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🇳🇿 New Zealand /Conflict & Security

Indonesia's Rights Body Probes 12 Papuan Deaths in Military Operation

From RNZ Pacific · (2d ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Indonesia's human rights body, Komnas HAM, is investigating the deaths of 12 West Papuans during a military operation in Central Papua.
  • Komnas HAM stated that civilian casualties in such operations are unjustifiable and noted that dozens were seriously injured.
  • The Indonesian military claims four militants were killed in an exchange, a claim denied by a Papuan independence group, while Komnas HAM urges restraint and civilian protection.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has launched a critical investigation into the deaths of twelve West Papuans, including women and children, during an Indonesian military operation in Kembru District, Central Papua. This incident, which also left dozens seriously injured, has drawn sharp condemnation from the human rights body, which asserts that "any operation that results in civilian casualties cannot be justified on any grounds."

Komnas HAM's swift action underscores the ongoing tension and conflict in the Papua region. While the Indonesian military maintains that its forces engaged and killed four Papuan pro-independence militants, this account is directly contradicted by the West Papua National Liberation Army. This discrepancy highlights the deep mistrust and conflicting narratives surrounding events in Papua.

The commission's call for restraint from all parties and for the Indonesian government and Papua regional government to ensure civilian protection, care for the injured, and recovery of the deceased, reflects a persistent concern for human rights in the region. The potential for mass displacement of villagers adds another layer of urgency to the situation, emphasizing the complex humanitarian challenges that continue to plague Papua.

any operation that results in civilian casualties "cannot be justified on any grounds"

— Komnas HAMCondemning the military operation that led to civilian deaths.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RNZ Pacific in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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