LBH: Killings in Dogiyai Meet the Elements of Human Rights Violations
LBH Papua says the violent events in Dogiyai, Central Papua, meet the elements of grave human rights violations and has urged Komnas HAM to designate the status so that the Attorney General’s Office can investigate the case as alleged crimes against humanity.
The clashes, involving security forces and civilians, occurred from 31 March to 2 April 2026 in Moanemani, Dogiyai Regency. Five indigenous Papuan civilians and one police officer were killed during the Easter weekend.
LBH Papua Director Festus Ngoranmele said the incident began after police found one of their officers dead. Police then conducted sweep operations in several areas of Dogiyai. Victims fell and property was burned as the sweeps proceeded.
Festus described the incident as a sequence of violence carried out by security forces. “This meets the elements of crimes against humanity,” he said in a written statement on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
According to LBH Papua, at least eight civilians were shot. Of these, five civilians died, including a child and an elderly person. Three others, including a child, were injured by gunfire.
In addition to fatalities, LBH Papua reported that civilian vehicles were burned. Residents of Dogiyai fled to escape the violence.
LBH Papua argues that the actions constitute violations of the right to life, the right to freedom from torture, and the right to security as guaranteed by Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights.
LBH Papua also asserts that the actions by security forces meet the elements of crimes against humanity as defined in Article 9 of Law No. 26 of 2000 on the Human Rights Court.
LBH describes the sweep operations as assaults directed at civilians. “The attacks were carried out broadly and systematically in several different locations in Dogiyai Regency,” Festus Ngoranmele said.
LBH Papua also criticised Komnas HAM for its slow response to events that occurred almost two months earlier. It said the lack of progress demonstrates impunity for civilian casualties in Papua.
“Without meaningful developments from Komnas HAM RI, it will only prolong impunity and worsen the humanitarian situation in the Land of Papua,” Festus said.
Referring to Tempo’s April 6, 2026 report “Paskah Mencekam di Dogiyai”, police swept Dogiyai settlements after discovering the body of a Police Resort Dogiyai member, Juventus Edowai, who had allegedly suffered severe injuries from a stabbing.
During the sweeps, police shot and caused deaths and injuries. One of the deceased was a 70-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy. The woman was shot while cooking in her kitchen. Papua’s National Human Rights Commission recorded five civilian deaths and one police officer.
Central Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Jeremias Rontini said the incident occurred after police located the body of Dogiyai Police Resort member Juventus Edowai, who had been subjected to serious assault with a sharp weapon to the neck and back of the head.
After the incident, police conducted patrols in the area. Jeremias said police then faced provocation from a group of residents who launched arrows at officers, injuring one officer. He claimed the situation in Moanemani was relatively conducive and under control on Sunday, 5 April 2026.