Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights has called on the country's President, Prabowo Subianto, to conduct a review of security operations for possible new rules of engagement for military and security personnel deployed across West Papua.
The commission known in Indonesian as Komnas HAM says security operations should prioritise more of a humanitarian, rights-based approach through the conflict-affected area rather than relying on colonial repressive measures in the face of the West Papuan independence movement.
The appeal follows ongoing allegations Indonesian security forces have been involved in a series of targeted attacks on Papuan civilians in Intan Jaya Regency of the Central Papua province.
Speaking at a press conference held in the territory's largest city of Jayapura on Thursday, Papua office head of the commission, Frits Ramandey, said Komnas HAM had gathered information indicating the body of Papuan man Okto Tigau was found lying in Mamba village on July 1 in the Sugapa district of the Intan Jaya Regency after he had been reported missing two days earlier.
"The victim's body was found near the Rajawali Task Force military post in Habema, and bore several wounds to the chest and abdomen," Mr Ramandey said.
It was also alleged another three Papuans in Intan Jaya were killed in multiple shooting incidents over the past few days which ended the life of an unborn child, who died in the womb. The mother, Melkiana Duwitau, was said to be seven months pregnant, according to reports of an underground Papuan media outlet in the territory.
Ms Duwitau and her unborn child were killed after she was allegedly struck by stray gunfire while inside her own home.
The series of deadly incidents sparked public anger in Intan Jaya, culminating with widespread protests in which thousands of residents joined students on Friday calling on Indonesian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the shootings.
The protesters reportedly carried the bodies of Ms Duwitau and her unborn child, who allegedly was delivered during emergency surgery at Intan Jaya Regional General Hospital after the mother was shot, back to the family's home.
Komnas HAM has documented at least seven violent incidents in Intan Jaya throughout the months of May and June.
Among them was an explosion believed to have been caused by a grenade at St Paul Catholic Church in Nabuni Mbamogo on May 17 which injured four civilians, and a separate suspected grenade attack - allegedly dropped by a drone - in the Danggoa village in the Agisiga district on June 18 which wounded two civilians.
The commission also recorded an armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army and the Rajawali IV military task force - a special Indonesian regional defence command - on June 27, also in Agisiga, where an Indonesian soldier was killed and three others were injured.
Gunfire also struck the vehicle of Reverend Yanuarius Yange Yogi, a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Timika in Central Papua on June 29.
Separate shootings on the same day left two Papuans wounded in Titigi in the Sugapa district while Elianus Agimbau, a Protestant pastor with the Indonesian Evangelical Tabernacle Church, was killed in Kupia village in Agisiga.
Komnas HAM has condemned the alleged attacks on Papuan civilians, saying violence against the "non-combatant" Indigenous people cannot be justified under any circumstances.
"Any attack against civilians, whether during armed conflict or outside it, by state or non-state actors constitutes a violation of human rights, international humanitarian law and the rights to life and security," Mr Ramandey said.
He expressed condolences to the families involved, stressing that civilians must receive the highest level of protection.
Mr Ramandey urged both Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could spread fear, stigmatise communities or place innocent civilians at risk.
He also called on Indonesian authorities to ensure law enforcement and security operations are carried out professionally, proportionately and in accordance with international human rights principles.
Komnas HAM urged both central and regional governments to provide comprehensive assistance to victims, including medical and psychological care, while ensuring that civilians are not forced to flee their homes over violence.
The commission have asked to hold an independent, transparent and thorough investigation into the killings and other acts of violence to ensure accountability and justice for the victims and their families.
"Komnas HAM is treating these incidents with the utmost seriousness," Mr Ramandey said.
"We are collecting information and will continue monitoring the situation in accordance with our mandate."
