Yogyakarta – As conflict and displacement continue to affect communities in Papua, ensuring access to fundamental rights remains an urgent concern for scholars and peace advocates. The issue took center stage at a focus group discussion titled “Strategies for Fulfilling the Rights of Displaced People in Papua from a Human Rights Perspective,” held at UGM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences in Yogyakarta on October 2, 2026.

Organized by the National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (Komnas HAM RI) and Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Papua Task Force (GTP UGM), the forum formed part of Komnas HAM’s ongoing effort to monitor the human rights situation of people affected by conflict and displacement in Papua.

To enrich the discussion, Komnas HAM brought together scholars and peace advocates, including Ridwan, Ph.D., a lecturer at UIII’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Drawing on his experience teaching and working for peace in Papua, Ridwan described the roles of different actors in addressing conflict and the challenges of building broad-based coordination among them.

He emphasized that sustained collaboration is essential to safeguarding the rights of displaced communities amid continuing conflict. He also offered a comparative perspective based on experiences elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Through this exchange of experience and ideas, the forum aimed to deepen understanding of the situation facing displaced people in Papua, the difficulties they encounter, and the policies and practices already in place. More broadly, the discussion provided space to identify steps that could strengthen the fulfillment of their rights and ensure sustainable protection in the years ahead.