Source: Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Statement. 13 August 2026
This year will mark 64 years since the New York Agreement when the West Papuan people were betrayed by the international community.
The New York Agreement
On 15 August in 1962, an agreement was concluded in New York between the Netherlands and Indonesia. Under this agreement, the Dutch were to leave their colony of West New Guinea and transfer sovereignty to UNTEA (the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority). After 7 months the UN would transfer power to Indonesia with the provision that a referendum be held to determine Papuan preference for independence or integration with Indonesia. Indonesia did hold a referendum in 1969 called the Act of Free Choice. The West Papuans call this, the act of no free choice. It was a sham. Indonesia choose only 1025 people to vote (one representative for approximately every 700 Papuans) and under coercion they voted to remain with Indonesia.
Rallies 3 August
On Monday 3 August 2026, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) held rallies across West Papua with the theme “Papua: Military and Humanitarian Emergency”. The rallies were called to bring attention to the humanitarian crises in the territory. The ongoing human rights abuses, the military operations, the killing and torture of civilians.
At the rally organised in Sentani, Jayapura, the security forces responded with their usual heavy-handed approach to rallies in the territory. As the demonstrators gathered for their planned march to the Jayapura Regent’s Office, Police officers dispersed the protesters using rubber batons and sticks, striking blows to protesters’ heads and bodies during the dispersals. According to Human Rights Monitor 33 protesters were injured.
Photo in Suara Papua
KNPB demonstration in Abepura, Monday morning (August 3, 2026). (Doc. Aida Ulim for Suara Papua)
In another incident a Jubi journalist was intimidated by a police officer. The journalist reported that the incident occurred as he attempted to photograph police officers placing a protester into a crowd-control vehicle on Ifar Gunung Road in the Sentani District. The Jayapura Police Chief later apologised for the incident.
Demonstrations planned for the 15 August
The KNPB says it will stage another round of demonstrations on the 15 August 2026 (under the theme “Papua: Military Emergency and Humanitarian Crisis Zone”) to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement. A KNPB spokesperson announced the plan after the group’s rally in Jayapura City on Monday 3 August. He said that the rallies on the 3 August were an initial mobilisation ahead of the larger coordinated demonstrations planned for 15 August.
Cause for concern
Joe Collins of AWPA said, “every year West Papuans commemorate this tragic event in their history. In the past the security forces have responded with a heavy-handed approach to any demonstrations on the 15 August”. During the August 2024 commemoration police dispersed peaceful protests in the towns of Nabire, Wamena, and Sentani, as well as in Jayapura City with force. According to Human Rights Monitor, approximately 222 protesters were arrested and 41 injured as police forces dispersed the crowd with batons, teargas, and rubber bullets
“Hopefully this year there will be not a repeat of the incidents of brutally by the security forces that have occurred the past and as occurred on the 3 August and the planned rallies for the 15 August will be allowed to proceeded without interference from the security forces”, Collins said.
The KNPB have been submitting official notices of the planned peaceful protest to government and security institutions ahead of the nationwide demonstration planned for the 15 August.
(Photo in Jubi)
The West Papuan National Committee (KNPB) activist after submitting notification of the August 15, 2026 protest at the Papua Governor’s Office, Tuesday (11/08/2026). – Courtesy of KNPB
Intimidation
In one incident while the KNPB were informing police of the planned rally, members were subjected to violence by police officers while attempting to deliver the notification letter. A KNPB official said several members were subjected to repressive treatment, including physical violence by the police officers on guard. He reported that police blocked the group from entering, confiscated two KNPB flags and assaulted two KNPB members. The KNPB has called on security forces to refrain from any form of repression and to respect public safety and order during the planned demonstration (Jubi 12 August).
“The KNPB can bring out large numbers of demonstrators to take part in rallies and the crackdown on peacefully rallies in West Papua should be seen as a way to try and intimidate civil society groups into not taking part as the rallies can be an effective way of bringing the world’s attention to what West Papuans suffer under Indonesian rule. This is what Jakarta fears most, the internationalisation of the issue”.
The situation in the territory 64 years after the New York Agreement
The world might recognise Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua. However, the fact is that 64 years after the New York Agreement clashes still continue between the West Papua National Liberation Army and the security forces. West Papuans continue to be arrested and intimidated as the take part in rallies to protest against the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule. As a result of ongoing military operations in the territory there are over 125.931 internal refugees according to Human Rights Monitor. Civilians are bearing the brunt in the areas of conflict with children missing out on education because schools are closed, access to health services for people can be difficult and economic activity is paralysed. West Papua is basically a colony of Jakarta.
West Papua is the most militarised area of the archipelago.
According to a Project Multatuli investigation, there are approximately 103,196 security forces (Military +police) in the territory.
Illustration: Indonesian military operations in Papua have driven over a hundred thousand Papuans from their homes, leaving them displaced in their own land. (Project M/Sekarjoget)
Illustration from Project Multatuli report
https://projectmultatuli.org/militerisasi-papua-tentara-non-organik-dalam-operasi-militer/
West Papuans have also reported that they are not only seeing more military personnel deployed in the territory but they are also beginning to see the use of drone technology by the Indonesian military. A new drone command has been set up to support military operations in Papua.
There is also the massive environmental destruction caused by agricultural projects, such as the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) and projects to convert forests, into rice fields, sugarcane and palm oil plantations.
If the International community continue to turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses in West Papua, we will see an endless conflict with West Papuans the victims.
Joe Collins said, “ the Australian Government prefers to ignore the situation in West Papua. However, a simple action Canberra could do is to support and urge the Pacific Islands Forum leaders in again pressing Jakarta to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. That is what they West Papuans are asking for”.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) will be held from 30 August to 04 September 2026 in Palau under the theme – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity.