On 15 August 2024, police dispersed peaceful protests in the towns of Nabire, Wamena, and Sentani, as well as in Jayapura City with force. According to information received from local human rights groups, 222 protesters were arrested, and 41 injured as police forces dispersed the crowd with batons, teargas, and rubber ammunition. Many wounded protesters sustained head injuries, indicating that the officers targeted vital body areas.
In Jayapura city, protesters gathered in various locations in Waena, Expo, the Cenderawasih University (UNCEN), and near the circle-way in Abepura. According to the police, about 700 officers were deployed to secure the protest in various locations. They prevented groups of protesters in Waena and Expo from walking towards Abepura to meet with the other KNPB supporters. At around noon, police officers also entered the UNCEN without providing a warrant and stopped peaceful orations held by Papuan students inside the campus. At 3.20 pm, crowd control police personnel dispersed the crowd at the Abepura circle-way with teargas and water cannons. A protestor named Mr Paskalis Ningmabin was beaten by police with rubber batons at Expo Waena, resulting in a serious cut of three stitches on the head.
More information and visual material: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/police-crackdown-on-commemorations-for-new-york-agreement-across-west-papua-222-arrested-41-injured/
Detailed Case Data
Location: Cendrawasih University
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Jayapura
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura
Total number of victims: 1
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
dozens
unknown
unknown
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
freedom of assembly
2.
1
Pascalis Ningmabin
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples