Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Foundation for Justice and Human Integrity (YKKMP) says the Indonesian government should respond to allegations of human rights violations in Papua with evidence, not pressure.
The statement came in response to comments by Indonesian House of Representatives Commission I member Abraham Sridjaja, who criticised Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Sridjaja had questioned the sources of information used by Prime Minister Wale when he raised human rights concerns in Papua, describing the statement as one-sided and unsupported by facts.
He said a head of government had stood at the UN podium and made allegations against a friendly country without disclosing the source of the reports.
“Who compiled it, and how was it verified? Indonesia is being asked for transparency, yet the sources of the allegations themselves are being kept secret. That is a double standard,” Sridjaja said in a statement on Saturday (26/9/2026).
However, YKKMP Executive Director Theo Hesegem said allegations of human rights violations in Papua should be addressed carefully and openly, within the framework of democracy and respect for human rights.
“YKKMP respects the Indonesian government’s right to reject any allegations or reports concerning suspected human rights violations in Papua,” Hesegem said in an electronic message on Monday (28/9/2026).
He said the Indonesian government had the right to explain its position, data, facts and investigation findings to both the Indonesian public and the international community. However, Hesegem said responses to allegations of human rights violations should be based on data, facts, legal processes, transparent investigations and accountability mechanisms that can be publicly scrutinised.
“Not through pressure or statements that could narrow the space for dialogue,” he said.
Hesegem said that, as a democracy, Indonesia should not feel threatened simply because human rights issues in Papua are discussed at international forums.
Instead, if the government believes allegations of human rights violations in Papua are unfounded, the best way to demonstrate this would be to provide greater access for independent human rights organisations to conduct monitoring, verification, investigations and direct dialogue with communities in Papua.
YKKMP also stressed that human rights concerns in Papua did not emerge only because of the Solomon Islands prime minister’s speech.
UN human rights mechanisms have previously received communications concerning alleged human rights violations in Papua.
One communication recorded in the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) database on 17 August 2023 contained information concerning alleged extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention and excessive use of force against Indigenous Papuans and human rights activists in the context of conflict and violence.
Another communication dated 20 March 2024 also contained information concerning alleged violence, extrajudicial executions and concerns over the transparency of investigations.
At the same time, YKKMP said communications or reports from UN mechanisms concerning alleged violations did not, in themselves, constitute court rulings finding an individual or institution guilty.
“Those allegations must be verified through independent, transparent and accountable investigations,” Hesegem said.
YKKMP said it did not regard all allegations as established facts with legal force. But it also rejected the idea that all allegations of human rights violations should be dismissed simply because the government denied them.
Allegations must be investigated, victims must be heard, evidence must be examined, and if violations of the law are established, those responsible must be held accountable.
“If the Indonesian government believes that no human rights violations occurred as alleged, then YKKMP believes the government has a very clear opportunity to prove it,” Hesegem said.
One possible step, Hesegem said, would be to provide greater access to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), national human rights institutions and relevant international human rights mechanisms to conduct independent monitoring in Papua.
He said openness was not a sign of weakness for a state, but a strength of the rule of law.
“A state that has confidence in the truth does not need to fear scrutiny, monitoring or criticism. Instead, a democracy must be able to respond to criticism with evidence and legal mechanisms.”
Hesegem said YKKMP also recognised that the Indonesian government had an obligation to protect all citizens from violence, including violence carried out by armed groups.
Therefore, protecting civilians and enforcing the law must go hand in hand with respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.
“As human rights defenders, we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Papuan communities are suffering as a result of conflict and violence,” Hesegem said.
He stressed that victims were not only Indigenous Papuans. Non-Papuan residents could also become victims, as could teachers, health workers, humanitarian workers, security personnel, civil servants, private-sector workers and other civilians.
For that reason, YKKMP said the Papua issue should not be viewed from only one perspective. YKKMP also did not condone violence by armed groups against civilians.
“The right to life is the right of every human being, regardless of identity, ethnicity, religion or political position,” Hesegem said.
At the same time, Hesegem said that if there were allegations of legal or human rights violations committed by state personnel, those allegations should also be seriously investigated. No one should be granted impunity.
“This is the principle we must uphold together. Criticism of the Solomon Islands prime minister should be answered diplomatically,” he said.
YKKMP also said criticism of Prime Minister Wale’s statement should be conveyed through diplomatic channels and dialogue, rather than language that could further strain Indonesia’s relations with Pacific countries.
Hesegem said Prime Minister Wale had raised the issue of Papua at the UN forum. However, reports about his speech also noted that Solomon Islands had expressed respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as friendship with the Indonesian government and people.
Therefore, if the Indonesian government objected to the substance of the statement, it could issue an official response supported by verifiable data and facts.
Hesegem said the response should be based on evidence, not anger; data, not pressure; and dialogue, not confrontation.
YKKMP again called on the Indonesian government to provide greater space for human rights monitoring in Papua.
If the government is confident that the human rights situation in Papua is consistent with legal and human rights principles, access for independent monitoring organisations should not be something to fear.
Independent monitoring can help establish facts on the ground while also correcting inaccurate information.
The Indonesian government has itself stated in various international forums that it is committed to protecting human rights in Papua and that security personnel deployed in Papua must comply with human rights principles and applicable laws.
That commitment, YKKMP said, must therefore be reflected in practice through openness, monitoring access, independent investigations, protection for victims and witnesses, and fair enforcement of the law.
YKKMP said it respected the Indonesian House of Representatives and the right of every parliamentarian to express their views.
However, as human rights defenders, it said it also had a moral responsibility to remind all sides that human rights issues should not be resolved through mutual accusations.
“We hope members of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives will use their authority to encourage the government to create space for a transparent and dignified resolution of human rights issues in Papua.”
YKKMP said what was needed was not a war of narratives, but the truth; not mutual blame, but investigation; and not threats or pressure, but dialogue.
“Most importantly, the people of Papua need a state that is present to protect their lives, ensure justice, respect human dignity and resolve conflict peacefully,” Hesegem said.
YKKMP believes state sovereignty and respect for human rights are not principles that need to be placed in opposition to each other. Rather, they should operate together within a state governed by law and democracy.
According to YKKMP, if there have been no human rights violations, this should be demonstrated through open and credible mechanisms.
If violations have occurred, the truth should be established, victims protected, those responsible prosecuted in accordance with the law, and steps taken to ensure the violations do not happen again.
“That is how a democratic state maintains its dignity before its own people and the international community,” Hesegem said. (*)
