{
  "id": 28011,
  "title": "Human Rights Watch report says Indonesia is silencing environmental activists in Papua",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/30/human-rights-watch-report-says-indonesia-is-silencing-environmental",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-07-30T21:21:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Pacific",
    "slug": "rnz-pacific",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/836225/human-rights-watch-report-says-indonesia-is-silencing-environmental-activists-in-papua"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Human Rights Watch (HWR) report has alleged that the Indonesian government is silencing environmental activists in Papua, also known as West Papua. The report, \"Grabbed Land, Silenced Justice,\" examines the increased military presence in Papua, particularly in South Papua, due to large-scale development projects. These projects are causing extensive deforestation and displacement, directly impacting local livelihoods. Despite this, journalists and activists who voice their concerns are often arrested and mistreated. Andrea Harsono, a lawyer and one of the report's authors, stated that over a dozen Indonesian laws are used to silence protests over environmental harm. These include the Plantation Law, the Mineral and Mining Law, the Job Creation Law, and the Prevention of Forest Destruction Law. Harsono noted that while higher courts typically dismiss these cases, activists face mistreatment during arrests and prolonged legal battles. The province has been experiencing severe forest fires exacerbated by deforestation, with HRW sources reporting militarized land clearing. West Papua has thick peatlands, meaning that if there is a fire, it can continue burning. The report claims that protesters of the food estate project are being actively targeted and silenced, citing an incident where police detained 11 Papuans protesting the risks to customary land rights and livelihoods of over 40,000 people. Moreover, a resident in Ngguti District reported that the military forced his family to leave their home for protesting against the project. Yasinta Moiwend, a Merauke resident, was reported to have been abducted after participating in a documentary criticizing the Merauke Food and Energy Estate project. Despite the increased security presence, Harsono believes activism within Papua, particularly among younger residents, will not diminish.",
  "summary": "A new Human Rights Watch report says that the Indonesian government is silencing environmental activists in Papua region, known internationally as West Papua.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Antara News Indonesia",
        "title": "Indonesia's troops provide free medical aid in remote Papua",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/indonesias-troops-provide-free-medical-aid-in-remote-papua",
        "published": "2026-08-01T14:00:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}