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. The protest in Nabire triggered outbreaks of occasional ethnic violence in the Bumi Wonoreja area. Acts of horizontal violence between Papuans and non-Papuans have significantly increased over the past years, resulting in a growing potential risk for the occurrence of atrocities in West Papua.
The protest in the town of Nabire gathered at Kali Bobo, Siriwini, Karang Market, SP I, and Jepara II. Police officers from Nabire District Police were present at all gathering points to disperse the crowd with batons, teargas, and rubber ammunition. According to information published by local media, 101 protesters were reportedly detained at the yard in front of the Nabire District Police headquarters. Police officers forced them to take off their shirts while exposed to the tropical midday sun (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs). Ninety-four protesters were reportedly released in the evening, at 11.23 PM, while seven KNPB supporters remained in custody. It is not clear if they have already been released or whether the police will press charges against them.
Police officers dispersed the crowd with stun guns, batons, teargas, sharp weapons, and rubber ammunition, firing indiscriminately into the crowd (see photo of bullet shells below, source: independent HRDs). At least eleven protesters were injured, with three of them being hospitalised. One protester sustained a stab wound as a police officer allegedly stabbed him with a knife to the head (see photos below, source: independent HRDs). Two journalists were intimidated by police officers and reportedly prevented from covering the peaceful protest.
Following the dispersal, human rights defenders documented attacks of horizontal ethnic violence against Papuan protesters by non-Papuans in Bzumi Wonoreja, Nabire. A Papuan was recorded fleeing from dozens of non-Papuans chasing after him with stones and weapons (see videos below, source: independent HRDs). The incident illustrates racial notions and horizontal tensions between indigenous Papuans and Non-Papuans that have grown over past years as a result of racial discrimination, marginalisation, and social envy.
Further information, photos and videos: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/police-crackdown-on-commemorations-for-new-york-agreement-across-west-papua-222-arrested-41-injured/
Detailed Case Data
Location: Pasar Karang (-3.3807983133196764, 135.50672648387493
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Nabire
Total number of victims: 112
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Oni Gobai
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
2.
1
Yosua Pigome
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
3.
1
Andi Gobai
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
4.
1
Marselus Goo
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
5.
1
Sue Pahabol
female
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
6.
1
Meri Tebai
female
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
7.
1
Ananias Douw
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
8.
1
Yance Pekei
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
9.
1
Ida Goo
female
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
10.
1
Delpin Goo
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
11.
1
Novir Pigai
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
ill-treatment, freedom of assembly
12.
101
unknown
unknown
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples, human rights defenders