On 12 August 2024, police officers ill-treated and arbitrarily detained four Papuan activists of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in the town of Nabire. Papua Tengah Province. The incident occurred at the Karang Tumaritis Market where the activists distributed leaflets for a peaceful demonstration on 15 August 2024. The victims have been identified as Andy Tebay, 17, Mr Yosep Waine, 12 years, and two others whose names were not disclosed.
According to the information received, the events unfolded at approximately 8:30 am as the KNPB members arrived at the market to distribute leaflets. Without warning or attempt at dialogue, the Police forcibly dispersed the group with physical force and tear gas causing bruises on the victims’ bodies. The teargas also affected sellers and other people causing people to flee the location in panic.
The use of excessive force, including beatings and tear gas, against individuals engaged in peaceful activity raises serious concerns about police conduct and respect for human rights. The incident constitutes a clear violation of human rights and fails to adhere to proper law enforcement processes on multiple fronts. Firstly, the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, guaranteed under both Indonesian law and international human rights standards, was blatantly disregarded. The distribution of leaflets for a planned peaceful demonstration is a protected form of expression, and the police’s violent response was disproportionate and unjustified. Secondly, the use of excessive force and the apparent lack of due process in the arrests violate the principles of lawful detention and protection against arbitrary arrest. The police’s failure to prioritize dialogue and negotiation further underscores the departure from proper law enforcement procedures.
KNPB activists distribute leaflets at Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire on 12 August 2024
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Pasar Karang Tumaritis (-3.3809838501681915, 135.5060675048643)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Tengah Province, Nabire Regency, Nabire Town
total number of victims: four
period of incident: 12.08.2024
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: Private Budi Herwanto and three other officers
Issues: freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, indigenous peoples, arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 4 | unknown, KNPB | unknown | unknown | indigenous | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment |
