KARUBAGA – Commemorating the historical momentum of May 1, 2026, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Tolikara Region together with the people held an action to declare their stance. In a press release issued in Karubaga, KNPB highlighted the condition of Papua which is currently assessed to be in a state of military and humanitarian emergency that is very urgent.
KNPB Tolikara Region activists emphasized that the massive military presence throughout the West Papua territory must be stopped immediately to ensure the safety of civilians. KNPB stated that ongoing military operations will only prolong the chain of violence and suffering of the people at the grassroots. Additionally, firm demands were also directed by KNPB toward the resolution of human rights violation cases that have so far been considered stagnant, especially those occurring in the Toli, Karubaga, and Bokondini areas.
"We call on the Indonesian government to immediately stop all forms of military operations throughout the West Papua territory without conditions," expressed a KNPB representative in the official statement.
Aside from security issues, the issue of natural resource exploitation also became a crucial point in the statement. KNPB urged the permanent closure of PT Freeport as well as nickel mines in Raja Ampat which are deemed to damage the ecosystem and do not side with the rights of indigenous peoples. KNPB also highlighted the widespread deforestation of Papua's forests carried out under the pretext of National Strategic Projects (PSN), which is considered a real threat to the future of the environment in the land of Papua.
Furthermore, KNPB Tolikara strongly condemned the practice of silencing democratic spaces often experienced by activists and civil society when voicing aspirations. KNPB emphasized that the state must immediately stop all forms of intimidation and guarantee freedom of expression for the Papuan people. "All forms of silencing democratic space against the critical voices of the people must be stopped immediately for the sake of upholding humanitarian justice," KNPB asserted in closing the statement. ***