CoveragePost
May 10, 2026
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Indonesian authorities say investigations are underway into an incident in West Papua when a number of people were allegedly injured after police fired shots amid a student graduation event. Reports from West Papua say seven people suffered injuries when tensions flared at a parade by senior high school ... <a title="West Papuan graduation parade turns violent after police object to Morning Star flag" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/10/west-papuan-graduation-parade-turns-violent-after-police-object-to-morning-star-flag/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan graduation parade turns violent after police object to Morning Star flag">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 3, 2024
Asia Pacific Report An exiled West Papuan leader has called for unity among his people in the face of a renewed “colonial grip” of Indonesia’s new president. President Prabowo Subianto, who took office last month, “is a deep concern for all West Papuans”, said Benny Wenda of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). ... <a title="Wenda calls for West Papuan unity in the face of Jakarta’s renewed ‘colonial grip’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/03/wenda-calls-for-west-papuan-unity-in-the-face-of-jakartas-renewed-colonial-grip/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda calls for West Papuan unity in the face of Jakarta’s renewed ‘colonial grip’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 1, 2024
On Papuan Independence Day, the focus is on discussing protests against Indonesia’s transmigration programme, environmental destruction, militarisation, and the struggle for self-determination. Te Aniwaniwa Paterson reports. By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News On 1 December 1961, West Papua’s national flag, known as the Morning Star, was raised for the first time as ... <a title="West Papua: Once was Papuan Independence Day, now facing ‘ecocide’, transmigration" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/01/west-papua-once-was-papuan-independence-day-now-facing-ecocide-transmigration/" aria-label="Read more about West Papua: Once was Papuan Independence Day, now facing ‘ecocide’, transmigration">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
November 14, 2024
Asia Pacific Report An exiled West Papuan leader has called on supporters globally to show their support by raising the Morning Star flag — banned by Indonesia — on December 1. “Whether in your house, your workplace, the beach, the mountains or anywhere else, please raise our flag and send us a picture,” said United ... <a title="West Papuan leader makes ‘raise our banned flag’ plea over new threat" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/11/14/west-papuan-leader-makes-raise-our-banned-flag-plea-over-new-threat/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan leader makes ‘raise our banned flag’ plea over new threat">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
November 1, 2024
SPECIAL REPORT: By Andreas Harsono in Jakarta In December 2008, I visited the Abepura prison in Jayapura, West Papua, to verify a report sent to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture alleging abuses inside the jailhouse, as well as shortages of food and water. After prison guards checked my bag, I passed through a ... <a title="Filep Karma: A political prisoner who fought racism in West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/11/01/filep-karma-a-political-prisoner-who-fought-racism-in-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Filep Karma: A political prisoner who fought racism in West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 19, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The Pacific region’s focus will shift briefly to Port Vila next week when Vanuatu hosts the heads of governments from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the leader of the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) of New Caledonia for the 22nd ... <a title="West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/19/west-papua-high-on-agenda-as-msg-leaders-set-to-convene-in-port-vila/" aria-label="Read more about West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
July 24, 2023
SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya “Rebuilding our Melanesia for our future” is the theme chosen by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) for their 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) this year. Vanuatu hosted the event in Port Vila, which opened last Wednesday and ends next Monday. The event was hosted by the MSG, which ... <a title="Yamin Kogoya: ‘Rebuilding our Melanesia for our future’ – culture and West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/24/yamin-kogoya-rebuilding-our-melanesia-for-our-future-culture-and-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Yamin Kogoya: ‘Rebuilding our Melanesia for our future’ – culture and West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 10, 2023
Jubi News The trial of three Papuan “free speech” students accused of treason has resumed at the Jayapura District Court this week. The defendants — Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Devio Tekege, and Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere — have been charged with treason for organising a free speech rally where they were accused of raising the banned Morning ... <a title="Papuan students accused of ‘treason’ over raising Morning Star flags" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/06/10/papuan-students-accused-of-treason-over-raising-morning-star-flags/" aria-label="Read more about Papuan students accused of ‘treason’ over raising Morning Star flags">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 24, 2023
Asia Pacific Report An Australian advocacy group has called for West Papua to be reinscribed on the United Nations list of “non self-governing territories”, citing the “sham” vote in 1969 and the worsening human rights violations in the Indonesian-ruled Melanesian region. The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation began its 2023 Pacific Regional Seminar in Bali, ... <a title="Protesters call for West Papua to be included on UN ‘decolonisation’ list" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/05/24/protesters-call-for-west-papua-to-be-included-on-un-decolonisation-list/" aria-label="Read more about Protesters call for West Papua to be included on UN ‘decolonisation’ list">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 6, 2022
RNZ Pacific Activists have protested at Indonesia’s Ternate Police headquarters in North Maluku demanding that the security forces release eight people arrested while commemorating West Papua Independence Day on December 1. December 1 marked 61 years since the first raising of West Papua’s symbol of independence, the Morning Star flag. Tabloid Jubi reports Anton Trisno ... <a title="Indonesian protesters call for release of West Papua Morning Star detainees" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/06/indonesian-protesters-call-for-release-of-west-papua-morning-star-detainees/" aria-label="Read more about Indonesian protesters call for release of West Papua Morning Star detainees">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 2, 2022
COMMENTARY: By Yamin Kogoya On 30 June 2022, the Indonesian Parliament in Jakarta passed legislation to split West Papua into three more pieces. The Papuan people’s unifying name for their independence struggle — “West Papua” — is now being shattered by Jakarta’s draconian policies. Under this new legislation, the two existing provinces have been divided ... <a title="Happy West Papua Day – and the brutal truth about where we are now" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/02/happy-west-papua-day-and-the-brutal-truth-about-where-we-are-now/" aria-label="Read more about Happy West Papua Day – and the brutal truth about where we are now">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 2, 2022
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Reports of threats by Indonesia against “Free West Papua” activists have come to light on the anniversary of the first raising of West Papua’s emblem of independence. “The security level is increased, they send direct threats, phone calls or SMS and in the past three days many of our ... <a title="Pacific marks 61st year flying of Papua’s banned Morning Star flag" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/02/pacific-marks-61st-year-flying-of-papuas-banned-morning-star-flag/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific marks 61st year flying of Papua’s banned Morning Star flag">Read more</a>
