# Police intimidate and arrest Papuan activist Buchtar Tabuni and six others in Jayapura

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-015-2022
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/papuan-activist-buchtar-tabuni-and-six-others-intimidated-and-arrested-in-jayapura/
**Issues:** security force violence | human rights defenders
**Publication Date:** March 31, 2022
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
Six police officers intimidated and arbitrarily arrested the Papuan activist and chairman of West Papua National Parliament (PNWP), Mr Buchtar Tabuni, and seven activists of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in his house in Jayapura on 24 March 2022. Mr Tabuni and one activist were reportedly ill-treated during arrest. All were released the same day in the late evening.

## Detailed Case Narrative
Six police officers intimidated and arrested the Papuan activist and chairman of West Papua National Parliament (PNWP), Mr Buchtar Tabuni, and six activists of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in his house in Jayapura on 24 March 2022. Mr Tabuni and one activist were reportedly ill-treated during the arrest. Both organisations promote the right to self-determination through non-violent political actions and diplomacy.

The officers had received intelligence information that a meeting among independence activists would take place in Mr Tabuni's house. The officers reportedly entered Mr Tabuni’s property and took photos without showing a warrant or asking permission to enter. A heated argument followed. The police claim one of the activists attacked an officer. Mr Tabuni declared that the police officers used excessive and unnecessary force during the arrest, resulting in injuries among two activists. According to information received, a police officer punched Mr Buchtar Tabuni in the face, causing a bruise on his left temple (see photo, source:[ Jubi](https://jubi.co.id/buchtar-tabuni-polisi-harus-hargai-privasi-orang/)). Another officer allegedly choked one of the activists resulting in difficulties in swallowing fluid and food.

The seven activists were detained and interrogated at the Jayapura Municipality police headquarters. Mr Emanuel Gobay, a lawyer and director of the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), tried to visit the activists but was reportedly prevented from entering the police station. All seven were released in the late evening of 24 March 2022.    

### **Background**
Mr Buchtar Tabuni was repeatedly arrested and prosecuted for his political views and affiliations. On 17 June 2020, judges at the [Balikpapan District Court sentenced him to eleven years](https://humanrightspapua.org/news/2020/ninth-update-on-trials-and-detentions-after-anti-racism-riots-in-west-papua/) imprisonment, to be reduced by the period of detention. He and six other Papuan activists were arrested for allegedly organising a series of protests against the racial discrimination of indigenous Papuans in Indonesia. The demonstrations occurred in all towns across West Papua and many Indonesian cities throughout August and September 2019. [Amnesty International](https://www.amnesty.id/seven-papuan-pocs-sentenced-to-jail-for-joining-peaceful-anti-racism-protest/) demanded an immediate release of the seven prisoners of conscience (PoCs). They have served their sentences but continue to be closely monitored by authorities.

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** March 24, 2022
- **End Date:** March 24, 2022
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** March 24, 2022 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** - Kambolker, Waena, Jayapura Municipality
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -2.576442, 140.648385
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-2.576442,140.648385
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Papua Province (Province) > Jayapura (City) > Heram (District)
  - **Region 2:** Indonesia (Country) > Papua (Province) > Jayapura (City) > Heram (District)

## Victims
**Total number of victims:** 7

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Buchtar Tabuni, member of the West Papua National Parliament | unknown | male | Indigenous Peoples, Activist | torture, freedom of assembly, intimidation, arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | unknown, activist of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua | unknown | unknown | Indigenous Peoples, Activist | torture, freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention |
| 5 people | unknown, activists of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua | unknown | unknown | Indigenous Peoples, Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention |

## Perpetrators
**Perpetrator Category Paths:**
- **Category 1:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police

- **Perpetrator Description:** Six officers of the Jayapura Municipality Police

## Sources
1. **Source** - [Jubi](https://jubi.co.id/buchtar-tabuni-polisi-harus-hargai-privasi-orang/)
   - Public Source: Yes
2. **Source** - [Suara Papua](https://suarapapua.com/2022/03/24/ketua-parlemen-nasional-west-papua-ditangkap-polisi-di-kota-jayapura/)
   - Public Source: Yes