There Has Been No Report, Komnas HAM Admits That It Is Proactive To Investigate Shooting Contacts In Intan Jaya

Illustration of Komnas HAM. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) together with representative offices in Papua are proactive to investigate armed incidents in Sugapa and Hitadipa districts, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, which allegedly resulted in casualties from civilians.

"There has been no report to Komnas HAM, but we are proactive in checking in the field, in Intan Jaya Regency, especially in two districts," said Komnas HAM RI member Uli Parulian Sihombing during a press conference at the Komnas HAM Office, Jakarta, Friday, May 16, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to Uli, his party is gathering information to ensure whether or not there are civilian victims and refugees due to the incident. "Our representative office in Papua is coordinating with us as well as with various parties in Intan Jaya," he said.

Komnas HAM, added Uli, encourages meaningful dialogue in handling humanitarian conflicts in Papua in general. In addition, protection for civil society also needs to be put forward.

"Komnas HAM is concerned (intensive attention) to the protection of civil society in conflict areas," said Uli.

Previously, the TNI Habema Task Force was reported to have secured a number of areas in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, after carrying out an operation to take action against armed groups in Sugapa District, Wednesday, May 14.

Dansatgas Media Koops Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in his statement on Thursday (15/5) explained that the operation took place from 04.00 to 05.00 WIT targeting Titigi Village, Ndugu Siga, Jaindapa, Sugapa Lama, and Zanamba.

According to Iwan, the presence of the TNI aims to provide health services, education, and security for road construction to Hitadipa. However, this was actually manipulated by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) by using residents as shields and spreading threat narratives.

Iwan said the joint operation was carried out professionally and measurably, and succeeded in sterilizing the Sugapa Lama area and Bambu Kuning Village from the OPM group led by Daniel Aibon Kogoya, Undius Kogoya, and Josua Waker.

From the operation, a total of 18 OPM members were reported killed. The TNI also secured evidence such as one AK-47 organic weapon, one homemade weapon, dozens of rounds of ammunition, bows and arrows, as well as a Morning Star flag and communication tools.

All TNI personnel are in a safe and complete condition. Currently, troops are still on standby in a number of strategic sectors to anticipate the possible movement of the remaining group," said Iwan.

On the other hand, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) said that military operations in villages located between Sugapa and Hitadipa Districts, Intan Jaya, resulted in gunshot wounds to mothers and children.

In addition, PGI also said that three people died as a result of the incident, while 950 civilians from 13 churches from the Indonesian Evangelical Camp Church (GKII) and Catholics who served in the Intan Jaya area were reported to have fled.

"The churches in Indonesia have a firm stance that shootings of unarmed civilians are highly intolerable. Therefore, they must be stopped immediately. Violence does not solve the problem," said PGI Papua Bureau Head Ronald Tapilatu at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, May 15, as stated in a written statement.