KNPB's Statement on Violations in Military Operations in Central Papua
The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) is urging the Indonesian government to take responsibility for the deaths of civilians in Pogama District and Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on 14 April 2026.
Central Board Chairman of KNPB, Agus Kossay, stated that the military operation conducted by the TNI in Puncak Regency has violated provisions of international humanitarian law, such as the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War. “War crimes like this must be dealt with firmly. KNPB urges that legal proceedings be carried out in an international court,” said Agus in a written statement on Monday, 20 April 2026.
He added that, in addition to violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, the TNI has breached the provisions of Additional Protocol I of 1977 on the Protection of International Armed Conflicts, and the Rome Statute.
On the same occasion, KNPB spokesperson Ogram Wanimbo said that, rather than protecting civilians, the presence of the military and police in Papua’s land poses a threat to the community. For example, he recounted that in the case in Kembru District, innocent children to the elderly group became victims of military brutality while hunting for TPNPB militias.
“President Prabowo Subianto must open access for national and international media, including access for the International Red Cross Committee to ensure the rights and safety of civilians,” said Ogram.
Based on information obtained by Komnas HAM, there were 12 civilians who became victims as a result of the military operation carried out by the Harus Berhasil Maksimal Task Force or Habema in Kembu District, Puncak Regency, on 14 April.
Head of the Komnas HAM Papua Secretariat, Frits Ramandey, stated that military operations or military operations other than war that cause civilian casualties cannot be justified for any reason. Therefore, he said, Komnas HAM Papua and Komnas HAM of the Republic of Indonesia are asking the central and regional governments to take maximum protection steps and recovery for the victims, including psychological and health aspects.
“We also urge the TNI Chief of Staff to evaluate the crackdown operations against TPNPB carried out by the Habema Task Force with a professional, transparent, and thorough law enforcement process to uphold a sense of justice,” said Frits.
Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah previously stated that the Habema task force’s operation against TPNPB-OPM had killed civilians in Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on 14 April 2026. She said the crackdown operation resulted in 12 civilian deaths, including vulnerable groups such as children and women with gunshot wounds. In addition, dozens of other civilians suffered serious injuries.
Meanwhile, the Head of Information for the TNI Habema Joint Command Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Wirya Arthadiguna, said that the shooting of children and the operation against TPNPB-OPM were two different incidents.
Wirya said the two incidents did indeed occur on 14 April 2026, but not in the same location. “Therefore, it cannot be concluded as one related event,” said Wirya in his written statement on Saturday, 18 April 2026.