Formerly a Dutch colony, Papua was placed under Indonesian rule following a UN-supervised referendum in 1969. Human rights violations are a daily reality in the region.
Freedom of expression and association are severely restricted. Since the late 1990s, hundreds of people have been arrested for pro-independence activities, and dozens of peaceful protesters remain in prison.
Reports indicate that the security forces use unnecessary force during demonstrations, and torture those who are perceived to be pro-independence supporters. Despite commitments at the national level for police reform, torture by Indonesian police is also widespread. The persistent failure of the authorities to hold those responsible to account means that perpetrators of human rights violations often act with impunity.
The right to health is unequal - maternal mortality rates are high, and a recent health law was criticised by local NGOs for discriminating against unmarried people, particularly regarding access to information on sexuality and reproduction.
Call for the release of Filep Karma
In 2005, Filep Karma was arrested and charged with treason after taking part in a peaceful political ceremony at which the 'Morning Star' flag, a symbol of Papuan independence, was raised. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Please urge the Indonesian authorities to release Filep Karma
Thanks to you Filep Karma was granted urgent medical treatment
In July 2010, following an international campaign, Filep Karma was given the urgent medical attention he had been cruelly denied by the prison authorities. Watch Filep Karma's message of thanks
Security and police forces
Despite positive steps by the Indonesian police in 2009 to introduce regulations on the use of force in police action and the implementation of human rights principles, reports indicate that human rights violations remain commonplace. These include:
- Excessive force, torture and ill-treatment are reportedly used by security forces during demonstrations. Those perceived as pro-independence supporters, regardless of whether they are non violent or not, are particularly at risk.
- Unlawful killings by members of the security forces have been reported in recent years.
- Torture by the Indonesian police is widespread. Those from poor and marginalised communities are particularly vulnerable, as are peaceful political activists in areas as Maluku and Papua
- Impunity for human rights violations is commonplace. Accountability mechanisms to deal with police abuse remain weak, and reports of torture by members of the security forces often go unchecked and unpunished. Many victims of past human rights violations in Papua are still awaiting justice.
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Further information
- News: Indonesian soldiers' sentence for Papua abuse video too light
- Report: Left without a choice: Barriers to reproductive health in Indonesia (pdf)
- Report: Indonesia: Jailed for waving a flag - Prisoners of conscience in Maluku (pdf)
- Report: Unfinished business: Police accountability in Indonesia (pdf)
- Report: Indonesia: Briefing to the UN Committee Against Torture (pdf)
- Report: Indonesia: Grave human rights violations in Wasior, Papua (pdf)
- Report: Indonesia: Impunity and human rights violations in Papua (pdf)