Komnas HAM Appreciates Pilot Philip Mehrtens' Release Persuasively

Doc: Antara

JAKARTA - Komnas HAM appreciates the release of Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens who has been held hostage by the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya since February 7, 2023, carried out with a persuasive approach.

"Komnas HAM expresses its appreciation to all parties, specifically the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force, and the Mimika Regency Government, which carried out the pilot release process through a persuasive approach," said Komnas HAM Chairman Atnike Nova Sigiro in a statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

He said the persuasive approach, which also involved religious leaders, churches, customs, and the family, managed to prevent casualties while maintaining the safety of pilots.

He also hopes that this release will be a good momentum to encourage a more conducive situation of human rights enforcement in Papua and encourage protection of civil rights under any circumstances.

In addition, Atnike also reminded all parties to continue to prioritize persuasive approaches and human rights principles.

"Hopefully this event will be an important lesson that will enrich our experience and way of building Indonesia in general, and Papua in particular," he said.

Earlier, on Saturday (21/9) night, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto said that the release of Pilot Philip Mehrtens was the result of the government's patience.

"As stated by the President (President Joko Widodo), this release is also the result of the patience of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia not to take repressive actions because pilot safety is the main priority of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia," said Hadi.

According to him, Mehrtens' release involved a very long negotiation process by prioritizing a soft approach taking into account the safety of the hostages.

It is known that Mehrtens was released on Saturday (21/9) and picked up by the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency.

Then, the Task Force flew Mehrtens to Timika for a health check process. After being declared healthy, Mehrtens was flown from Timika to Jakarta by plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force.

Arriving in Jakarta, Mehrtens had been handed over by the Indonesian government represented by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto to the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett who represented his country's government.