Human Rights Monitor
New report documents alleged crimes against humanity in West Papua’s Intan Jaya Regency
Human Rights Monitor’s latest report reveals evidence of widespread and systematic attacks against indigenous civilians in Indonesia’s Papua Tengah Province during security force operations in April 2023. The investigation documents extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, killings, and mass displacement that may constitute crimes against humanity.
The 39-page report, “Scorched Earth: Security Force Raids and Forced Displacement in Intan Jaya, West Papua,” details how Indonesian security forces conducted raids across four villages in the Intan Jaya Regency between 9-11 April 2023. Through comprehensive investigation including satellite imagery analysis, witness testimonies, and on-the-ground research, the report documents the destruction of 28 houses, the extrajudicial killing of four civilians, and injuries to three others, including two minors.
Key Findings
The investigation found that security forces:
- Conducted coordinated raids covering approximately 2.7 square kilometers across four villages
- Deliberately destroyed civilian infrastructure, including the burning of 28 houses
- Carried out extrajudicial killings of four civilians
- Forced the displacement of over 3,000 indigenous Papuans
The investigation faced significant challenges due to restricted access to the region, highlighting the ongoing isolation of West Papua from international scrutiny and media coverage.
The report argues that these actions may constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute’s legal framework, citing evidence of widespread and systematic attacks specifically targeting civilian populations.
Summary
Between 9 and 11 April 2023, Indonesian security forces conducted raids on four villages in the Intan Jaya Regency of West Papua, covering an area of 2.7 square kilometres. The raids destroyed at least 28 houses. Security forces reportedly killed four civilians and injured three others, including two minors. More than 3,000 indigenous Papuans were internally displaced as a result of these operations, facing dire living conditions without access to adequate food, healthcare, or education.
This report argues that the pattern and scale of the attacks may constitute crimes against humanity as defined by the Rome Statute, citing evidence of widespread and systematic attacks against civilian populations. Satellite imagery analysis and on-the-ground investigations were used to document the extent of the destruction in the affected villages. The report suggests that the raids were part of a counter-insurgency strategy against the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) but argues that the indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas is unjustifiable.
Military officials made public statements about the operations, potentially indicating knowledge of the attacks at higher command levels. This report calls for an investigation by Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and urges the Indonesian government to allow humanitarian access to the affected areas and engage in peace dialogue with West Papuan representatives.
Human Rights Monitor acknowledges the courage of local human rights defenders and witnesses who made this investigation possible despite significant personal risks.
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