Abral Wandikbo Was Just a Farmer: Rights Groups Demand Justice in Papua

He was also wearing a bracelet bearing the Morning Star—a symbol of Papuan independence—which his family insists he never owned.

The Coalition argues that these brutal injuries directly contradict the military’s account of Abral dying from a fall. The nature of the wounds clearly indicates severe torture and extrajudicial killing. This has raised serious questions about the credibility and intentions behind the military’s public narrative.

The military’s evidence allegedly linking Abral to separatist activities is highly questionable. It includes blurry photographs of an unidentified man holding a gun, another lifting a protest poster, and a video of a helicopter—all sourced from a Facebook account not belonging to Abral. None of this evidence has been independently verified.

Meanwhile, testimonies from family members and local villagers consistently affirm that Abral was a non-combatant who supported the military’s development efforts. He was never known to participate in any pro-independence demonstrations or activities. The accusations, according to the Coalition, are part of a broader pattern of criminalizing ordinary Papuans.

The Coalition stresses that the state has a legal and moral obligation to investigate Abral Wandikbo’s death transparently and hold perpetrators accountable. They urge the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and other independent bodies to carry out a thorough investigation into the case.

This incident highlights ongoing human rights violations in Papua and the urgent need for international attention. The Coalition calls on the Indonesian government to end violence against civilians and ensure justice for victims like Abral Wandikbo. (Uki Ruknuddin)