Ministry of Human Rights Estimates 122,000 Internally Displaced Persons in Papua

The Ministry of Human Rights (KemenHAM) has stated that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Papua is estimated to have reached 122,000. Deputy Minister of Human Rights Mugiyanto said this figure is preliminary data received by the ministry and will be verified together with related ministries and agencies. “There are many refugees there, and the Ministry of Human Rights will soon hold a meeting with related ministries and agencies to discuss efforts to handle the refugee issue,” Mugiyanto said at his office in South Jakarta on Tuesday. Mugiyanto explained that the residents fled their homes because they did not feel safe. He noted that the government cannot yet ask them to return to their areas of origin until the situation is deemed secure. “They do not feel safe in their homes, so they flee. This is a major concern for us. When they are displaced, their rights to shelter must be ensured, and their basic needs must be met,” he said. He added that the upcoming cross-ministerial meeting is crucial to resolving the issue of the displaced residents.