Jayapura, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) asked the Papua Police to arrest the perpetrators of the shooting of civilians in the events following the arrest of the Papua Governor Lukas Enembe due to alleged graft case on January 10, 2023.
Komnas HAM chair Atnike Nova Sigiro said in Jakarta on Saturday, January 14, 2023, that the Papua Police must carry out a professional, objective and accountable investigation into the shooting of civilians. At least three civilians were victims of shootings, one of them died.
Komnas HAM assessed that there were indications of an escalation of violence in Papua, especially after the arrest of Lukas Enembe by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Therefore, Komnas HAM asked all parties not to take actions that could lead to widespread conflict and violence in Papua.
Komnas HAM asked the security forces not to use excessive force in handling mass actions. The police are asked to prioritize humanist steps in accordance with human rights principles.
Head of the Papua Office of Komnas HAM Frits Ramandey said his office had sent a team to gather information about the shooting. However, Ramandey admitted that the Komnas HAM Papua team had difficulty investigating the case because they had not found witnesses who saw the incident.
Ramandey said Komnas HAM Papua would oversee the investigation process carried out by the Papua Police. He hoped that the Papua Police’s Internal Affair Division and Directorate of General Criminal Investigation would immediately announce the results of the investigation.
“We hope the head of Internal Affair and the director of Criminal Investigation will announce the results of their investigation soon,” Ramandey said. (*)
