Komnas HAM Urges Ceasefire in Papua Amid Escalating Violence
The Chair of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Anis Hidayah, has urged the government and armed groups in Papua to halt the armed conflict. Komnas HAM is pushing for a ceasefire amid the increasingly heated situation in Papua, which has once again claimed civilian casualties.
“Komnas HAM urges the state to take serious steps to stop all forms of armed conflict, a ceasefire, as civilians have been the most vulnerable victims in every armed conflict in Papua,” Anis Hidayah stated at the Komnas HAM office in Central Jakarta on 6 July 2026.
Anis expressed regret over the shooting of an American pilot and civilians in Intan Jaya, including a pregnant woman who was killed. She urged the government to enforce the law fairly, including providing recovery for the victims’ families. Without a legal process, the victims’ right to justice cannot be fulfilled.
“We urge law enforcement officials to work professionally, objectively, and impartially, and to provide the widest possible access for Komnas HAM to conduct an investigation,” she said.
Furthermore, Anis demanded state accountability in the shooting cases in Papua. Komnas HAM is requesting the government grant full access for the commission to investigate the incidents.
“We invite all parties not to be provoked and encourage humanitarian dialogue between all parties, including the government, churches, civil society, indigenous communities, and all other parties, so that we can continue to promote a conducive environment for the implementation of human rights in Papua,” Anis stated.
The escalation of conflict in Papua worsened after the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) shot American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin. Nicholas was shot while flying a plane belonging to PT AMA in the Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on Thursday, 2 July 2026. The plane piloted by Nicholas was executed on suspicion of carrying logistics for TNI troops in Papua.
TPNPB central headquarters spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the shooting of the US passport-holding pilot and the burning of the aircraft were carried out by TPNPB militia from Kodap XVI Yahukimo, led by Elkius Kobak.
“We shot him as an ultimatum so that no more Indonesian airlines fly in Papua,” Sambom said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026.
Following this incident, TNI soldiers from the Habema Operations Command (Koops Habema) conducted a special operation to secure the Ipdeheik Airstrip in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, the location of the pilot shooting and the burning of the PT AMA pioneer aircraft.
Another incident was a firefight between the TNI Habema Operational Command and the TPNPB-OPM on Thursday evening, 2 July 2026, in Wandoga Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua. In that incident, a woman named Melkiana Duwitau, who was seven to eight months pregnant, died along with her unborn baby after being hit by a bullet while inside her own home.