Papuan peace advocates are urging the Indonesian government to engage in dialogue aimed at ending over five decades of conflict in the region. Various church and civil society organizations have highlighted the need for discussions between President Prabowo Subianto and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as a pivotal step towards resolving the ongoing indigenous issues.
The tension dates back to 1963, when Indonesia annexed the former Dutch New Guinea, known as Irian Jaya, despite the Netherlands’ intention to return the territory to the indigenous Papuans. This annexation, which received backing from international powers including the United Nations, the United States, and the United Kingdom, has faced constant challenges from the Papuan people, resulting in over 500,000 deaths due to sporadic violence over the years.
Yan C. Warinussy, spokesperson for the Papua Peace Network, stressed that only through dialogue can the complex economic, social, cultural, and political interests at stake be addressed and a peaceful resolution reached. He expressed hope for a constructive response from the involved parties, including religious leaders from the Vatican and various Indonesian church organizations.
Warinussy emphasized the urgent need for peace, noting that indigenous Papuans have suffered immensely from armed conflict rooted in economic and political struggles since 1963. He lamented that many indigenous Papuans spent the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations in makeshift refugee camps in the forests rather than at home.
He further stated that the current situation is a violation of several legal frameworks, including Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution and international human rights treaties. Many Papuans have sought refuge from military operations and violence involving government forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army.
Recent incidents have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis; for instance, clashes in October 2025 resulted in the displacement of 238 individuals in Teluk Bintuni Regency, while military operations in Lanny Jaya forced around 2,000 residents to abandon their villages. The Papuan Church Council currently estimates that there are approximately 103,218 refugees across the region as a result of ongoing violence.
There is a shared hope among peace advocates that promoting open dialogue can provide a path towards reconciliation and lasting peace for the people of Papua.
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