Human rights officials demand probe into Papua office attack

Human rights officials in Indonesia are calling for a thorough investigation following a suspected attack on the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) representative office in Jayapura, Papua. The incident involved an unidentified individual throwing what is believed to be a Molotov cocktail into the office yard, striking at least three parked motorcycles.

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has urged the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) to conduct an objective and professional investigation to identify the perpetrator and prevent speculative accusations. The attack is suspected to be linked to the commission's recent release of findings regarding violence in the Papua interior, which reportedly resulted in at least 10 deaths.

Saurlin P. Siagian, a Komnas HAM Monitoring and Investigation Commissioner, emphasized the need for police to ensure the safety and security of human rights personnel working in the province to allow for continued monitoring of local conditions. While Komnas HAM officials described the object as a Molotov cocktail, Jayapura City Police Chief Commissioner Fredrickus Maclarimboen stated that forensic examinations of the broken glass fragments are still underway to confirm the nature of the device.