Yahukimo, Olemah.com – The family of Tobias Silak, who died after allegedly being shot by a member of Brimob (Mobile Brigade Corps) of Yahukimo Police on the night of Tuesday, August 20, 2024, has called on Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
David Sobolim, representing the family of Tobias Silak and another victim who was seriously injured, Naro Dapla, stated that they had met with the Papua Representative Office of Komnas HAM on September 11, 2024, and the Papua Police on September 18, 2024, urging them to promptly investigate the case.
“We are now waiting for the Komnas HAM team from Jakarta to come to Yahukimo and carry out an investigation to reveal the perpetrator,” Sobolim told Jubi via WhatsApp on Thursday (September 19, 2024).
Sobolim also shared that the family and relatives of the two victims had established the 'Front Justice for Tobias Silak' and had filed complaints with the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH) in Jayapura, seeking legal assistance in their quest for justice.
“We chose LBH Papua to assist the victim’s family, the Front Justice for Tobias Silak, and sympathizers in seeking justice for the murder of our family member,” Sobolim said.
He emphasized that Tobias Silak was a civilian and an employee of the Yahukimo branch of Bawaslu (Election Supervisory Board). The Front Justice for Tobias Silak has held meetings with various stakeholders, advocating for the identification and legal prosecution of those responsible. On September 17, 2024, they met with the Yahukimo District Council (DPRK), and on September 18, 2024, with Yahukimo Bawaslu.
“We hope the Yahukimo DPRK will support the family in seeking justice and play their role in pushing for the identification of the perpetrator,” Sobolim added.
He urged Komnas HAM, both nationally and regionally, to expedite the investigation and avoid unnecessary delays. “If this case drags on, evidence of the murder may disappear. We urge Komnas HAM to immediately come to the field and reveal the perpetrator,” he insisted.
During their meeting with Bawaslu Yahukimo, the Chair of the Front Justice for Tobias Silak, Herlina Sobolim, stressed that the purpose of their visit was to ask Bawaslu Yahukimo, the provincial Bawaslu, and the central Bawaslu to clarify that Tobias Silak was a civilian and a staff member of Bawaslu Yahukimo. She emphasized that Tobias had no involvement with any organization he was falsely accused of being associated with.
“If Tobias Silak’s status is not clearly explained, others may accuse him unfairly. There are witnesses who can detail the chronology of the shooting, including identifying the perpetrator,” she said.
In response, Bawaslu Yahukimo Commissioner, Peud Yahuli, confirmed that Tobias Silak was an ordinary civilian who became a victim of the shooting. “We all know that Tobias Silak was a pure civilian. After graduating in 2022, he worked as an active staff member of Bawaslu Yahukimo,” Yahuli stated.
Yahuli further expressed hope that Komnas HAM would come forward to reveal the truth according to legal principles in Indonesia. “This case will undoubtedly reveal who was responsible for the shooting. We hope for the truth to come out, and for the perpetrator to be held accountable according to Indonesian law,” he said.
In the same meeting with DPRK Yahukimo, Council Member Okto Kambue expressed full support for the investigation into the shooting of Tobias Silak, a civilian. “We, as DPRK members, call on the Papua Police Chief to immediately remove the Yahukimo Police Chief. The shooting of Tobias Silak is not the first extrajudicial killing; the Yahukimo Police Chief has failed to protect the people,” Kambue said.
Kambue demanded that the Papua Police Chief take swift action against the police chief who failed to safeguard the community. “Remove him from his position and bring the shooter to justice. This was an inhumane act—Tobias was a civilian, unarmed, and working as a staff member at Bawaslu Yahukimo,” he emphasized.
Another DPRK member, Amsal Siep, urged the Yahukimo government to provide ongoing legal education to the public and for law enforcement officers to protect citizens. “We must also remind the police here not to recklessly shoot civilians. Protect and safeguard the people according to the police mission,” Siep said.
He added that as representatives of the people, the DPRK would continue to oversee the investigation of the shooting of Tobias Silak. “We must clarify that Tobias Silak was an active employee at the Bawaslu office in Yahukimo, and this case must be prosecuted in accordance with the law. The shooting was an arbitrary act by Brimob, and we call on the Papua Police Chief to immediately investigate the case,” Siep added.
According to Siep, incidents of military violence against civilians have increased over the past four years in Yahukimo. “Members of Indonesia’s military continue to roam freely, committing violence and shootings against Yahukimo’s civilians, and the broader population of Papua,” he said.****
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