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Indonesian rights body probes Papua incident that killed 12 civilians
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian rights body probes Papua incident that killed 12 civilians

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is investigating a deadly incident in Kembru, Papua, where 12 civilians, including children and women, were killed.
  • The commission has conducted field reviews, interviewed witnesses and victims, and gathered information from security forces to determine the legal status of the case.
  • The investigation aims to provide legal clarity and certainty for the victims and their families, with local authorities also forming a special committee to address the humanitarian crisis.

Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is intensifying its investigation into a tragic incident in Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, which resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians, including women and children. The commission's probe aims to establish the legal standing of the case.

Komnas HAM has conducted field control, I myself and the team have departed for Kembru at the end of April, and after that, we have requested information from several parties. We have requested information from the victims and also witnesses, then requested information from the TNI/Polri.

— Saurlin P. Siagiandescribing Komnas HAM's investigative steps in Kembru.

Komnas HAM Commissioner Saurlin P. Siagian stated that his team visited Kembru in late April 2026 to conduct field reviews. They have since interviewed victims and witnesses and collected information from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) regarding the events of April 14. "Komnas HAM has conducted field control, I myself and the team have departed for Kembru at the end of April, and after that, we have requested information from several parties. We have requested information from the victims and also witnesses, then requested information from the TNI/Polri," Siagian said in a video statement.

The death toll rose to 12 after a child, initially wounded and hospitalized, succumbed to injuries weeks later. "There are 12 victims. There are children, women, and men," Siagian added. To bolster the investigation, Komnas HAM has requested forensic analysis of available evidence and plans to consult experts before finalizing its findings.

There are 12 victims. There are children, women, and men.

— Saurlin P. Siagianconfirming the number and demographics of the victims.

In parallel, the Puncak Regency People's Representative Council (DPRK) has formed a special humanitarian committee in response to public appeals and demonstrations demanding a comprehensive investigation. Thomas Tabuni, the head of the DPRK, expressed the community's hope that Komnas HAM's process will bring clarity and legal certainty to the victims and their families. "The hope for the future must provide a legal guarantee for the victimized citizens, especially the victims' families in Kembru District," Tabuni stated.

The hope for the future must provide a legal guarantee for the victimized citizens, especially the victims' families in Kembru District.

— Thomas Tabuniexpressing the local community's expectations for the investigation.

Emanuel Gobay from the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) noted that beyond the fatalities, several individuals sustained injuries, and over a thousand residents were displaced following the incident. "Besides the 12 people, more than a thousand people were displaced due to the incident, and there were also injured victims who were not mentioned, but the data has been submitted to Komnas HAM of the Republic of Indonesia," Gobay said.

Besides the 12 people, more than a thousand people were displaced due to the incident, and there were also injured victims who were not mentioned, but the data has been submitted to Komnas HAM of the Republic of Indonesia.

— Emanuel Gobayproviding additional details on the impact of the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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