As COP30 progresses in Belém, a coalition of international parliamentarians has sounded an urgent alarm about the escalating environmental and humanitarian crises in West Papua. The International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) issued a serious warning concerning the alarming rates of deforestation, human rights violations, and ecological degradation in this vital region, stressing the necessity for immediate global intervention to avert further disaster.
In their statement, the IPWP expressed profound concerns regarding the significant loss of forest cover in West Papua, which is one of the world’s essential carbon sinks. They recalled the controversial annexation of West Papua by Indonesia in 1969, which was marred by intimidation and violence during what is known as “the Act of Free Choice.” The UK’s government has previously labeled this integration process as “utterly flawed,” underlining the long-standing human rights abuses experienced by the West Papuan populace.
Since 2011, an alarming 71% of West Papua’s forest has been lost, with the region containing over half of the world’s third-largest rainforest. The parliamentarians emphasized the urgent need to protect this unique environment to ensure a habitable planet for future generations.
A central issue in this crisis is Indonesia’s National Strategic Project in Merauke, which spans more than three million hectares and aims to cultivate sugarcane and rice. This initiative is expected to significantly increase carbon emissions, potentially releasing an additional 782.45 million tonnes of CO2. The IPWP pointed out that the project has proceeded without adequate consultation with Indigenous West Papuans, consequently violating the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The connection between deforestation, mining activities, and escalating violence in the region was also discussed. Recent estimates have indicated that nearly 103,000 West Papuans have been displaced as of October 2025, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis. The entry of heavy industries into areas like the Wabu Block gold mine has intensified local tensions, further compounded by militarization associated with resource extraction and tragic incidents resulting in civilian casualties.
The IPWP underscored that Indonesia’s actions in West Papua are at odds with international climate commitments. They urged world leaders to support the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s Green State Vision, which they view as a crucial framework for achieving both environmental sustainability and social justice in the area.
Notable signatories of the statement included a wide array of lawmakers from the UK, Europe, and the Pacific, reflecting broad international support for the West Papuan cause.
The situation in West Papua illustrates a complex relationship between environmental and human rights issues, calling for global unity to face these pressing challenges. The ongoing advocacy and solidarity demonstrated by international parliamentarians and civil society groups impart a hopeful outlook for achieving a peaceful resolution and safeguarding the rights and lands of the West Papuan people.