1 Sep 2015

Commission to probe deaths of Papuans in Timika

7:13 am on 1 September 2015
The West Papua Morning Star flag

The West Papua Morning Star flag Photo: AFP

Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights is to visit Indonesia's Papua region this month to investigate the deaths of two Papuans allegedly shot by soldiers last week.

The Jakarta Post reports the commissioner Natalius Pigai has deplored the incident in Timika in which the civilians were killed and a number of ethnic Kamoro injured during a traditional ceremony at a church complex in Timika.

The commissioner also questioned President Joko Widodo's commitments to immediately resolve human rights violations that continue to occur in Papua.

The victims were buried on Sunday and the paper reports they were shot dead when two soldiers arrived intoxicated at a party to honour a local tribesman.

The paper reports the Regional Military Command has apologised for the incident and says military tribunals will be organised to hear the charges against the perpetrators.