On 25 July 2025, Indonesian intelligence operatives approached Mr Yordan Nyamuk Karunggu, a Papuan activist from Nduga Regency, Papua Highlands Province, alleging that he was affiliated with the TPNPB (West Papua National Liberation Army). Mr Karunggu denied ever joining the TPNPB and denounced the claims as slander and defamation. He links the allegations to years of state surveillance, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests that began during his high school years in Bali (2017–2018) and intensified during his studies in West Nusa Tenggara (2019–2023). The case involves multiple instances of arbitrary arrest, criminalisation under treason and cybercrime laws, continuous intimidation, and obstruction of his right to education.
The escalation began in January 2024, shortly after Mr Karunggu returned from his studies in West Nusa Tenggara to West Papua. He received anonymous calls from individuals claiming to represent the ‘Kesbangpol’ state authority, questioning his political affiliations and whether he belonged to the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) or TPNPB. On 23 January 2025, the commander of the Indonesian military post in Yuguru publicly asked local residents about his whereabouts, followed by similar inquiries from senior military officials in Mebarok District on 11 February 2025.
In the following months, intelligence operatives adopted deceptive tactics. On 5 April 2025, an officer from the Jayawijaya Police Intelligence Unit, posing as a local government protocol officer, attempted to contact Mr Karunggu under the pretext of delivering books for a community school. The harassment escalated further on 9 June 2025, when an Indonesian State Intelligence Agency (BIN) told community members that Mr Karunggu had allegedly issued statements in the name of TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom, implying that he was involved with the armed group.
Mr Karunggu understands the accusations as deliberate acts of defamation and intimidation, designed to isolate him politically and socially as part of a continuing campaign of harassment, surveillance, and intimidation. Mr Karunggu asserted that such allegations are baseless, defamatory, and intended to discredit his peaceful advocacy for the right to self-determination.
Human rights analysis
The harassment and defamation campaign against Mr Yordan Nyamuk Karunggu between January 2024 and July 2025 breached Indonesia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Repeated surveillance, public questioning of residents about his whereabouts, and impersonation by intelligence officers violate Articles 9 and 17, which protect individuals against arbitrary interference with liberty, security, and privacy. The public accusations linking Mr Karunggu to the TPNPB without evidence amount to defamation and stigmatisation, eroding his presumption of innocence under Article 14(2) and placing him at risk of arbitrary arrest or violence. These acts also undermine freedom of expression (Article 19), as they are intended to intimidate and silence peaceful political activism.
The pattern of behaviour aligns with a broader, well-documented strategy of intimidating West Papuan activists through security force harassment, legal threats, and physical assaults. Such practices constitute reprisals for exercising protected political rights and contradict the principles set out by the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. In this context, the accusations against Mr Karunggu appear to be part of a coordinated effort to delegitimise his advocacy for West Papua’s self-determination.
Detailed Case Data
Location: Nduga Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-4.4069496, 138.2393528)
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Nduga
Total number of victims: 1
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Nyamuk Karunggu
male
unknown
Activist, Human Rights Defender (HRD)
intimidation
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: human rights defenders, indigenous peoples