Jayapura, Jubi – Students from Lanny Jaya Regency in Highlands Papua Province submitted a written complaint to the Papua office of Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

The complaint was handed over during a public free-speech demonstration held at the Abepura Circle area in Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Monday (15 June 2026).

The demonstration was organized to protest a military operation in Lanny Jaya Regency that allegedly resulted in civilian casualties in Wunabunggu Village, Melagi District.

Head of the Papua Representative Office of Komnas HAM, Frits Ramandey, confirmed that the commission would follow up on the complaint within its mandate.

“Komnas HAM is not a representative institution that receives public aspirations. We are an oversight body that receives complaints. We are not parliament, which receives aspirations. When a matter is submitted to Komnas HAM, it becomes a formal complaint,” Ramandey said.

He said student actions aimed at voicing the experiences of affected communities were important and should continue.

According to him, reports of aerial bombings in Papua over the past two years have become a matter of serious concern. The issue has not only generated public discussion but has also resulted in casualties.

Several victims have already provided testimony and statements to Komnas HAM regarding the violence they experienced.

“This action serves as a warning to the state to exercise caution in every measure it takes. If a state fails to take responsibility for its citizens, it poses a threat to the state’s own sustainability from a human rights perspective,” he said.

Ramandey emphasized that while Komnas HAM could not promise specific outcomes, it would ensure that the students’ complaint was addressed according to the commission’s authority.

“Let us continue to struggle together for the enforcement of human rights. We cannot rely entirely on others to fight for human rights,” he said.

He also urged the president to evaluate the system and operational patterns of military operations in Papua, warning that repressive security approaches could threaten national unity and should be reviewed comprehensively.

“If the bombing allegations are true, and if such actions were carried out by Indonesian Military (TNI) task forces operating in Papua, then they must be evaluated. I will raise this issue with the relevant task force commanders. I will seek clarification from them this afternoon,” he said.

Ramandey noted that the military is not easily subjected to external investigations because it operates under its own legal and judicial mechanisms, making accountability processes more challenging.

“This is different from the police, which is a civilian institution equipped with arms, making its oversight mechanisms relatively more open,” he said.

Therefore, he argued, one way to improve the situation is to urge the president to review military operational systems and strategies, while also reminding military institutions to move away from repressive approaches.

“If repressive measures continue, the risk is national disintegration,” he said.

“For that reason, I call on all parties involved in security operations in Papua to conduct a comprehensive evaluation.”

Amer Kogoya, coordinator of the demonstration, said families were still searching for a Lanny Jaya resident, Yoban Kiwone Wenda, who has been reported missing and has yet to be found.

He also alleged that another resident, Maju Walia, was shot and killed by TNI personnel. According to Kogoya, the victim’s family found only strands of hair and a traditional noken necklace, while the whereabouts of the body remain unknown.

“The military operation in this area has been ongoing for two weeks, and security forces continue to occupy community spaces. Residents are still displaced in neighboring areas,” Kogoya said.

He stated that the security situation in Melagi District remains unstable, preventing displaced civilians from returning to their homes.

“The actions carried out by TNI and Police personnel are highly inhumane. We question why these incidents are not being handled through the legal processes applicable in Indonesia, but instead are being carried out as though the authorities are acting as judge and executioner, undermining the rule of law,” he said.

Kogoya argued that the situation should be resolved through legal and humanitarian mechanisms, as the incidents constitute violations of humanitarian values.

He further said that the establishment of security posts following a military sweep operation on 5 January 2025 had created a sense of insecurity among local residents.

According to him, Lanny Jaya students had previously undertaken various efforts, including demonstrations and press conferences, to oppose the construction of TNI posts in the area.

“However, our concerns received no response, and the construction of military posts continued,” he said.

Kogoya added that military operations in Melagi District have created serious humanitarian impacts on civilians, forcing residents of at least one village to abandoned their homes.”

“We call for greater attention to the condition of affected civilians and for the resolution of the humanitarian issues occurring in Melagi District,” he said. (*)