Attacks on Civilians in Papua Cannot Be Justified

The Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, has condemned the recent series of kidnappings, hostage-taking, and killings of civilians in Papua.

Usman emphasised that attacks on civilians are serious actions that cannot be justified by any reason, including political motives. “We condemn the series of heinous killings of civilians over the past week in Papua. This is clearly a serious crime under humanitarian law. The right to life is non-negotiable. Whatever the reason, including political motives, such actions are unacceptable,” Usman stated in his remarks on Wednesday (16/9).

He requested that the government handle the conflict in Papua in a measured manner and ensure that every alleged violation of the law is investigated transparently and impartially. According to Usman, such steps are vital to prevent the escalation of conflict and to provide certainty to the victims and their families. “We must not allow the armed conflict there to develop like in Sudan, resulting in massive civilian casualties. Survivors and families of victims have the right to know what happened, who the perpetrators are, and what concrete steps Indonesia will take,” he said.

Amnesty International Indonesia is also encouraging the Government and the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI) to open space for peace negotiations or humanitarian dialogue as an effort to resolve the long-standing conflict in Papua. In an official statement on 9 September 2026, Amnesty previously urged the government and Parliament to initiate a peace dialogue involving all stakeholders in the Land of Papua.

Usman assessed that the security approach implemented so far has not been able to stop the conflict. Therefore, he requested President Prabowo Subianto and the Parliament to encourage a resolution through inclusive dialogue. “We urge the Government and the DPR RI to immediately open peace negotiations or humanitarian dialogue to resolve the armed conflict in Papua. Peace dialogue must involve all stakeholders in the Land of Papua to ensure a dignified solution,” said Usman.

This pressure comes amidst a resurgence of violence against civilians in Papua. On Tuesday (15/9), the TPNPB-OPM Ndugama Kodap III Darakma claimed responsibility for the shooting of a driver on the Trans Wamena-Nduga route. The group accused the victim of being a military intelligence member working as a driver. The claim regarding the victim’s status has not been independently verified. Meanwhile, the TNI reported that a driver was found dead and his vehicle was burnt during the incident on the Wamena-Nduga route on the same day.

Previously, three employees of the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Office were shot dead in Muliama Village, Muliama District, on Wednesday (9/9/2026). The TPNPB-OPM subsequently claimed responsibility for the shooting, accusing the three victims of being intelligence agents. In August 2026, nine women were also reported to have been taken by an armed group in the Jila District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua. The police stated that the case is still under investigation, including to identify the group responsible. One woman was reported dead during that series of events.