JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS— Amnesty International Indonesia is condemning the recent attack on Yan Christian Warinussy, a prominent human rights lawyer in West Papua.

In a written statement, the organization’s executive director, Usman Hamid, decried the shooting as a grave violation of human rights and an alarming indicator of the growing dangers faced by activists in the region.

“This heinous act not only violates Yan Christian Warinussy’s right to bodily integrity but also represents a significant attack on the principles of justice and human rights in Papua,” said Usman

Yan Christian Warinussy has dedicated his career to advocating for human rights in Papua, working tirelessly to expose abuses and offer legal assistance to the most vulnerable populations. His unwavering commitment has been instrumental in shedding light on numerous human rights violations and advancing justice and equality.

“This attack is a deplorable attempt to silence a courageous voice and instill fear in those who fight for justice,” Hamid continued. “We urge the authorities to conduct a prompt, effective, thorough, and impartial investigation into this attack and to bring the perpetrators to justice in fair trials. The government must take immediate and decisive action to protect human rights defenders and ensure that those responsible for such acts of violence are held accountable.”

The attack on Warinussy occurred on Wednesday, 17 July, in Manokwari, West Papua province. According to reports from his driver, the shooting took place after Warinussy had withdrawn money from a roadside ATM. Earlier that day, he had attended a corruption trial involving local state auditors at the Manokwari anti-corruption court.