Komnas Perempuan Demands Independent Investigation into Death of Pregnant Woman in Intan Jaya

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) is urging the government and security forces to conduct an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the death of MD, a pregnant woman shot in Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, on Thursday (2/7).

Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Yuni Asriyanti expressed deep condolences over the death of MD and her unborn child. She stated that the incident is a humanitarian tragedy that underscores the high risks faced by civilian women amidst the armed conflict in Papua.

‘This incident is a serious alleged violation of women’s rights to life, security, and health. The state must ensure an independent, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation to uncover the facts, ensure accountability, and provide recovery for the victim’s family, as well as take action against those proven responsible according to the law,’ Yuni said in a written statement on Saturday (4/7).

Komnas Perempuan views MD’s case not as an isolated event. Based on its media monitoring, there have been at least five cases of violence resulting in the deaths of women in Papua over the past nine months. This series of events is seen as part of a pattern of repeated violence within the armed conflict that has yet to be resolved effectively and accountably.

The commission highlighted that civilian women face layered vulnerabilities in conflict situations. Beyond the risk of becoming direct victims of armed violence, women also frequently experience intimidation, gender-based violence, and loss of access to basic services, including reproductive health.

Data from Komnas Perempuan shows that between 2021 and 2025, the institution received 75 complaints of violence against women from Papua. Approximately 40 percent of these complaints reported the alleged involvement of security forces or state officials as perpetrators.

In addition to demanding an independent investigation, Komnas Perempuan is calling on the government to provide comprehensive recovery for the victim’s family, including psychosocial support and guarantees of security and access to justice. The commission is also urging a comprehensive evaluation of the security approach in Papua, including the restructuring of security personnel assignments and the gradual withdrawal of military forces from civilian residential areas.