “Indonesia bombs West Papuan villages again – Civilians flee to the bush,” Islands Business, May 16, 2025.