Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Papua Human Rights Commission Office, Authorities Intensify Investigation

The representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) in Jayapura, Papua, was targeted by a suspected Molotov cocktail attack by unknown individuals on Wednesday morning (9/9). Police have initiated an investigation, conducting a crime scene examination (TKP) and cordoning off the area. Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai urged the Papua Regional Police to investigate the incident objectively and seriously to identify the perpetrators. He also called on the public to refrain from speculation until the police uncover facts based on their investigation. Pigai also requested enhanced state protection for the leadership of Komnas HAM in Papua following the incident. Komnas HAM headquarters in Jakarta echoed the call for a comprehensive investigation by the Papua Regional Police. Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation Saurlin P Siagian stated that the thrown object was a "bottle containing flammable liquid with a lit fuse, commonly known as a Molotov cocktail." While office staff did not see the perpetrator, they fled immediately after the act. Komnas HAM urged the police to thoroughly investigate to identify the culprits and prevent recurrence, while also ensuring the safety of human rights workers in Papua. According to Frits Ramandey, head of Komnas HAM Papua, the incident occurred around 10:15 AM WIT on Wednesday, during office activities. The bottle, believed to contain gasoline, was reportedly aimed at parked motorcycles, intending to set them ablaze and spread to the office building. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before it could spread. Komnas HAM considers this a serious act of terror and demands swift resolution from the police. Meanwhile, the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition urged President Prabowo Subianto, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Minister Pigai to intervene. The coalition asserted that the incident meets the definition of terrorism, calling for strict law enforcement under the anti-terrorism law. They criticized the lack of progress in solving multiple similar Molotov cocktail incidents in Jayapura over recent years, including attacks on the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) office in 2022, a journalist's residence in 2023, and a local media office in 2024. The coalition demanded that the President instruct the National Police Chief to lead the investigation, tasking the Papua Regional Police Chief with forming a specialized team to thoroughly investigate these acts of terror against human rights workers, journalists, and Komnas HAM. They also called for the Human Rights Minister to establish a supervisory team for law enforcement and for the Komnas HAM Chairperson to maintain close coordination with the National Police Chief and the Papua Regional Police Chief. Jayapura City Police Chief Kombes Fredrickus Maclarimboen stated that they are currently requesting assistance from the Papua Regional Police's forensic laboratory (Labfor) to analyze the contents of the broken bottle found at the scene. However, he noted that it is too early to definitively conclude that the thrown object was a Molotov cocktail. Source: CNN Indonesia