Human rights defenders have documented the killing of Mr Yahya Tepmul in the Pelebib Village, Kiwirok District (see satellite on top, source: European Space Imaging), on 27 October 2022. Mr Tepmul was well known in his community because of his position as “Linmas”. The term refers to community members trained by the police in disaster management to reduce and minimise the consequences of disasters. According to the information received, Mr Tepul went to the Okpelep Spring near the Pelebib Village to look for his pig, which had just given birth to multiple piglets.
Members of the Damai Cartenz security force unit spotted Mr Tepmul with a drone. A sniper reportedly killed him from a distance of 100 meters at approximately 6.45 am. He died on the spot. The Pegunugan Bintang police chief, Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, claimed that Mr Tepmul was carrying a weapon, declaring he was a member of the armed resistance. Local human rights denied the allegations.
The Damai Cartenz operation is a joint police and military operation to curb the armed resistance group West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in West Papua. The TPNPB pursues the political independence of West Papua through a violent and armed struggle.
Detailed Case Data
Location: Pelebib Village
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Bintang Mountains, Kiwirok
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Bintang Mountains, Kiwirok
Total number of victims: 1
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Yahya Tepmul, Linmas
male
unknown
Unknown
execution
Perpetrator: Other Security Forces
Perpetrator details: Damai Cartenz security force unit
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoplesSources:
HRDs Media Info