Photos: In southern Papua, navigating an alien world built on palm oil

Photographer Albertus Vembrianto spent three weeks documenting the impact of palm oil plantations on Indigenous Papuans in southern Papua, Indonesia. The Indonesian government's promotion of agribusiness has led to the displacement of Indigenous communities, loss of traditional food sources, and increased vulnerability for local women. The Korindo Group, a major palm oil company, is implicated in these changes. The investigation, co-published with The Gecko Project and other media partners, reveals the struggles of Papuans adapting to a new way of life imposed by the palm oil industry.

Inside West Papua’s Forgotten Refugee Camps

West Papuans, a racial minority in Indonesia, have been displaced into refugee camps in Wamena due to ongoing fighting between Indonesian security forces and separatist militants. The conflict has forced 45,000 civilians to relocate, with many suffering from lack of basic needs, healthcare, and increased violence. The Indonesian military's response to separatist attacks has been criticized for exacerbating the situation. Theo Hesegem of the Justice for the People of Papua Foundation has urged the government to reconsider its militaristic approach.

A Year Has Passed, Nduga Papua Refugees Due to TNI Military Operations Still Suffering

The article highlights the ongoing suffering of Nduga Papua refugees a year after TNI military operations began. It details the trauma and hardships faced by individuals like Klara and Kamila, who have been displaced and are living in refugee camps. The military operations, initiated in response to violence by TPNPB/OPM, have led to significant displacement and deaths. Criticism is directed at the Joko Widodo administration for its handling of the conflict, with calls for a reevaluation of the military approach. The article underscores the persistent humanitarian crisis and the lack of adequate medical and administrative support for the refugees.

Fragments of Papua

The article discusses the recurring discrimination and violence towards indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, highlighting a specific incident in December 2018 where construction workers were killed by an armed group. It criticizes the Indonesian mainstream media for biased reporting and the government's military response, which led to further violence and displacement of Papuans. The article also addresses the challenges faced by journalists in Papua, including bribery, intimidation, and violence, and the lack of critical and in-depth reporting on the region's issues.

Hundreds indigenous Papua families stay in the riverbanks in Timika, Papua, Indonesia, besides tailing disposal stream of Freeport McMoran, biggest gold mine in the world. Based on the report of Earthworks and Mining Watch Canada, 2012, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), affiliated with Freeport McMoRan’s, produces and dumps over 200,000 tons of tailings per day (over 80 million tons per year). The tailings contain high concentrations of toxins such as copper, arsenic, cadmium, and selenium. The tailings have buried over 166 square kilometers of formerly productive forest and wetlands. In this area, the above indigenous Papua families stay. These families earn money by becoming informal miners in the tailing disposal areas. They stay in plastic camps without access to proper living appliances such as clean water and electricity. Their children grow without formal education, but learn to earn money and get high in cheap way.