Komnas HAM: Papuan Society at Crossroads of Marginalisation

Head of the Papua Regional Representative of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Frits Ramandey, stated that Papuan society is currently at a crossroads of marginalisation.

He made the remarks during a Forum Group Discussion titled “Trapped Between Two Weapons: Civil Exploitation and Papuan Livelihoods Under the Shadow of PSN” in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May).

“Masyarakat Papua berada di persimpangan marginalisasi,” said Frits.

According to him, the situation in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, is merely a small snapshot of the larger issues facing Papuans.

In Merauke, the National Strategic Programme (PSN) for food and energy projects is currently underway, clearing 2.5 million hectares of forest land.

There will be sugarcane and bioethanol plantations managed by 10 companies on 541,094.37 hectares of land.

Additionally, an agricultural land optimisation project involving farming mechanisms, irrigation channels, and agricultural machinery in six districts—Kurik, Tanah Miring, Merauke, Semangga, Jagebob, and Malind—covering 40,000 hectares (expandable to 100,000 hectares), managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, local government, TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), and students from the Agricultural Development Polytechnic (Polbangtan).

Furthermore, a new rice paddy project managed by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Agriculture on 1 million hectares, along with infrastructure development for food security through the construction of 135.5 km of roads (1 km wide) in Ilwayab, Ngguti, Kaptel, and Muting districts of Merauke Regency.

“Merauke is merely a small reflection of the marginalisation of Papuans due to long-standing foreign group movements, which has led to Papuan resistance demanding independence,” Frits stated.

He likened the PSN to a new corporation, repeating flawed approaches that generate violence on the ground.

He added that significant development in Papua cannot proceed if violence continues to become a new trend there.

“When land is repurposed, the people are automatically marginalised. In the case of PSN in Merauke, both local and central governments are allowing this to happen,” Frits said.

“Thus, the PSN is like a new corporation. Past experiences with previous companies have divided communities,” he added.

Frits stated that understanding Papua is increasingly difficult, especially under a violent regime.

He said the current government lacks a clear plan for resolving conflicts in Papua, which is a major issue in understanding the region.

“We actually have a resolution path where Papuans have high awareness, engaging in dialogue from grassroots to top level, then meeting the President to address core issues,” he said.

“This path led to special autonomy, which has become a catastrophe for Papuans themselves,” he added.

Frits added that the Indonesian government should understand and respect Papuan ideologies, which cannot be confronted with weapons or bullets.

Frits presented data on conflict situations in Papua over the past four years.

In 2023, there were 109 violent incidents resulting in 133 deaths and 133 injuries.

The following year, 95 violent incidents caused 78 deaths and 46 injuries.

In 2025, 115 violent incidents resulted in 130 deaths and 88 injuries.

In 2026, from 1 January to 13 May, 43 violent incidents led to 32 deaths and 39 injuries.

Victims included members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), security forces, and predominantly civilians.

“Each incident risks triggering displacement waves,” Frits said.

He stated that the only way to resolve the Papua conflict is through humanitarian dialogue, proposed by Komnas HAM four years ago.

Humanitarian dialogue is recognised as a route to resolving conflicts.

“The humanitarian dialogue initiated by Komnas HAM four years ago must be continued by the current administration,” Frits said.

“Otherwise, Prabowo will end his administration with Papua becoming an international spotlight,” he warned.

The FGD was attended by Yorrys Raweyai, Vice Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) for 2024-2029, public lawyers from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), STF Driyarkara academics, representatives from the Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation, and the Central Board of the Catholic Students’ Association (PMKRI).