Manokwari, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to peaceful flag-raising ceremony

On 27 November 2022, dozens of indigenous Papuans came together to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the independent state of West Papua New Guinea on 27 November 1997. They gathered at the Wosi Terminal. Protesters raised Morning Star flags and flags of other countries, including the Netherlands, the United States of America and New Zealand. Around 12.30 pm, joint security forces dispersed the peaceful protest and seized the flags. According to the Manokwari Police Chief, Commissioner Parisian Herman Gultom, fifteen protesters were arrested and taken into custody. He elaborated that the police would press treason charges under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) against those who organized the commemoration.

Detailed Case Data
Location: Wosi Terminal
Region: Indonesia, Papua Barat Province, Manokwari, West Manokwari
Region: Indonesia, West Papua, Manokwari, West Manokwari
Total number of victims: 15

# Number of Victims Name, Details Gender Age Group Affiliation Violations
1. 15 unknown
unknown unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention
2. dozens unknown
mixed unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
Period of incident: 27/11/2022 – 27/11/2022
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police

Perpetrator details: unknown

Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples