Jayapura, Jubi – Melince Magai, a member of the Puncak Regency Legislative Council (DPRK) in Central Papua appointed through the Special Autonomy (Otsus) mechanism, said women endure nine months of pregnancy, the pain of childbirth, and years of raising children, only to see them killed at a young age.

Magai made the statement following a meeting between a special committee (Pansus) of the Puncak DPRK and Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Monday.

Her remarks were a response to the situation in Puncak Regency and Papua more broadly, where civilians, including children, have become victims of the armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army/Free Papua Movement (TPNPB/OPM).

“As women, we are tired of giving birth to children only to see them killed while they are still minors. Some are teenagers, some are six or seven years old, and even those still in the womb are being killed,” Magai said.

She stressed that the children who become victims have no involvement whatsoever in the armed conflict.

“Through Komnas HAM, we ask that the Kembru tragedy be thoroughly investigated. We demand that those responsible be prosecuted and that justice be delivered for us, our families, and our communities in Puncak Regency. Papuans are living on their own land in fear and trauma,” she said.

Magai also alleged that much of the reality on the ground has not been accurately reflected in media coverage.

“Therefore, we ask Komnas HAM to protect us and bring these aspirations before the courts. Those responsible for these crimes must be prosecuted. All non-organic military personnel should be withdrawn from Puncak Regency so that we can live peacefully and prosperously like our brothers and sisters elsewhere,” she said.

Emanuel Gobay, legal counsel for victims of the alleged human rights violations in Kembru District, said he, members of the Puncak DPRK special committee, and students had come to Komnas HAM to seek clarification regarding the commission’s handling of the April 14, 2026 tragedy in Kembru.

“Twelve people were killed, more than 1,000 residents were displaced, and others were injured as a result of the incident. We have submitted the data to Komnas HAM and relevant government ministries. This shows that the incident created a humanitarian emergency,” Gobay said.

According to Gobay, the emergency situation has persisted since April 2026, yet there has been no clarity regarding follow-up action. He said witnesses and victims had provided testimony, and information from multiple sources pointed to the alleged perpetrators.

“The victims themselves have informed the Puncak Regent, Komnas HAM’s Papua office, the Governor of Central Papua, and the Deputy Governor about who they believe was responsible. This indicates that the alleged perpetrators have been clearly identified and point to security personnel deployed from outside the region. In this case, spent bullet casings have also been submitted to Komnas HAM as evidence,” he said.

Gobay explained that the special committee was established by the Puncak DPRK at the request of victims and affected communities. Its members traveled to Komnas HAM headquarters to demand progress on the victims’ calls for justice.

The victims are demanding that Komnas HAM identify those responsible for the incident and forward the case file to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution through a human rights court.

“They are also calling for the withdrawal of all non-organic security forces from Puncak Regency. Those are the two main demands. We hope these concerns are heard by the President of Indonesia, so that Komnas HAM can receive the support necessary to conduct a professional investigation into the alleged human rights violations,” Gobay said. (*)