The New Zealand Pilot Hostage Case Explained
A faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) took New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens hostage after he landed…
Papua
Explainers on Papua’s development: local participation, social cohesion, regional connectivity and Papua’s role in the Pacific.
Human Rights in West Papua: What the Evidence Says
Indonesia’s government has acknowledged past human rights violations in Papua, including the Wasior and Wamena incidents, and says national institutions…
What Is the Current Situation in West Papua?
Last updated: 25 October 2026 As of October 2026, West Papua, Indonesia’s six easternmost provinces, remains affected by a long-running,…
What Are the OPM and the TPNPB? Papua’s Armed Separatist Groups Explained
The OPM (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or Free Papua Movement) is the umbrella name for the movement seeking independence for Papua…
Why Do Some Papuans Seek Independence?
Some Papuans seek independence because they reject the 1969 vote that made the region part of Indonesia. They also point…
How Did Papua Become Part of Indonesia?
Papua became part of Indonesia in stages between 1962 and 1969. At first, the Netherlands kept the territory when Indonesia…
Where Is West Papua, and How Is It Different from Papua New Guinea?
West Papua usually refers to the western half of the island of New Guinea, which is part of Indonesia and…
Sustainable Development Requires Active Local Participation Across Papua
The article argues that development in Papua lasts only when indigenous communities take part from the start, because top-down plans…
How Local Empowerment Is Shaping Papua’s Future
Roads, schools and clinics lay the groundwork, but lasting progress in Papua depends on local people leading it. Practical training…
Papuan Digital Content Creators Promoting Their Regional Tourism
Young Papuan content creators are using smartphones and social media to show their region’s waterfalls, dances, food and village life…