PUNCAK, PAPUA – The Central Headquarters of the National Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (KOMNAS TPNPB) has issued a strong condemnation against the actions of the Indonesian military, which are deemed to have taken over humanitarian duties and functions in refugee camps. This follows reports of military operations targeting civilians in Gigobak Village, Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Papua.
Based on reports received from TPNPB intelligence on the ground, tensions reportedly broke out on Friday, April 24, 2026, when military personnel entered the displacement area fully armed. The operation was reportedly marked by warning shots fired into the air, startling residents, including children and the elderly who were carrying out their activities.
The Spokesperson for TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, in an official statement on Saturday, April 25, 2026, emphasized that the Indonesian military allegedly forced refugees to receive medical treatment without clear procedures. He highlighted that the distribution of medicine was carried out by personnel who do not have a professional background in health and nutrition.
"The authorities forced children, pregnant women, and the elderly to undergo medical treatment without medical equipment or professional expertise. We also received reports that small children were only given sweets and medicine without considering their actual nutritional needs, while the refugees were forced to take photos together merely for the sake of military image reporting," said Sebby Sambom.
Conditions in the refugee camps are reported to be very tense. The presence of fully armed personnel during the distribution of medicine triggered deep trauma for children in Gigobak Village. TPNPB views this action as a state scenario to cover up military operations in Papua under the guise of free humanitarian aid.
Sebby Sambom directly urged the Head of Ops Damai Cartenz, Faizal Rahmadani, and his staff to immediately stop these medical activities. According to TPNPB, the act of providing medicine without complete blood checks by medical experts significantly endangers the lives of civilians.
"Stop acting as medical personnel because you are not officers who have expertise in the medical world. We urge the Indonesian and International Red Cross to immediately intervene in handling the 107,039 Papuan civilians who are currently displaced without neutral humanitarian assistance," he asserted.
Furthermore, the TPNPB management demanded President Prabowo Subianto to open space for international negotiations to resolve the root of the conflict in Papua thoroughly. TPNPB also requested the United Nations (UN) and the international community not to turn a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis, and to immediately conduct an investigation into alleged war crimes that have lasted for decades in the region.
TPNPB hopes that international human rights institutions can immediately provide direct assistance to the refugees, considering that the Indonesian government is deemed to have failed in providing comprehensive and safe humanitarian aid for civilians in the hinterlands of Papua. ***