In the early hours of 7 August 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly raided the Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency, resulting in the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of church facilities, and the shooting of a 13-year-old girl named Y. W. The operation included aerial attacks by two helicopters at around 3:00 am, followed by arson and destruction of buildings, including the church facilities belonging to the Gereja Injili di Indonesia (GIDI). According to the information received Y.W, a gunshot wound to her right thigh (see photo above, source: independent HRD). The bullet remained lodged in her body due to a lack of timely medical intervention. She was only transferred from Mulia to Jayapura for treatment on 14 August 2025, eight days after the shooting. Residents of the village fled following the attack, and many remain displaced. Two other villagers nemd Mr Yoniton Gire and Mr Mati Enumbi sustained bullet injuries. In contrast to Y.W., the bullet pierced the felsh, so the other victims were brought to forest shelters where the parents tried to treat the wounds with traditional medicine, isolated from any medical services. The status of the other two victims is yet to be verified.
According to the information received from local sources, TNI ground troops departed from Mulia towards Mewoluk District, moving through the forest. By 3:00 am, they had surrounded Oholumu Village. Two military helicopters arrived simultaneously, firing upon the area before landing. Ground troops subsequently burned several houses and church buildings. Y.W. left her home during the raid with a flashlight to relieve herself and was shot without warning by TNI personnel. She fell unconscious and remained unattended for hours. On 8 August 2025, villagers discovered her and transported her to Mulia for limited treatment. On 14 August 2025, she was referred to a hospital in Jayapura, where no surgical intervention has yet been performed due to financial constraints and the family’s lack of BPJS health insurance coverage.
Human rights analysis
The incident raises serious concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly the prohibition on attacks against civilians under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State party. The use of lethal force against a clearly non-combatant child, the destruction of civilian infrastructure including religious facilities, and the forced displacement of the local population may constitute grave breaches and potentially amount to war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The prolonged denial of timely, adequate medical treatment to a wounded minor also violates the right to health as guaranteed under Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
13-year-old Y.W., receiving medical treatment in Jayapura
Detailed Case Data
Location: Mewoluk, Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-3.6029783, 137.8822604) Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Puncak Jaya, Mewoluk
Total number of victims: 3
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Y.W.
female
minor
Indigenous Peoples, Student
ill-treatment
2.
1
Yoniton Gire
diverse
adult
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
3.
1
Mati Enumbi
diverse
adult
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
Perpetrator: Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children