The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has admitted to facing significant delays in investigating the torture of three indigenous Papuans in Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province in February 2024. The case, involving suspected soldiers of the Raider 300/Braja Wijaya Infantry Battalion, has been under investigation by the Komnas HAM team in Jakarta and the Papua Representative Commission since April 2024, yet remains incomplete.
The incident came to light in March 2024 when a video surfaced online depicting the torture of a civilian. The victim was subjected to waterboarding, beatings, and other forms of abuse. Several perpetrators, believed to be soldiers, were identified in the video.
Following the public outcry, the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command detained eight soldiers suspected of involvement in the case. However, the subsequent investigation by Komnas HAM has been marked by slow progress.
Frits Ramandey, Head of the Komnas HAM Papua Representative Office, attributed the delays to internal issues within the commission. While he did not specify the exact nature of these issues, the slow pace of the investigation has drawn criticism from various quarters.
Ramandey acknowledged that the Komnas HAM team had not yet met with the victims of torture, citing difficulties in reaching them due to trauma and other factors. The team has also not obtained testimonies from the suspected soldiers involved in the case.
The slow progress in the investigation has raised concerns about the commission’s commitment to justice for the victims and their families. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Komnas HAM will be able to expedite its investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
