Nabire: 1st December commemorations with police repression

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
Location: ASRAMA PERMANEN MAHASISWA DAN PELAJAR INTAN JAYA
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Nabire
Total number of victims: 11

# Number of Victims Name, Details Gender Age Group Affiliation Violations
1. 1 Linus Bunai, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
2. 1 Yohanes Mote, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
3. 1 Ronaldo Mote, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
4. 1 Ampret Yeimo, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
5. 1 Obet Agapa, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
6. 1 Natalia Tebai, student
female unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
7. 1 Yulian Nawipa, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
8. 1 Yunus Mote, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
9. 1 Agus Degei, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
10. 1 Sepanya Yogi, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
11. 1 Melkias Nakapa, student
male unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention, intimidation
12. dozens unknown
unknown unknown Indigenous Peoples, Activist freedom of assembly, ill-treatment, intimidation
Period of incident: 01/12/2024 – 01/12/2024
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police

Perpetrator details: unknown

Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples