Amnesty Int Demand Investigation on Shooting of Papuan Father,Son

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the news about two Nduga, Papua residents who were allegedly shot dead by Indonesian armed forces (TNI) personnel, Amnesty International Indonesia executive director, Usman Hamid, on Tuesday called for the government to put an end on violence and human rights violations happening in Papua.

“Authorities shooting two Papuan residents again shows that the government often acts repressive in Papua,” said Usman in Tuesday’s written release. Usman also explains that the two Nduga residents were father and son. 

Apart from demanding an immediate thorough investigation that is both independent and transparent, Usman Hamid also called for the Indonesian military to appropriately punish the suspected perpetrators. He argues that disciplinary punishments would not suffice as the incident is a criminal offense and human rights violation. 

The Amnesty International Indonesia director cited that the state would fail its people if the perpetrators of the shooting are only taken to the military court and cites the government has failed to uphold the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945).

The shooting reportedly happened on Saturday, July 18, at around 15:00 local times. The father and son were identified as Selu Karunggu (20) and Elias Karunggu (34) who are both refugees of the 2018 Nduga incident. Both men were shot as they were heading to the Nduga District’s capital of Kenyam.

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AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI