Joint Statement Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Human Rights Cases at Yuguru Response to a Statement from Chief of the TNI Information Center on the Case Of Abral Wandikbo’s Murder

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Human Rights Cases at Yuguru, Nduga Regency, Papua, strongly condemns the statement of Chief of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) Information Center, Major General Kristomei Sianturi, which stated that Abral Wandikbo, as a member of the Free Papua Movement, died because of escaping and falling down to the abyss. That statement is not only misleading and obscuring the truth but also strengthens the practice of impunity and obscures the state's responsibility for human rights violations.

Abral Wandikbo is a 27-year-old farmer who lives in Mebarok District, Yuguru Area, Nduga Regency. He was known as a young man that actively assisted the TNI in rebuilding Yuguru airfield, an important infrastructure for the civil society whose area is isolated. The family states that Abral was not a part of an armed group nor was he involved in activities of the Papua Pro-Independence Group. Abral was not fluent in Indonesian, and his daily activity revolved around taking care of his father, who had been dealing with health issues. It refutes the Indonesian Military claimed Abral’s willingness to show the weapons location and actively communicate in interrogation.

The arrest of Abral happened on March 22, 2025, when the TNI forcefully checked through the civil society’s homes. He was arrested at his home, without any warrant, legal assistance, and linguists. By the testimony of the family's victim, TNI hit Abral and undressed him during the arresting process. His family saw the arrest and tried defending Abral but also received beatings as a result.

During the detention, the Abral’s family and the local residents did not have the chance to meet Abral. The TNI once promised that Abral would be returned alive. However, right after two days, Abral's remains were found in a very wretched condition. His ears, nose, and mouthparts got dismembered, his skin blistered, and his hands were tied with cable ties. He was also found using a bracelet with a picture of a morning star that he had never used before. All of these signs show that Abral had been through severe torture right before he was killed. The TNI’s explanation that he’s escaping and falling down to the abyss did not make any sense if linked to the condition of the victim's remains.

The proof that has been claimed by the Indonesian Military as a basis of accusation against Abral is extremely weak and not credible. The evidence included a photo of someone that holds a weapon with no obvious face, a photo of a person that is lifting a poster with no obvious face, and a helicopter video that isn't relevant. All proof came from Facebook that did not belong to the victim and has never been verified independently. In the meantime, the family and the local residents firmly declared that Abral was just an non-armed civilian who, during this time, helped the apparatus and never engaged in any conflict.

This case is living proof of the extrajudicial killing and torture or degrading treatment practices is a repeated cycle in Papua. These allegations against civil society as a member of the Free Papua Movement are often used as an excuse to justify acts of violence. The allegations itself are not based on a legitimate legal process but instead on an assumption and racial stigma toward the indigenous people of Papua. In a country of law, there is no institution that has a right to end someone’s life without any litigation. All citizens, including the indigenous people of Papua, are entitled to the same legal protection.

We consider that the TNI’s attitude impedes case resolution, perpetuates the violence and impunity, and also closes space for justice. This is not the first time that apparatus has used this kind of narrative to avoid their responsibilities. We firmly refuse all forms of defense toward the act of brutality at Tanah Papua.

On that basis, we demand:

The state, through the law enforcement officers, must immediately investigate this case independently and drag all the perpetrators to public court in open session.
The Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) must immediately recognize this case as a gross violation of human rights and immediately initiate a pro justitia investigation.
The state has to stop all forms of violence and protect human rights in Papua.
The Indonesian Government to immediately stop engaging in militaristic approaches in addressing conflicts in Papua, since the approach has proven to exacerbate violence and suffering of civil society.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Human Rights Cases at Yuguru: