On 1 December 2024, police officers searched the Paniai Male Student Dormitory in Nabire following a morning worship service commemorating the 1st of December. However, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police forces entered the dormitory, arrested eleven students without providing a warrant (see table below, source: Papuan students in Nabire), and seized cell phones, laptops, cash, a camera, and kitchen utensils. The police officers caused significant property damage, including breaking dormitory doors, and cabinets, and scattering belongings.
Witness accounts highlighted the excessive use of force by the security forces, creating a tense atmosphere around the dormitory. Some students managed to escape and recounted their experiences of the raid, describing the destruction and fear instilled by the armed officers. Despite the scale of the operation, no official explanation has been provided for the raid, arrests, or confiscations.
The affected students and dormitory residents have called on the Nabire Police Chief to release the detained students and return the seized items. They have also appealed to human rights organizations, justice groups, and the broader society for advocacy and support to address what they consider to be unjust treatment and a violation of their rights.
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: ASRAMA PERMANEN MAHASISWA DAN PELAJAR INTAN JAYA (-3.3749824080979107, 135.48184091991752)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Tengah Province, Nabire Regency, Nabire Town
total number of victims: dozens
period of incident: 01.12.2024
perpetrator: police, other security forces
perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: freedom of expression, ill-treatment, freedom of peaceful assembly, indigenous peoples, arbitrary arrest
Sources:
Further HRM News: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/1st-december-commemorations-in-various-locations-across-indonesia-responded-by-police-repression/
Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
1 | Linus Bunai, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Yohanes Mote, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Ronaldo Mote, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Ampret Yeimo, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Obet Agapa, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Natalia Tebai, student | female | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Yulian Nawipa, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Yunus Mote, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Agus Degei, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Sepanya Yogi, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
1 | Melkias Nakapa, student | male | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation |
dozens | unknown | unknown | unknown | indigenous, activist | freedom of assembly, ill-treatment, intimidation |