TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), admitted that his group's attack on security forces in front of Wamena Regional General Hospital violated international humanitarian law. He acknowledged that the rules of war prohibit targeting hospitals in attacks.
"On the other hand, it is true that hospitals should not be targeted in war," he said when contacted on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
However, he argued that the actions taken by the TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama-Derakma in attacking police in front of the hospital could be understood given the recent conflict situation in Papua. He cited an incident where the military entered a church that had become a shelter for civilians during gunfire.
"We are defending ourselves, so we will take any measures to expel the military occupation in Papua," he stated.
Additionally, Sebby claimed that not all TPNPB-OPM militias fully comprehend the rules of war or international humanitarian law. One reason, he explained, is limited access to knowledge, which hinders militias scattered across the Papua region.
Sebby mentioned that in 2012, during the High-Level Conference of the TPNPB OPM in Biak, they printed 1,000 books outlining international humanitarian law guidelines for distribution to combatants. "But Papua is vast. The stock is now depleted, so the books have not been fully distributed," he said.
Earlier, Theo Hesegem, Director of the Papua Institute for Human Rights and Justice, condemned the TPNPB-OPM's attack on the hospital area. According to Theo, the attack on police that occurred at the Wamena Regional General Hospital, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, on Wednesday night, May 28, 2025, violated the provisions of international humanitarian law.
Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the writing of this article
Editor’s Choice: Human Rights Activist in Papua Condemns TPNPB-OPM Shooting at Hospital Complex
Escalating violence in Indonesia’s West Papua region is threatening the security of the largely indigenous population amid intensified clashes between Indonesian security forces and separatist rebels, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned Thursday. Military operations in the densely forested Central Highlands have resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians due to drone strikes and the indiscriminate use of explosive munitions, forcing thousands of Indigenous Papuans to flee their homes.
The West Papua National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, has claimed responsibility for the death of 17 individuals. The Indonesian military escalated its ongoing operations, called Operation Habema, in six provinces of West Papua, especially in the Central Highlands, claiming the deaths of 18 separatist fighters. The recent surge in hostilities, particularly in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, has prompted the declaration of a 14-day state of emergency.
The conflict between Indonesian authorities and the Free Papua Movement dates back to the controversial 1969 Act of Free Choice, which integrated West Papua into Indonesia. Recent military operations have led to significant civilian displacement, with reports indicating that over 76,000 Papuans have fled their homes since 2018. In addition to displacement, there have been alarming accounts of human rights abuses.
International humanitarian law requires all parties to distinguish between civilians and combatants during a conflict. Civilians must never be targeted, and all feasible measures must be taken to minimize harm to them and civilian infrastructure. It urges parties to humane treatment of detainees, prohibit hostage-taking, and allow humanitarian aid delivery, while permitting attacks only against combatants and military establishments.
Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at HRW, said: “Concerned governments need to press the Prabowo administration and Papuan separatist armed groups to abide by the laws of war… Both the Indonesian military and Papuan armed groups need to comply with international standards that protect civilians.”
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