TEMPO.CO, Timika- The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will come to Timika, Papua, early September to investigate the shooting of a number of Kamoro residents, the police told Antara Newsagency on Sunday, August 30.

Unscrupulous members of the army killed two people on Friday, August 28. The shooting killed Julian Okoare (18) and Emanuel Mairimau (23), and wounding a number of residents in the Kamoro Koperapoka Catholic Church complex proving that the security forces serving in Papua are still prioritizing militaristic approach.

Commission Commissioner Natalius Pigai confirmed the Komnas HAM’s plan to go to Timika and regretted the shooting of civilians in Papua.

"We strongly condemn this incident. The militaristic approach against Papuans is totally unjustified, especially utilizing state apparatus (weapons) to kill people," said Natalius.

He questioned the commitment of President Joko Widodo to solve human rights violations that still continue to occur in the Cendrawasih land.

"It is true that President Jokowi had visited Papua several times, but the presence of the President in Papua was only to inaugurate a number of projects and others. We have not heard that President Jokowi has a strong commitment and followed by real policy to completely deal with the entire root of the problem in Papua. This is precisely what is long-awaited by the people of Papua to avoid further bloodshed of civilians in Papua," he said.

Natalius added that the shooting of Kamoro residents in Timika on Friday was test for two high-ranking military and police officers which has started their service in the region; namely Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Paul Waterpauw and Military Regional XVII Commander/Cenderawasih Major General Hinsa Siburian to be able to solve it fairly and honestly.

"Actually, we are expecting the two new leadership of the military and police are able to take better approach to Papuans, especially Paul Waterpauw who is a Papuan and Hinsa Siburian who served for a very long time in Papua. But this case came when they newly assume office," Natalius said.

Regional Military Commander Major General Hinsa Siburian after the handover ceremony from his predecessor Major General Fransen Siahaan on Saturday directly visited Timika to mourn for the shooting victims at the Catholic Church Koperapoka Timika.

Together with Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Paul Waterpauw, Major General Siburian also visited the two surviving victims that were still undergoing treatment at the Hospital Community Partners (RSMM) Timika.

The bodies of Julian Okoare and Emanuel Mairimau were planned to be buried on Sunday afternoon.

ANTARA