TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The chair of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Anis Hidayah, pushes for a ceasefire between the Indonesian government and the armed groups in Papua. The escalating conflict has resulted in civilian casualties.
"Komnas HAM urges the state to take serious measures to stop all forms of armed conflict, including a ceasefire, where civilians have been the most vulnerable victims in every ceasefire that has occurred in Papua," said Anis Hidayah at the Komnas HAM office, Central Jakarta, on July 6, 2026.
Anis lamented the shooting of an American pilot and civilians in Intan Jaya, including a pregnant woman who was shot and killed.
The Indonesian government is also urged to uphold the rule of law by giving restitution to the victims' families. Without due process of law, the victims' right to justice cannot be fulfilled, she said.
"We urge law enforcers to work professionally, objectively, and impartially, and to provide as wide access as possible for Komnas HAM to conduct an investigation," she said.
Additionally, the Komnas HAM chief called for state accountability in the case of the shootings in Papua. "We invite all parties not to be provoked and to push for humanitarian dialogue among all, including the government, church, civil society, indigenous people, and other stakeholders, to allow human rights implementation in Papua to resume," said Anis.
The escalation of the conflict in Papua was exacerbated by the shooting of Nicolas F. Goseling, an American pilot flying a plane owned by PT AMA in Sobaham District, Yakuhimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on July 2.
The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM)claimed responsibility for the attack, as confirmed by its spokesperson Sebby Sembom.
"We fired shots as ultimatum so no more Indonesian airlines fly over the land of Papua," said Sambom in a written statement on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Following this incident, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) from the Habema Operational Command (Koops Habema) deployed a special operation to seize the Ipdeheik airstrip in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, where the American pilot was shot and the PT AMA feeder aircraft was set ablaze.
Another incident was a shootout between the Habema corps and the TPNPB-OPM late Thursday in Wandoga Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua. In that incident, a 7-8-month pregnant woman named Melkiana Duwitau was killed alongside her unborn baby after being shot while inside her own home.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Komnas HAM Urges Probe After Pregnant Woman Killed in Papua Clash
Prime Minister [PM] Hon. Matthew Wale has called on the Government of Indonesia to take constructive steps toward reducing tensions in West Papua.
This includes the consideration of demilitarization measures and the establishment of an inclusive and credible dialogue process.
The Prime Minister highlights the importance of addressing the human rights situation and acknowledging the legitimate aspirations of the West Papuan people.
He said this includes their desire for self-determination, through peaceful and lawful means.
He emphasized that these aspirations must be given due recognition and that a robust and credible process must be established to address them.
“Sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue, mutual respect and a commitment to upholding human rights,” Prime Minister Wale stated.
Prime Minister Wale also expressed deep concern over reports of escalating violence, strongly condemning the killing of innocent civilians, as well as the killing of the United States pilot.
“The protection of civilian lives must remain paramount, and all parties must exercise maximum restraint,” he said.
The Prime Minister further expressed concern over what appears to be a continued policy of increasing the number of Indonesian military personnel in West Papua.
He cautioned that further militarization risks exacerbating tensions rather than resolving them.
“Peace cannot be secured through force. Indonesia cannot expect to achieve stability by attempting to impose control through violence,” he added.
Prime Minister Wale reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ commitment to supporting peaceful engagement, regional stability, and the respect for human rights.
– PM Press Secretariat
Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights has called on the country's President, Prabowo Subianto, to conduct a review of security operations for possible new rules of engagement for military and security personnel deployed across West Papua.
The commission known in Indonesian as Komnas HAM says security operations should prioritise more of a humanitarian, rights-based approach through the conflict-affected area rather than relying on colonial repressive measures in the face of the West Papuan independence movement.
The appeal follows ongoing allegations Indonesian security forces have been involved in a series of targeted attacks on Papuan civilians in Intan Jaya Regency of the Central Papua province.
Speaking at a press conference held in the territory's largest city of Jayapura on Thursday, Papua office head of the commission, Frits Ramandey, said Komnas HAM had gathered information indicating the body of Papuan man Okto Tigau was found lying in Mamba village on July 1 in the Sugapa district of the Intan Jaya Regency after he had been reported missing two days earlier.
"The victim's body was found near the Rajawali Task Force military post in Habema, and bore several wounds to the chest and abdomen," Mr Ramandey said.
It was also alleged another three Papuans in Intan Jaya were killed in multiple shooting incidents over the past few days which ended the life of an unborn child, who died in the womb. The mother, Melkiana Duwitau, was said to be seven months pregnant, according to reports of an underground Papuan media outlet in the territory.
Ms Duwitau and her unborn child were killed after she was allegedly struck by stray gunfire while inside her own home.
The series of deadly incidents sparked public anger in Intan Jaya, culminating with widespread protests in which thousands of residents joined students on Friday calling on Indonesian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the shootings.
The protesters reportedly carried the bodies of Ms Duwitau and her unborn child, who allegedly was delivered during emergency surgery at Intan Jaya Regional General Hospital after the mother was shot, back to the family's home.
Komnas HAM has documented at least seven violent incidents in Intan Jaya throughout the months of May and June.
Among them was an explosion believed to have been caused by a grenade at St Paul Catholic Church in Nabuni Mbamogo on May 17 which injured four civilians, and a separate suspected grenade attack - allegedly dropped by a drone - in the Danggoa village in the Agisiga district on June 18 which wounded two civilians.
The commission also recorded an armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army and the Rajawali IV military task force - a special Indonesian regional defence command - on June 27, also in Agisiga, where an Indonesian soldier was killed and three others were injured.
Gunfire also struck the vehicle of Reverend Yanuarius Yange Yogi, a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Timika in Central Papua on June 29.
Separate shootings on the same day left two Papuans wounded in Titigi in the Sugapa district while Elianus Agimbau, a Protestant pastor with the Indonesian Evangelical Tabernacle Church, was killed in Kupia village in Agisiga.
Komnas HAM has condemned the alleged attacks on Papuan civilians, saying violence against the "non-combatant" Indigenous people cannot be justified under any circumstances.
"Any attack against civilians, whether during armed conflict or outside it, by state or non-state actors constitutes a violation of human rights, international humanitarian law and the rights to life and security," Mr Ramandey said.
He expressed condolences to the families involved, stressing that civilians must receive the highest level of protection.
Mr Ramandey urged both Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could spread fear, stigmatise communities or place innocent civilians at risk.
He also called on Indonesian authorities to ensure law enforcement and security operations are carried out professionally, proportionately and in accordance with international human rights principles.
Komnas HAM urged both central and regional governments to provide comprehensive assistance to victims, including medical and psychological care, while ensuring that civilians are not forced to flee their homes over violence.
The commission have asked to hold an independent, transparent and thorough investigation into the killings and other acts of violence to ensure accountability and justice for the victims and their families.
"Komnas HAM is treating these incidents with the utmost seriousness," Mr Ramandey said.
"We are collecting information and will continue monitoring the situation in accordance with our mandate."
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