Indonesian church leaders urge Jakarta to prioritize civilian protection and dialogue in Papua amid displacement, violence and conflict.
Newsroom (17/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) A broad coalition of Christian churches in Indonesia has called on the government to move away from a security-centered approach in Papua and instead prioritize civilian protection and inclusive dialogue as the primary path toward resolving the region’s long-running conflict.
The appeal was made by the Indonesian Christian Community Forum (FUKRI) during a media gathering in Jakarta on July 16. The coalition warned that more than 100,000 civilians remain displaced across Papua, facing significant challenges in accessing food, education, healthcare, protection and pastoral services.
FUKRI brings together a wide range of Christian denominations and organizations, including the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, the Protestant Communion of Churches in Indonesia, as well as Evangelical, Pentecostal, Baptist, Adventist and Orthodox church bodies.
In its statement, the Forum expressed concern that state policy in Papua has become increasingly focused on security measures. According to the coalition, this approach has been reinforced through the deployment of additional non-organic military personnel, the construction of new defense facilities and the involvement of security forces in strategic national projects.
The churches questioned whether such policies are addressing the concerns of Indigenous Papuans or contributing to a climate of fear and instability.
“Whether an increasingly dominant security approach truly answers the main needs of Indigenous Papuans, or instead prolongs fear, mistrust and civilian suffering?” the Forum asked.
Calls for Inclusive Dialogue
The coalition argued that churches, Indigenous leaders, women leaders, youth groups, academics and civil society organizations have consistently advocated for inclusive dialogue but have not been given sufficient space within government policymaking.
FUKRI described dialogue as an essential democratic process rather than a sign of political weakness.
“Dialogue is not a sign of state weakness, but a sign of democratic maturity. Dialogue is the courage to listen to wounds, a space to acknowledge each other’s realities, build trust, and seek a way out that respects the dignity of all parties,” the statement said.
The Forum urged authorities to make dialogue the central mechanism for peacebuilding efforts in Papua while placing the needs of displaced communities at the forefront of government action.
It also appealed for churches and religious organizations to be allowed to carry out humanitarian activities without suspicion or intimidation.
“Church service to suffering communities should not be suspected as support for any particular group or linked to separatism,” the coalition stated.
Humanitarian Concerns at the Center
Reverend Jacklevyn Fritz Manuputty, chair of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, emphasized that the church’s intervention in the Papua issue is rooted in humanitarian concerns rather than political interests.
The churches’ appeal comes amid mounting concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict. Indonesia’s Human Rights Ministry reported on July 7 that approximately 122,000 Papuans had been internally displaced. Human Rights Monitor provided a slightly higher estimate, reporting that more than 123,931 people had been displaced by late June.
The scale of displacement has left many communities struggling to access essential services and support systems, a situation church leaders say requires urgent attention from the state.
Criticism Extends to Economic Interests
While welcoming the churches’ criticism of military operations, anthropologist Cypri Jehan Paju Dale argued that the statement did not fully address what he considers the underlying drivers of conflict in Papua.
Dale, who has researched Papua for two decades, said military operations frequently take place in areas designated for mining and plantation concessions.
“We all know that Indonesia’s military operations in Papua are carried out in areas designated as mining concessions, as also in plantation concession areas, such as in South Papua and Southwest Papua,” he said.
His comments point to a broader debate surrounding the relationship between security operations, resource extraction and Indigenous communities in the region.
Dale also directed Pig Feast: Colonialism of Our Time, a documentary that has recently attracted national and international attention for its portrayal of military involvement in Papua and the impact on Indigenous peoples’ lives.
Rising Violence and Unanswered Questions
The humanitarian concerns raised by church groups are occurring against a backdrop of continued violence. The National Human Rights Commission reported 42 incidents of armed violence between January and June this year. Those incidents resulted in 59 deaths, with civilians accounting for the majority of those killed.
Despite growing calls for dialogue and humanitarian action, government reaction to the church coalition’s statement remains unclear. Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai did not respond to a request for comment.
The churches’ intervention represents one of the most comprehensive faith-based appeals in recent months, bringing together a broad spectrum of Christian denominations behind a common message: that the protection of civilians, unrestricted humanitarian access and meaningful dialogue should take precedence over an expanding security response.
As displacement figures remain high and violence continues to affect communities across Papua, church leaders argue that lasting peace will require not only security measures but also trust-building, recognition of local grievances and an inclusive process that places human dignity at its center.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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