POHR Director, Thomas Ch. Syufi: KKB and KKP Talk About Human Rights, But Violate Them

Jayapura, March 2, 2025 – The Director of the Papua Observatory for Human Rights (POHR), Thomas Ch. Syufi, has criticized the actions of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) and the Political Criminal Group (KKP) in Papua. He believes that their actions do not reflect the struggle for human rights but instead contradict the very principles of human rights.

“I believe that the actions of KKB and KKP are not about fighting for human rights, but rather violating them,” Thomas said in his statement.

He explained that various violent acts carried out by these groups have harmed civilians, including women and children, who should be under protection.

According to Thomas, the struggle for human rights should be pursued peacefully and through legal channels, not through acts of violence that instill fear among the people. “If they truly advocate for human rights, they should prioritize dialogue instead of using weapons and violence, which only add to the suffering of the Papuan people,” he emphasized.

In his view, the presence of security forces in Papua is crucial to maintaining stability and protecting citizens from threats of violence. “We support efforts to establish lasting peace in Papua, where people can live safely and have their rights fairly upheld,” he added.

Meanwhile, various parties continue to call on all elements of Papuan society to uphold peace and reject all forms of violence that could hinder development and the well-being of the people. The government and humanitarian organizations are also actively seeking the best solutions to resolve conflicts through dialogue and inclusive development approaches.