On 20 February 2024, plain cloth police officers reportedly arrested Mr Epson Nirigi (see photo, source: PCC), 34, while working for the election commission at the Rafael Hotel in the town of Timika, Mimika District. The officers came to the location with a black minivan around noon. Mr Nirigi works as a boat operator. According to information received, the police accuse him of delivering logistics to groups opposing the state.
The arrest highlights the vulnerability of indigenous Papuans to arbitrary scrutiny and apprehension by state agencies, even though their actions may not be related to subversive activities. The case underscores the importance of upholding human rights principles, particularly the right to freedom from arbitrary arrest and the presumption of innocence, in safeguarding individuals from unwarranted state intervention and ensuring a just and fair society for all.
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Rafael Hotel (-4.536738807020647, 136.87535157109937)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Tengah Province, Mimika Regency, Timika Town
total number of victims: one
period of incident: 20.02.2024
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: indigenous peoples, arbitrary arrest
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | Epson Nirigi | male | 34 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
