Indonesia's Human Rights Ministry Declines to Investigate Papua Death

Indonesia's Ministry of Human Rights has stated it will not establish a special investigation team to probe the death of a pregnant woman during a firefight in Papua. The incident occurred in Kampung Wandoga, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, involving clashes between the Indonesian military (TNI) and the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM). Initially, the ministry considered forming a team, but withdrew the plan after receiving assurances from National Police Commissioner General Fadil Imran, the Assistant Chief of Operations. Imran confirmed that the case is undergoing comprehensive investigation, rendering an additional team unnecessary. He stated that the TNI and Polri task forces are collaborating effectively to identify perpetrators. Komnas HAM, the National Human Rights Commission, has highlighted the death of Melkiana Duwitau, who was seven to eight months pregnant and died along with her unborn child from bullet wounds sustained inside her home. Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah noted this event amid a broader escalation of violence in Papua, which has recently resulted in the deaths of a pastor, armed group members, TNI soldiers, and a foreign pilot. While the TNI claims the fatal shots came from the armed group, Hidayah pointed out the lack of independent public verification for this claim. Komnas HAM is advocating for a ceasefire to de-escalate the increasingly volatile situation in Papua, where civilians are disproportionately vulnerable victims.

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Pak Fadil already explained that the process is being handled comprehensively, so there is no need to form an investigation team. So it is being handled.