Papua Conflict: Rights Commission Demands Ceasefire Amid Civilian Deaths

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is demanding an immediate ceasefire in Papua, citing mounting civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict between Indonesian forces and armed groups. Anis Hidayah, chair of Komnas HAM, stated that civilians are consistently the most vulnerable victims in any ceasefire attempts.

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Komnas HAM urges the state to take serious measures to stop all forms of armed conflict, including a ceasefire, where civilians have been the most vulnerable victims in every ceasefire that has occurred in Papua.

Hidayah specifically condemned the recent killings in Intan Jaya, which included an American pilot and a pregnant woman. She emphasized the need for the Indonesian government to uphold the rule of law by providing restitution to the victims' families and ensuring justice through due process. Komnas HAM also requested law enforcement to act professionally and impartially, granting the commission broad access for its investigations.

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We urge law enforcers to work professionally, objectively, and impartially, and to provide as wide access as possible for Komnas HAM to conduct an investigation.

Komnas HAM is calling for state accountability in the Papua shootings and encourages all parties to engage in humanitarian dialogue. This dialogue should include the government, church, civil society, indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to facilitate the resumption of human rights implementation in Papua. The commission stressed the importance of avoiding provocation and fostering peace.

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We invite all parties not to be provoked and to push for humanitarian dialogue among all, including the government, church, civil society, indigenous people, and other stakeholders, to allow human rights implementation in Papua to resume.

The conflict's escalation was highlighted by the recent attack on a PT AMA plane in Papua Highlands, claimed by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) as an ultimatum against airlines flying over Papua. This incident was followed by a shootout in Intan Jaya, where Melkiana Duwitau, a pregnant woman, was killed along with her unborn child.

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We fired shots as ultimatum so no more Indonesian airlines fly over the land of Papua.