PAPUA — The Management of the Central Headquarters of the National Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) affirms its commitment to comply with international humanitarian law by not targeting places of worship or public facilities in armed conflict.
TPNPB also requests the Indonesian military not to involve civilians in intelligence activities for the sake of maintaining safety in the conflict zone.
"We have never made places of worship such as churches, mosques, temples, or other civilian facilities as targets of attacks," said the Spokesperson of Komnas TPNPB, Sebby Sambom, Sunday (7/6/2026). In accordance with humanitarian law, places of worship and civilian objects are facilities that must be protected from the impact of fighting.
TPNPB urges civilians to avoid military operation areas, mining locations, strategic projects, and trans-road construction. The area is assessed to have high potential to become a war zone. TPNPB prohibits the public from entering these vulnerable areas for their safety.
Meanwhile, TPNPB requests the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to stop involving civilians in military functions or information gathering. Based on the principle of distinction, civilian society must be separated completely from military operations.
TPNPB states it is open to independent and impartial humanitarian interventions. If the Government of Indonesia is willing to open access, TPNPB guarantees the safety of national and international humanitarian organizations to distribute aid.
All distribution of aid and supervision of refugee areas is suggested to be under the control of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The international community is also requested to actively monitor the condition of internally displaced persons periodically.
As a state party to various international human rights instruments, Indonesia is obligated to protect the right to life and the fulfillment of the needs of internally displaced persons. This obligation is aligned with Articles 28A, 28G, and 28I of the 1945 Constitution as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The protection of civilian refugees is also regulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was ratified through Law Number 12 of 2005. In addition, this regulation is strengthened by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights through Law Number 11 of 2005.
The 1949 Geneva Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement form the main basis of this protection. The opening of aid access without hindrance is viewed as a form of concrete responsibility of the state toward conflict-affected citizens.
TPNPB assesses that the opening of humanitarian access to the Land of Papua is already very urgent. This step is crucial to address the displacement crisis caused by the prolonged conflict that has lasted for decades.
Data from the Human Rights Monitor notes that the number of internally displaced persons in Papua in the 2018–2026 period has reached around 107,039 people. The displacement figure is said to have the potential to continue to skyrocket if there is no effective handling and conflict resolution.
This statement is expected to become a serious attention for the Government of Indonesia, humanitarian agencies, church authorities, and the international community. The synergy of all parties is needed to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in the region. (One Papua)