Papua Customary Council forms special team to probe Filep Karma’s death

Papua Customary Council
Chairman of the Papuan Customary Council Dominikus Surabut while giving a statement to reporters - (Jubi/Hengky Yeimo)

Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Papua Customary Council (DAP) Extraordinary Congress Version Dominggus Surabut said the council together with a coalition of civil organizations formed an investigation team related to the death of Papuan nation figure Filep Karma.

“We have coordinated with various parties in the Papuan struggle, as well as with families and lawyers to conduct an independent investigation into the death of Papuan leader Filep Karma. We think Karma died not because of an accident,” he told Jubi in a phone call on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

Surabut said Filep Karma’s death could not be minimized or based only on external examination and family statements. He said Filep Karma’s daughter Andrefina Karma spoke about her father’s death in a state of grief.

“We need a more serious investigation to find out why and how he died. After that we will convey to the public who are still unsure of the death cause of their leader,” he said.

Activist of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Ogram Wanimbo said the authority must reveal to the public a complete chronology of Filep Karma’s death. “We are very dissatisfied with the post-mortem results. We need an explanation of who went to the beach with him and what exactly happened,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Papuan People’s Petition, Jefri Wenda, said the same thing. “We ask for a more detailed explanation. Filep Karma is the leader of the West Papuan nation from the Biak tribe. He was no ordinary person. We ask that all parties respect his struggle,” he said.(*)

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