Natalius Pigai Discusses Resolution of Papua Conflict
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai stated that resolving the Papua conflict requires high-level political decisions and the involvement of multiple parties.
Pigai said the Papua conflict is a national strategic issue that cannot be resolved by a single ministry, institution, or agency. “Resolving the Papua conflict requires a collective decision involving elements from the executive, legislative, judicial branches, political parties, and national figures,” Pigai said in his official statement on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
Pigai explained that so far, the government, including bodies like Komnas HAM, has mostly handled issues on a case-by-case basis. However, he assessed that this approach has not been sufficient to stop the root problems triggering the prolonged conflict in Papua. Therefore, a more comprehensive approach is needed, including dialogue involving all stakeholders.
Pigai also responded to the Komnas HAM report, which recorded 97 incidents of violence and armed conflict in Papua throughout 2025. The report also mentioned 26 cases of violence in Papua from January to April 2026.
According to Pigai, every incident of violence occurring in Papua today is quickly known to the public because developments in information technology have made the flow of information more open and difficult to restrict. Therefore, he emphasised that every act of violence must be prevented and must not occur.
Pigai conveyed that various incidents of violence in Papua are currently widely documented and have become a public concern, both at the national and international levels. He assessed that this situation must be a serious concern for all parties, given that every incident that occurs will shape the global perception of the human rights situation in Indonesia.
According to Pigai, the ongoing escalation of violence also shows that resolving the Papua conflict cannot be done in an ordinary manner. Furthermore, Pigai emphasised that Komnas HAM is a state institution with a constitutional mandate to monitor, investigate, and collect data and facts related to the human rights situation.
“Based on records from both domestic and international sources, there has been an increase in escalation. In almost one month alone, no fewer than 20 people have died in five incidents, namely in Dogiyai, Yahukimo, Puncak Papua, Timika, and Tembagapura,” said Pigai.
The Ministry of Human Rights, continued Pigai, will continue to push for the emergence of a more integrated resolution approach that is just and based on respect for human rights. He emphasised that the government has the responsibility to ensure the protection of citizens throughout Indonesia, including in Papua. He said the government continues to seek peaceful solutions that can fundamentally address the conflict issues.
The Komnas HAM RI Representation in Papua recorded that in early 2026, there were four prominent violent incidents resulting in approximately 14 deaths. “Then 13 civilians were tortured and dozens of people were displaced, leaving their villages,” said the Head of the Komnas HAM Representation in Papua, Frits Ramandey, in his statement in Jayapura on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, quoted from Antara.
According to Ramandey, the four incidents included the murder of two pilots at Korowai Batu Airport, South Papua’s Boven Digoel Regency, in February 2026, and an attack on a TNI post in Sori Village, West Papua’s Maybrat Regency, in March 2026.
Furthermore, the murder of a health worker in the Bamusbama District, Tambrauw Regency, in March 2026, and the shooting of residents in Central Papua’s Dogiyai Regency on 31 March 2026.