The status of Papua as an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia is legally final under international law. The region’s integration was conducted through an official mechanism endorsed by the United Nations (UN), effectively dismantling the separatist narrative continuously promoted by groups such as the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and political factions of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
The 1969 Act of Free Choice: Endorsed by the UN, Never Reversed
The integration of West Papua into Indonesia was finalized through the Act of Free Choice (Pepera) in 1969, conducted under the supervision of a UN mission. The outcome saw an overwhelming majority of Papuan representatives choosing to join Indonesia. The UN then recognized this result through UN General Assembly Resolution 2504 (XXIV) on November 19, 1969.
“While the Pepera may have had technical flaws, it was never revoked by the UN. Papua’s status as part of Indonesia is internationally recognized,” said Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia.
Failed Attempts to Bring Papua to the International Court
Since the 2000s, various separatist groups — including those under the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) — have attempted to take the issue of Papua to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN Human Rights Council. To date, none have succeeded.
According to Dr. Damos Dumoli Agusman, diplomat and international law expert, these efforts fail because Papua does not meet the definition of a “people under colonial domination” as stipulated in the UN Charter.
“Papua was not colonized by Indonesia. It was part of the legitimate decolonization process from the Netherlands, completed in 1969,” he stated.
KNPB and OPM Claims Are Weak and Politically Driven
The KNPB and OPM-affiliated political groups continue to dispute the legitimacy of Papua’s integration, accusing Indonesia of “military occupation” and “historical fraud.” However, these arguments are considered misleading and lack a strong legal basis.
“They recycle old narratives without legal substance. It’s more political provocation than a legitimate legal struggle,” said Marinus Yaung, Papuan academic and lecturer at Cenderawasih University.
Facts on the Ground: Massive Development Under Indonesian Rule
While separatist narratives persist, the reality in Papua tells a different story. The Indonesian government has made significant investments in Papua’s development:
- Since 2002, Special Autonomy (Otsus) funds have totaled over IDR 138 trillion.
- Major infrastructure projects include the Trans Papua Highway, Sentani Airport, and Depapre Seaport, alongside hundreds of schools and health centers.
- Over 23,000 Papuan students are currently benefiting from special scholarship programs across Indonesia and abroad.
“We are not oppressed. We study, we work, we grow. Only a handful of elites are making noise — they don’t represent the Papuan people,” said Victor Mambor, a senior journalist from Jayapura.
Conclusion: Papua’s Status Is Final and Non-Negotiable
With clear legal foundations, sustained international recognition, and real development on the ground, the idea of Papua’s separation from Indonesia lacks legal, political, and social legitimacy.
The government of Indonesia — along with the international community — remains firm in its position that Papua is a sovereign part of Indonesia, not a disputed territory. Any attempt to divide it is a direct threat to national integrity and undermines the rights and future of the Papuan people themselves.
