Jayapura, Jubi The Politics of Papua Project at the University of Warwick conducts research and provides informed political analysis to policymakers, in order to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict in West Papua.
West Papua, comprising the two easternmost provinces of Indonesia, covers the western part of the island of New Guinea, bordering Papua New Guinea to the east. Since 1969, West Papua has been part of Indonesia. However, a secessionist movement in West Papua asserts an ongoing right to self-determination, based on evidence that the so-called ‘Act of Free Choice’ consultation by which West Papua was incorporated into Indonesia was coercive and did not meet international standards. The ongoing conflict in the region, between the Indonesian military and ethnic Papuans, is estimated to have killed at least a hundred thousand Papuans. Concerns have been expressed about human rights violations and lack of media access to the region.
The enduring challenge in the region is how to resolve the conflict in West Papua and how to overcome political and economic obstacles to development in Papua. Our aim is to provide informed and rigorous academic analysis that can help all parties move closer to a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict, and to help build institutions to support development in West Papua. To this end, the project has a strong practical focus, engaging closely with British and International MPs and other policy-makers in order to best inform future decision-making on the issue.
The project team includes Keith Hyams, Marinella Capriati, Emma Piercy, Lisa Tilley, Connor Woodman, and Ryan McKay. It has received funding from the University of Warwick Impact Fund and the ESRC Impact Accelerator Account. The members of the Politics of Papua Project are always happy to provide policy advice, briefings or other forms of assistance to policymakers. Please email papua@wawick.ac.uk.
Politics of Papua Assessment Report
In April 2016 the Politics of Papua Project published a report on the conflict in West Papua, which can be downloaded from the link below. The report can be freely distributed and used, but please notify the Politics of Papua Project of any uses or citations of the report for impact assessment purposes, by emailing papua@wawick.ac.uk.
The report was launched in parliament on 3rd May 2016. Participants at the event included Jeremy Corbyn MP, the Prime Minister of Tonga Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, the Vanuatu Minister for Foreign Affairs Bruno Leingkone, the Vanuatu Minister for Lands Ralph Regenavu, the Solomon Islands Melanesia Spearhead Group Special Envoy on West Papua Rex Horoi, the Governor of Oro District (Papua New Guinea) Gary Juffa, Andrew Smith MP, Nick Brown MP, and Lord Harries of Pentregarth. (Victor Mambor)
