New York (The Indonesian News) – Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to continue protecting the rights of civilians and will take a serious stance in addressing alleged human rights (HAM) violations, especially in Papua.
This stance was affirmed by Indonesia through a right of reply delivered at the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday (September 28) local time. The right of reply was delivered in response to statements by the delegations of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu regarding the situation in Papua.
On that occasion, Indonesian diplomat Nona Gae Luna said that discussions regarding the human rights situation in Papua need to be viewed comprehensively. According to her, civilians, teachers, and health workers have also been victims of violence by armed groups in the region.
Furthermore, she also highlighted the incident in which three civil servants (PNS) died after being attacked by armed groups following their delivery of food assistance to local communities. Nona also mentioned another incident in which nine women and children were victims of confinement by armed groups.
“Attacks on civilians are not a form of peacefully expressing aspirations. Assault and murder of civilians are criminal acts,” Nona said.
“Human rights issues require serious discussion, but it must not be used as a tool to justify violence or advocate separatism,” she continued.
In response to this, she stated that Indonesia has an obligation to protect all its citizens and will enforce the law in accordance with statutory regulations and international obligations in the field of human rights.
On the same occasion, Indonesia also rejected various attempts by a number of countries that chose to set aside facts regarding civilian casualties and continued to level accusations regarding the human rights situation in Papua.
“Such a selective stance undermines the credibility of the concern for human rights that they voice,” Nona added.
She continued that Indonesia will continue to engage constructively to protect the rights of civilians through relevant mechanisms and address allegations of human rights violations seriously through national institutions and legal mechanisms, including the independent National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
Indonesia will also continue to comply with the international human rights system, in which Indonesia’s track record has been recognized by the global community. One example is Indonesia’s election as chair of the UN Human Rights Council for 2026 after serving as a council member for six periods.
This, she continued, reflects the high trust of the international community in Indonesia in the field of human rights protection.
“Indonesia has been and will always be an important partner in maintaining peace and security, supporting democracy and human rights, and advancing sustainable development,” she concluded.
Source: Press Release of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia
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