On 20 December 2024, Mr Sulfianto Alias, director of the NGO Panah Papua, was beaten by a group of individuals in multiple locations in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province. One of the perpetrators allegedly identified himself as a police officer. Mr Sulfianto suffered severe injuries, including head lacerations, facial bruises, and swelling in his stomach and back (see photos on top and bottom, Sources: Suara Papua and Jubi). The motive for the assault remains unclear, though it appears linked to political inquiries about Mr Sulfianto’s support for a regional candidate.
The incident occurred at midnight outside the Cenderawasih Cafe in Bintuni, where Mr Sulfianto was attacked by a group of men. Despite attempting to escape, he was cornered in a bathroom and beaten repeatedly with fists, a wooden stick, and stones. He was then coerced onto a motorcycle under the pretext of being taken to the police station. Instead, he was brought to a secluded forested area in Tanah Merah, where the assailants interrogated Mr Sulfianto, demanded access to his phone, and tortured him again. The attackers left him injured at a third location, where he eventually managed to find help and was taken to a hospital.
Mr Sulfianto and his relatives have called for justice, urging authorities to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The Teluk Bintuni police have initiated an investigation following Mr Sulfianto’s official report. Mr Roy Marthen Masyewi, a local legislator, condemned the attack and demanded immediate legal action. The case highlights the urgency for transparency and accountability in addressing violence against environmental and human rights defenders in West Papua.
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Bintuni Cendrawasih (-2.128707596970428, 133.55777158431766)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Barat Province, Teluk Bintuni Regency, Bintuni District
total number of victims: one
period of incident: 20.12.2024
perpetrator: unknown, police
perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: torture, human rights defenders, ill-treatment, indigenous peoples
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | Sulfianto Alias | male | unknown | indigenous | ill-treatment |
