Jayapura, Jubi — The Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition has called on all parties involved in the armed conflict in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, to ensure the protection of civilians.
The appeal follows reports that at least nine civilians were killed and others injured by gunfire in recent days.
The coalition comprises several organizations, including the Legal Aid Institute Papua (LBH Papua), the Papua Human Rights Advocacy Association (PAHAM Papua), the Institute for Research, Analysis and Development of Legal Aid (ALDP), the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Papua Synod (KPKC Sinode Tanah Papua), the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Order of Friars Minor Papua (JPIC OFM Papua), Elsham Papua, Yadupa, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), the Legal Aid Institute Papua Merauke (LBH Papua Merauke), the Legal Aid Institute Papua Sorong Office (LBH Papua Pos Sorong), the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence Papua (KontraS Papua), and Tong Pu Safe Space (Tong Pu Ruang Aman).
According to the coalition, field reports indicate that a tragic incident in Pogoma District resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians who were not involved in the armed conflict. Among the victims was a five-year-old child who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, while survivors are said to be experiencing severe psychological trauma.
“The identified victims who died or were injured include Wundili Kogoya (36), Kikungge Walia (55), Pelen Kogoya (65), Tigiagan Walia (76), Ekimira Kogoya (47), Daremet Telenggen (55), Inikiwewo Walia (52), Amer Walia (77), and Para Walia (5),” the coalition said in a press release issued Friday (April 17, 2026).
The coalition argues that the presence of civilian casualties indicates a violation of the right to life, as stipulated in Article 9(1) of Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights, which guarantees every person the right to live, to defend their life, and to improve their standard of living. It also stated that the incident reflects violations of the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, as outlined in Article 33(1) of the same law.
Furthermore, the involvement of children among the victims suggests a failure to uphold provisions under Article 62(1) of Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection. The coalition noted that the armed conflict between the Indonesian security forces (TNI-Polri) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has broadly undermined civilians’ right to safety, as guaranteed under Article 30 of Law No. 39/1999.
Based on statements from both TNI-Polri and TPNPB reported in various media outlets, the coalition said military sweeps targeting the Free Papua Movement (OPM) led to operations in Guamo Village, Pogoma District, resulting in casualties, property damage, and fear among civilians.
The coalition stated that this indicates a violation of international humanitarian law in the armed conflict between TNI-Polri and TPNPB in Puncak, as stipulated under Article 3(1)(a) of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which Indonesia has ratified through Law No. 59/1958.
The coalition emphasized that TNI-Polri and TPNPB, as parties to the conflict, are obligated to protect civilians in accordance with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
“On that basis, it indicates that violations of international humanitarian law have occurred in the armed conflict between the Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army in Puncak Regency, as stipulated under Article 3(1)(a) of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which were adopted into Indonesian law through Law No. 59 of 1958 on the State of the Republic of Indonesia’s participation in all Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949,” the coalition said.
Therefore, invoking its authority under Article 100 of Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition emphasized that the Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army, as parties to the armed conflict, are obligated to protect Papuan civilians in accordance with Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
The coalition also urged the President of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately end the political conflict between Indonesia and Papua in order to halt the armed violence that continues to claim civilian lives, in line with Article 46(2)(b) of Law No. 2 of 2021.
Furthermore, the coalition called on the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representative Council to ensure the implementation of Article 3(1)(a) of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, as mandated under Law No. 59 of 1958, in defense and security policies across Papua.
It also urged the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, its Papua representative office, and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission to immediately establish an independent fact-finding team to investigate alleged gross human rights violations, potentially constituting crimes against humanity under Article 9 of Law No. 26 of 2000, in Puncak Regency.
In addition, the coalition called on the Governor of Central Papua to fulfill and uphold the human rights of civilians in Puncak Regency in accordance with Article 45(1) of Law No. 2 of 2021.
Finally, the coalition urged the Regent of Puncak and the Puncak Regional House of Representatives to ensure the protection and fulfillment of the human rights of Papuan civilians in the regency, as mandated under Article 45(1) of Law No. 2 of 2021. (*)
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