Military members torture fisherman in Mappi Regency, West Papua

Military members allegedly tortured a fisherman with the initials AMS inside a military post at the Sumuraman Village, in the Minyamur District of Mappi Regency. According to the AMS, the military members detained him on 7 January 2022 and tortured him for about seven hours. The following day, AMS was admitted to the local health centre and later transferred to the Mappi public hospital because he had difficulties breathing. Relatives filed a complaint to the Mappi District Police against the perpetrators on 11 January. They demand that all perpetrators must be held accountable in accordance with the law.

Human Rights Monitor received a video showing AMS lying in his bed at the Mappi hospital (see photo, source: independent human rights defenders). He testifies that the military members locked him in a room at the military post. They collectively punched and kicked him while he was trying to cover his head against the blows. The military members reportedly pushed their boots into his mouth while punching AMS in the face until he could hardly open his mouth. Subsequently, the soldiers allegedly poured water over AMS’ body before whipping him with a water hose.

AMS’s relative declared that one of the military members later came to her house and wanted to convince her not to accompany AMS to the local health centre. However, the relative insisted to be present during the medical examinations.

Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Sumur Amar
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Mappi Regency, Minyamur district, Sumuraman village
total number of victims: 1
period of incident: 7.01.2022
perpetrator: military
perpetrator details:
Issues: arbitrary detention, torture
Sources:
Further HRM News:

NumberName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1AMS, fisherman maleunknownindigenousarbitrary detention, torture