Komnas HAM Investigates Kembru Incident: 12 Civilians Killed in Papua

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is deepening its investigation into an incident in the Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, which claimed the lives of 12 civilians, including women and children. This investigation is being conducted by Komnas HAM to determine the legal status of the case.

Saurlin P. Siagian, Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation at Komnas HAM, stated that the commission conducted field inspections in Kembru in late April 2026. The team has taken statements from victims and witnesses, as well as gathered information from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) regarding the incident that occurred on 14 April.

“Komnas HAM has conducted field monitoring; my team and I travelled to Kembru at the end of April, and subsequently, we have requested statements from several parties. We have interviewed victims and witnesses, and also requested information from the TNI/Polri,” Saurlin said in a video statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/6).

Saurlin noted that the death toll increased from 11 to 12 after a child, who had sustained gunshot wounds and was being treated at Mulia Hospital, passed away several weeks later. “There are 12 victims. There are children, women, and men,” he added.

To strengthen the investigation, Komnas HAM has written to the Forensic Laboratory (Labfor) to examine available evidence. Additionally, Komnas Em HAM will seek expert testimony before drafting final conclusions based on the field findings.

Concurrently, the Chairman of the Puncak Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRK), Thomas Tabuni, stated that the DPRK has formed a special humanitarian committee (Pansus) following public aspirations and demonstrations by students and community organisations demanding a thorough handling of the case. According to him, the community hopes that the process conducted by Komnas HAM will provide legal clarity and certainty for the victims and their families.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), Emanuel Gobay, reported that in addition to the fatalities, several residents were injured and more than one thousand people have been displaced following the incident. “In addition to the 12 deceased, there are over a thousand community members displaced due to the event, and there are also injured victims not explicitly listed, but the data has been submitted to the Indonesian Komnas HAM,” said Emanuel.