Komnas HAM Disappointed Makassar District Court Judge Frees Defendant in the Paniai Papua Serious Human Rights Violations Case

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) said it was disappointed with the decision of the panel of judges at the Makassar District Court which handed down an acquittal against the accused in the alleged gross human rights violations in Paniai.

"This decision certainly makes one feel disappointed and concerned", said Komnas HAM chairman, Atnike Nova Sigiro, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, December 8.

This was conveyed by the Chairman of Komnas HAM in response to the decision of the panel of judges at the Makassar District Court which acquitted the single accused in the Paniai case, Major Inf (Purn) Isak Sattu.

Even though the judge acquitted Major Inf (Purn) Isak Sattu, the court's decision stated that human rights violations had indeed occurred. However, the judge failed to prove who should be responsible.

In line with that, Deputy Chairperson for External Affairs, Abdul Haris Semendawai, said the institution had properly recorded the judicial process that took place. Komnas HAM considers that the human rights trial in the Paniai case is a way to provide justice for the victims.

However, unfortunately, today's judge's verdict seems to have dashed the hopes that the public has pinned on, especially the victims. It also creates a feeling of pessimism if there is a judicial process to come.

Not only that, during the monitoring conducted by Komnas HAM from September to December 2022, the agency also found that there had been a non-transparent attitude since the investigation and prosecution processes.

"There is an attitude that is not transparent and does not involve witnesses and victims", he said.

"Moreover, there is only one suspect, in this case, Major Inf (Purn) Isak Sattu. This means that from the start there was distrust and a feeling of concern that the case would not go as expected", he explained.