Civilians in Papua, including Indigenous Peoples, have suffered due to large-scale military operations resulting in extrajudicial killings by state and non-state armed groups, torture, internal displacement, and other violations.

From February 3, 2018, to August 20, 2024, Amnesty recorded 132 cases of extrajudicial killings, resulting in at least 242 civilian deaths. Some of these cases were carried out by security forces (83 cases with 135 victims), while others were by pro-independence armed groups (49 cases with 107 victims).

In addition to local civilians, a New Zealand helicopter pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed while transporting four civilians in Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on August 5, 2024. The perpetrator’s identity remains unclear, prompting Amnesty to call for a full investigation.

Another New Zealand citizen, Phillip Mehrtens, has been held hostage since February 7, 2023, by a pro-independence armed group faction in Papua. Between January 2019 and February 2024, there were at least 17 cases of torture involving 50 victims, allegedly committed by security personnel and state officials in Papua.

“Therefore, Pope Francis must emphasize the importance of peaceful dialogue and resolutions that respect human rights and the aspirations of the Papuan people,” said Usman. (Uki Ruknuddin)

 

JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Amnesty International Indonesia has called on Pope Francis to use his visit to Indonesia from September 3 to 6, 2024, as an opportunity to urge the country to address past human rights abuses and to halt ongoing violations linked to current development policies that are socially and environmentally damaging, particularly in Papua and Rempang.

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