Indonesia Rights Body Criticises Military Over 12 Civilians Killed in Papua Operation

Indonesian National Human Rights Commission Criticizes Military Over Civilians Killed

The military stated it had no information about the deaths, but the rights commission reported 12 people, including women and children, were shot dead during an operation against separatists in central Papua on April 14. Dozens sustained serious injuries.

Commission chief Anis Hidayah condemned the enforcement operation that resulted in civilian casualties, stating all forms of attacks against civilians constitute violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The commission urged Indonesia’s military to reevaluate operations against Papuan rebels.

Papua, rich in resources like gold and copper, has seen a separatist movement since it was brought under Indonesian control in 1969. The military’s Habema task force carried out an operation on April 14 after receiving reports of rebel presence from civilians. Four rebels were killed during the operation in Kembru village; one child reportedly died from a gunshot in a nearby incident.