Introduction

West Papua, arguably a trust-territory, has been embroiled in a prolonged struggle for freedom from colonial oppression. Its indigenous right to self-determination has been denied and undermined by international inaction, negligence and complicity. The land of the Morning Star, known by locals, shares the arbitrary border with their Melanesia kin in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and songlines connection to the First Nations Peoples of Australia, is distinguished by its hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. Despite this, it has become a focal point of conflict, marked by brain-drain through exile, human suffering and systemic violence driven by global greed. This article aims to shed light on why West Papua, whose time has come for meaningful action with indigenous injustice, militarisation and irreversible ecocide, coupled with ongoing colonial disorientation, political inconsistency, economic injustice, social exclusion, and exploitation of its natural resources—sanctioned by international silence—threatens the survival of its Indigenous Peoples and their profound connection to ancestral land and natural environment.

The 1969 "Act of Free Choice": A Misnomer in Justice

Courtesy: United Liberation Movement for West Papua, The New York Agreement – 1962

On August 15th of this year, the 1962 Indonesia-Netherlands Agreement, sanctioned by the United Nations Charter, fundamentally altered West Papua's legal status, reclassifying it from a Dutch Non-Self-Governing Territory to a UN Trust Territory. This reclassification obligates the United Nations (UN) and its Trusteeship Council to support West Papuans in their pursuit of self-government or independence, as outlined in Article 76(b) of the Charter. This interpretation is reinforced by Chapters XI, XII, and XIII of the UN Charter on decolonisation, and supported by declassified documents from the United States, Australia, and the UN from that period.

Sadly, in 1969, the United Nations rubber-stamped Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua through the so-called "Act of Free Choice." This referendum was, in reality, an orchestrated display of coercion, where only 1,026 Papuans, handpicked by the Indonesian military, were allowed to vote on the region’s future. Despite Papuans considering this as ‘Act of No Choice’ and clear evidence of military invasion, colonial suppression, manipulation and intimidation, the UN legitimised Indonesia's control, effectively suppressing the Papuans' right to self-determination. This decision has perpetuated decades of structural violence, with little accountability from the international community.

Resource Exploitation and Environmental Devastation

West Papua is known for the world's most lucrative natural resources, including vast reserves of gold, copper, and timber. Companies like Freeport-McMoRan, which operates one of the largest gold and copper mines globally, have profited immensely from these resources. However, this economic prosperity comes at a dire cost to the indigenous people. These extractive industries are heavily protected by Indonesian military forces, which serve to quash any resistance from pro-independence groups.

Courtesy: Free West Papua Campiagn

The environmental impact of resource extraction in West Papua is catastrophic. Deforestation, pollution, and the destruction of ecosystems have not only displaced communities but also stripped them of their cultural heritage and traditional livelihoods. The term ‘ecocide’ accurately describes the ongoing environmental crisis in West Papua, where the destruction of natural habitats has severe consequences for the indigenous Papuan's physical and cultural survival. This is a great controversy in relation to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which provides 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) founded on the principle of “leaving no one behind” and emphasises a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all.

Militarisation and Human Rights Violations

Courtesy: The Conversation, Finding a dignified resolution for West Papua

The Indonesian government’s reliance on military force to maintain control over West Papua has resulted in a pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and repression. Military operations are frequently conducted under the guise of national security, yet they primarily serve to protect the interests of foreign corporations. The presence of military personnel in West Papua has been linked to numerous human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention of pro-independence activists. These actions not only violate the fundamental rights of the West Papuan people but also contribute to their systemic marginalisation and disempowerment. This is an evidence of structural violence knowing that Indonesia became the 60th Member of the United Nations on 28th September 1950. In the United Nations Human Rights Articles 2 and 3, manifestation of human security is understood as the safety of people from ‘such chronic threats as hunger, disease and repression and from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life – whether in homes, in jobs or in communities. Human security is based on the understanding that all people ‘have equal basic human rights and should enjoy these rights regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender and where they are living.

The Role of the International Community

Courtesy: Rest of World, The Silent Song

The silence of the international community in the face of West Papua’s suffering is deeply concerning. The continued silence could mean approval of the ongoing atrocities and abuses of human rights. It could also translate to maintaining bilateral and diplomatic missions at the expense of the indigenous rights of the West Papuans.  The people of West Papua are an integral part of the Melanesian Society. The multilateral organisations, including the regional grouping such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Human Rights Activists and the UN member states, have largely ignored the plight of West Papuans. This is definitely, prioritising economic interests and strategic alliances over human rights and fundamental freedoms. There is absolute injustice in relation to the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that recognizes the right to the full enjoyment, as a collective or as individuals, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms (article 1), and in exercising their right to self-determination (article 4). This indifference is evident in the continued diplomatic and economic ties between Indonesia and powerful nations, which choose to overlook the ongoing conflict in West Papua in favor of maintaining profitable relationships. The complicity of the international community in this regard perpetuates the cycle of violence, leaving West Papuans to defend themselves in isolation with minimal external support.

The Unwavering Resolve of the West Papuan People

Courtesy: War on West Papua, Resistance

Despite decades of oppression, the resolve of the West Papuan people remains unbroken. They know that they are the inhabitants of West Papua since time immemorial. They are the indigenous owners of the land, natural environment, the natural resources and they are an integral part of the West Papua eco-system. Their continued resistance is a testament to their unwavering commitment and endurance to self-determination and cultural preservation. The people have continued to organise protests, raise international awareness, and sought support from Pacific states and non-state organisations.

The enduring spirit of the West Papuan people underscores the urgency of addressing their plight. On top of political sovereignty; it is a struggle for the preservation of culture, identity, environment and maximised benefit from their resources. The international community must recognise the indigenous rights and legitimacy of West Papua’s aspirations for independence and take decisive action to support their cause.

Conclusion

The ongoing conflict in West Papua demands more than passive acknowledgment; it calls for urgent, decisive action. The systemic violence, driven by extractive industries, military force, resource extraction and irreversible environmental destruction, continues unabated. How much longer will the world remain complicit in this colonial exploitation and injustice? The international community, and particularly the ordinary people like us, has a moral imperative to actively support West Papua’s pursuit of justice and self-determination. Silence is complicity to do more harm. How many more lives must be shattered before we act? The time has come for the world to confront its role in discriminative oppression, to stand up, and to genuinely commit to upholding the rights and sovereignty of West Papua’s people. Only through sustained and coordinated action can we amplify the voices of West Papuans and help them realise their long-denied freedom and dignity. What will you do to support this struggle to eliminate the atrocities, abuses of human rights, ecocide, military rule and colonial exploitations? The answer and its action can no longer wait.