Armed conflict in West Papua has left approximately 124,000 Papuans internally displaced, with 59 people killed since the start of 2026.
The Papua Special Committee of Indonesia’s Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) presented these figures during the council’s 3rd Plenary Session of the 2026–2027 Legislative Year, citing a severe disruption of essential services across the region.
Displacement Data Discrepancies
The committee’s displacement estimate, compiled from reports by religious and traditional leaders, stands in stark contrast to figures cited by local authorities. While local authorities reported between 22,000 and 22,661 displaced persons during a meeting in Timika on 17 September, independent monitoring groups suggest the crisis is significantly larger.
Human Rights Monitor recorded over 127,000 displaced individuals by late August 2026, a statistic later raised by Christian Solidarity International at the UN Human Rights Council on 1 October. This gap in reporting has prompted the committee to demand a single, verified database that pools government, church, customary, and humanitarian data.
Did You Know? The Papua Special Committee was established in July 2026 specifically to address escalating violence and has since pressed the government for a national evaluation of its strategy in the region.
Civilian Impact and Service Disruptions
Civilians have sustained the majority of the casualties, accounting for 43 of the 59 deaths recorded this year. About 50 people have been injured, according to data that aligns with findings from Komnas HAM, which documented 42 violent incidents in the first half of 2026 involving police, soldiers, and armed groups. The committee noted that the remaining 16 deaths involved eight police or soldiers and eight members of armed groups.
The committee concluded that the displaced are concentrated in South-West Papua and Central Papua, with most receiving inadequate assistance. Beyond the direct toll, residents now face routine identity checks, requiring them to carry identification for everyday activities.
The conflict has severely degraded basic services, forcing many teachers and health workers to abandon their posts. Displaced parents in Puncak informed committee chair Yorrys Raweyai in August that their children remain without access to education. Deputy chair Filep Wamafma warned that unless schools, clinics, and housing are restored, displacement will simply recur.
Jakarta has rejected this criticism, instead blaming armed Papuan groups for the displacement.
Committee shifts focus to human rights and project impacts
The committee is now shifting its focus toward deeper inquiries into human rights violations within the Papua Highlands Province. It also intends to examine the impact of large-scale food and energy projects in South Papua and Papua provinces, where local opposition has grown amid the ongoing instability.
According to the committee, this deeper inquiry is intended to help the DPD produce comprehensive recommendations to promote a peaceful resolution, with the protection of civilians as the first priority.
While the government has rejected criticism from Pacific leaders and church organizations regarding the lack of access for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the DPD continues to urge President Prabowo Subianto to form a formal dialogue or reconciliation team.
Why displacement figures differ and conditions for return
Why are there such significant differences in the number of displaced people?
The discrepancy reflects different figures cited by local authorities and estimates drawn from religious and traditional leaders and local communities. Authorities cited 22,000–22,661 people in September, while independent monitors and community leaders estimate the figure to be over 124,000.
What conditions are required for displaced families to return home?
The committee argues that any return process must be safe, voluntary, and dignified. They specify that schools, clinics, and housing must be restored and security assured before families can go back to their homes.
What is the committee planning to study next?
The committee will investigate human rights violations in the Papua Highlands Province. They will also analyze how large-scale food and energy investments affect local communities and humanitarian conditions in South Papua and Papua provinces.
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