Indonesian military under suspicion after death of 12 civilians in Papua operation
An investigation has been launched in Indonesia following the deaths of 12 civilians, including children, during a military operation in the eastern province of Papua. The incident has raised serious concerns about potential human rights violations.
According to the National Commission on Human Rights, known as Komnas HAM, the victims were shot during what authorities described as a “law enforcement operation” targeting a separatist group in the village of Kembru. Several others were reportedly injured.
Komnas HAM confirmed that it is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the Its chairwoman, Anis Hidayah, stated that there are “strong suspicions” regarding the involvement of Indonesian soldiers in the killings.
In contrast, the Indonesian military presented a different account. Military spokesperson Aulia Dwi Nasrullah said that four separatist fighters from the TPNPB-OPM group had been “neutralized” during the operation. The official statement did not acknowledge civilian casualties but mentioned a separate report of a child killed by gunfire in another village, denying any military responsibility.
Human rights officials emphasized that attacks against civilians, regardless of the context, constitute violations of both international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights.
The situation in Papua remains highly complex. The region shares the island of New Guinea with Papua New Guinea, located north of Australia. Formerly a Dutch colony, Papua declared independence in 1961, but control was taken by Indonesia two years later, with the promise of a referendum.
Although the referendum resulted in a vote favoring integration with Indonesia and was endorsed by the United Nations, it has long been criticized as illegitimate. Papuan independence activists continue to reject the outcome and demand a new vote—calls that Jakarta consistently refuses.
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