Wamena, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and its Papua representative office has sent a team to investigate the incident in Wamena’s Sinakma, Jayawijaya Regency on February 23, 2023.
Head of Komnas HAM Papua Frits Ramandey said that his party had started working the day after the incident but the investigation process had only been carried out on March 6, 2023.
According to him, a number of parties have been questioned, including seven injured civilians and two sales people who were suspected of trying to kidnap children in Sinakma.
“We have asked seven injured witnesses. Today we are also listening to testimony from members of the Jayawijaya Regional Police,” Ramandey said when met at Jayawijaya Regional Police on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
The team has also visited Koramil to hear testimony from the commander of 1702/Jayawijaya and some of its members. The team also questioned the director of Wamena Hospital, as well as seeing victims who were currently in the hospital.
“We have not been able to question the victims who are still in the hospital because people who are sick cannot be questioned. But we have seen them. We have also coordinated with our partners in Wamena,” he said.
So far, Komnas HAM found a number of buildings were burned and some people were injured. However, Ramandey could not tell the figure, as well as the kind of injuries experienced and what caused the injuries.
“We will also question the families of the dead victims, both indigenous Papuans and non-Papuans,” said Ramandey.
Previously, the riots in Sinakma was triggered by allegation of children abduction. Komnas HAM has focused on questioning the girl who was about to be abducted.
Komnas HAM appreciated all parties who had supported the investigation process. He said the community had an awareness to provide information when being questioned.
“The people in Wamena actively support us. The local governments of Lanny Jaya, Jayawijaya, Yahukimo, Nduga and the provincial government of Mountainous Papua as well,” he said.
Usman Hamid emphasized his party would hold an investigation to ensure the chronology, causes and victims. The investigation, he said, must rely on data and facts.
“Hopefully, in two weeks we can announce the results of our findings and the recommendations to expedite the law enforcement process. We thank the commander of XVII/Cenderawasih, the Papua Police chief, and community leaders who have supported the investigation process that we are currently working on,” he said.(*)
