TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) has announced the closure of access for Indonesian health workers, especially military health workers, to enter Papua.
The spokesperson for the TPNPB headquarters, Sebby Sambom, stated that they took this action because Indonesian health workers have worsened the medical treatment for the Papuan community.
"We urge the international Red Cross to be able to handle the injured Papuan civilians," said Sebby in a written statement on Friday, April 17, 2026.
According to him, the involvement of the international Red Cross in the armed conflict between the TPNPB militia and the TNI-Polri (police and military) soldiers will ensure comprehensive medical treatment for civilian victims.
He stated that several civilian victims treated by health workers from TNI-Polri have seen their health conditions deteriorate instead of improving.
"We warn Indonesian medical personnel to leave Papua immediately for their safety," said Sebby.
Referring to the Human Rights Monitor report, Sebby mentioned that there are currently more than 107,000 Papuans in refugee camps with relatively poor health conditions.
Therefore, He urged the International Red Cross to enter Papua and replace Indonesian health workers to provide services to injured civilians.
"We urge President Prabowo Subianto to immediately open access to the international Red Cross and humanitarian organizations to enter Papua," he added.
Chief of Information Center of the TNI Headquarters Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah has not responded to Tempo's inquiries regarding the TPNPB militia's statement about the withdrawal of health workers in Papua.
At the time of publishing this report, the message sent via WhatsApp only showed two grey checkmarks, indicating that it had been sent.
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https://en.tempo.co/read/2098828/police-refute-shooting-allegations-in-papuas-tolikara-clash
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Tolikara Police clarified the unrest that erupted in Mairini Village, Bokondini District, Tolikara Regency, Papua Pegunungan. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, reportedly left one resident dead.
Tolikara Police Chief Commissioner Roberth Hitipeuw stated that during the clash, police personnel attempted to intervene in a stone-throwing conflict between residents. However, their mediation efforts were ignored.
"Our personnel fired warning shots into the air," Roberth said via the WhatsApp messaging application on Friday, April 17, 2026.
He added that following the warning shots, the conflicting residents turned their aggression toward the police. At the time, only eight officers were on the scene. The attack left several officers injured, and a resident reportedly seized a police revolver.
The Tolikara Police subsequently deployed reinforcements and engaged religious, traditional, and community leaders to facilitate mediation. "The mediation was successful; the current situation is stable, and the seized firearm has been successfully recovered by our personnel," he noted.
Roberth refuted allegations that the police acted arbitrarily or were responsible for the victim's death. He clarified that the deceased succumbed to stab wounds. "Our personnel also suffered injuries, with four sustaining minor injuries from stone-throwing and one sustaining severe injuries from stab wounds," he explained.
Previously, the Indonesian Evangelical Church Council stated, based on field reports, that a resident named Elky Wunungga allegedly died after being shot by police who used force to disperse the unrest.
"There were no persuasive efforts; they arrived and opened fire, and the victim fell," said Eneko Bahabol, a staff member of the Council, via WhatsApp on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Following the incident, the situation in the Bokondini District remained tense, as residents from several neighboring villages stood guard and blocked off entry points to the settlement.
He specifically mentioned the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), expressing confidence in its ability to provide the public with detailed information on the case amid limited official sources.
"Komnas HAM must immediately move to launch an investigation," Pigai noted in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.
The minister also urged the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to provide clear explanations about the incident to ensure transparency and accountability.
"I would like to offer my deepest condolences for the lives lost, which included under-five children. There should be no civilians falling victim in clashes between TNI and Papuan armed separatist groups," he added.
Pigai affirmed that it is always mandatory for the military to prioritize the safety of civilians in every operation.
"We call for a temporary halt to all military operations in regions where civilians could be at risk, especially in refugee zones. Protection for residents should remain the top priority," he stated.
He went on to emphasize the incident in Kemburu as a stark reminder of the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law during conflict to avoid violations of rights against civilian populations.
In this regard, the minister called for a thorough evaluation of all military activities in the region.
He then concluded by saying that greater efforts toward transparent investigations are essential to prevent a recurrence of violence against civilians in armed conflicts in Indonesia's Papua region in the future.
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Translator: Devi Nindy, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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