On 4 November 2022, joint TNI-Polri security force members shot down 7-year-old Elpina Duwitau during a law enforcement operation in the village of Yokatapa, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency. The security force members attempted to arrest a fugitive named Mr Luther Japugau. The police believe he is affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB), an armed resistance group fighting for the political independence of West Papua.
The incident was confirmed by the Intan Jaya Police chief, Commissioner Afrizal Asri, and the XVII Cenderawasih military commander, Colonel Herman Taryaman, on 5 November 2022. According to officer Asri, Elpina Duwitau was hit by a bullet ricochet on the right thigh (see photo, source: independent HRDs). The security force members had opened fire because Mr Japugau resisted arrest. Elpina was admitted to a health centre in Sugapa for first aid treatment. On 5 November 2022, she was transferred to a hospital in the city of Nabire, where she received more comprehensive medical care.
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Yokatapa Village (-3.7582459882172747, 137.01011922421284)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Intan Jaya Regency, Sugapa District
total number of victims: 1
period of incident: 04.11.2022
perpetrator: other security forces
perpetrator details: Joint TNI-Polri Apparatus
Issues: ill-treatment, torture, indigenous peoples
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Detail name | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violation |
| 1 | Elpina Duwitau | female | 7 | indigenous | ill-treatment |
