Jakarta, April 29, 2025 — Shots Fired During Humanitarian Mission; Indonesian Parliament Condemns Armed Group’s Brutal Attack on Papua Representative Team of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in West Papua Province.
Amid sincere efforts to uphold justice and protect human rights, a tragedy nearly unfolded in Papua. A delegation from the Papua office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM-PAPUA), on a humanitarian mission, was almost struck by live bullets fired by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Teluk Bintuni.
The distressing incident triggered a strong reaction from TB Hasanuddin, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission I. In a firm tone reflecting deep disappointment, Hasanuddin labeled the KKB’s actions as “brutal” and “a real threat to legitimate state institutions.” To him, this was not merely an attack on individuals, but an affront to the nation’s dignity and honor.
“This was clearly a brutal act threatening the work of a state institution. The government must respond firmly,” Hasanuddin said in a written statement on Tuesday (April 29), filled with concern.
Komnas HAM, said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician, was in Papua not to wield weapons, but to listen, to reach out, and to seek justice for those who may be marginalized. The fact that this delegation came under fire while on a humanitarian mission defies logic and human decency.
Frits Ramandey, Head of the Komnas HAM Papua Representative Office, along with his team and police personnel, narrowly escaped harm while performing routine sanitation activities by the Rawara River in Meyah Lama Village. Four shots were fired across the river by KKB members. Miraculously, there were no casualties, but the trauma and the threat remain painfully real.
The attack occurred as the team was helping in the search for Iptu Tomi S Marbun, a police officer who went missing in December 2024 during an operation to pursue KKB members. Their empathy and goodwill were met with gunfire.
Hasanuddin stressed the need for a comprehensive approach in Papua—combining security, social, and dialogue strategies. Still, he emphasized that armed violence like this cannot be tolerated.
“We must not let this happen again. Protecting state officers, including Komnas HAM personnel, must be a priority,” he said firmly.
Today, attention is focused not only on the near-tragedy itself but also on the pressing question of how we, as a nation, can safeguard those who serve on the frontlines of humanity’s most silent battles.
