Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua) has not been able to confirm the identities of the five bodies found in Kali Brasa, Dekai, on September 15, 2023. The agency has yet to complete their monitoring and verification of the incident.
On Tuesday, September 19, Komnas HAM Papua head Frits Ramandey addressed the controversial information provided by the Yahukimo Churches Association and the Indonesian Military (TNI) on the victims’ identities.
“We are refraining from drawing any conclusions as our monitoring and verification efforts are still ongoing,” he said.
Previously, police claimed that the five casualties were caught in a firefight between security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Kali Brasa. Pastor Atias Matuan, the chairman of the Yahukimo Churches Association (PGGY), asserted that the five victims were ordinary civilians, not TPNPB members.
Matuan identified the victims as Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik, and Kaраі Payage, all of whom were reportedly aged 15 to 18 and affiliated with the Kingmi Papua Church.
On Monday, September 18, CNN Indonesia published a statement from Col. Czi GN. Suriastawa, head of Information of Kogabwilhan III Defense Command, who claimed that the five victims were not civilians but rather members of the Yotam Bugiangge group of TNI deserters.
Frits Ramandey emphasized that Komnas HAM was actively monitoring media reports and reaching out to the community, church leaders, and local leaders to find the facts of the shooting incident. He mentioned their previous experience with the Eden Bebari case, which took five months to resolve.
Ramandey estimated that it might also take up to five months to issue recommendations regarding the Yahukimo shootings. He urged the Yahukimo Regency Government and the Provincial Government of the Mountainous Papua to play an active role in resolving the conflict in Yahukimo.
