Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid is urging the government to investigate the cause of Filep Karma's death. The call was made after the Papua activist was found dead on Base G Beach in Jayapura on Tuesday November 1.
"On the finding of the deceased body at the Base G Beach, Jayapura, today, we are urging law enforcement officials and human rights groups to investigate the cause of the deceased death", said Hamid in a press release on Tuesday.
Hamid said that it is important that the investigation is able to determine if there are indications of a crime or a human rights violation, especially given that Karma was an activist who was very vocal.
"Such an investigation is important to determine if there are indications of a crime or human rights violation behind the death of the deceased, because many activists who are vocal in Papua have been the targets of violence", he said.
"Particularly bearing in mind the deceased actions as a leader in defending the human rights of indigenous Papuans", added Hamid.
Furthermore, Hamid also expressed his condolences over the death of the activist. Hamid said that Karma was a figure who was persistent in calling for justice and peace on the Land of the Cendrawasih as Papua is known.
"Today we mourn the passing of a figure, a Papuan defender of human rights, who was known for being persistent in calling for justice and peace in Papua. We covey our deepest condolences to the family", he said.
As reported earlier, police have confirmed that Filep Karma was found dead at the Base G Beach in Jayapura. His body has been evacuated to the Jayapura public hospital.
When his body was found, Karma was wearing a blue diving suit. Police are currently looking into the case while waiting for permission from the family to conduct an autopsy.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Amnesty International Desak Pemerintah Selidiki Penyebab Kematian Aktivis Papua Filep Karma".]
