On 10 December 2024, a group of students from the Walter Post School of Theology (STT) in Sentani, Jayapura were arbitrarily stopped by police while they were driving to a public commemoration worship for the Human Rights Day, organised by the Papuan Council of Churches and Indigenous Pastors. Despite their attempts to negotiate and clarify their intentions, the police prohibited them from continuing their journey, citing concerns about potential disruptions due to the public assembly. The students were transported to the Jayapura District Police and detained from 8:00 am to 11:30 am before being released.
The detained group consisted of 16 students, whose identities and belongings, including mobile phones, were searched by the police. The students were released after legal aid representatives arrived at the police station. The police officers failed to provide a clear explanation for the arbitrary detention.
Jayapura Resort Police Chief, AKBP Umar Nasatekay, defended the police actions, claiming that the students were only “secured” to ensure their safety and prevent disruptions. Nasatekay emphasised his support for worship as a native Papuan but reiterated that the decision to restrict long marches was intended to avoid unforeseen issues.
Students detained at the Jayapura District Police Station in Sentani on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2024
Table of arbitrarily detained students in Sentani on 10 December 2024
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Polsek Sentani (-2.5634323645872943, 140.5272486243709)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Jayapura Regency, Sentani District
total number of victims: 16
period of incident: 10.12.2024
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: freedom of assembly, indigenous peoples, arbitrary arrest
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | Sadrak Lagowan, student | male | 20 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Kenias Payage, student | male | 24 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Wahyu Heluka, student | male | 24 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Maikel Siep, student | male | 21 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Beddy Mallo, student | male | 17 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Manu Hisage, student | male | 16 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Agus Deal, student | male | 17 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Yanto Mirin, student | male | 18 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Lukas Deal, student | male | 19 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Aluri Wandik, student | male | 17 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Tepanus Mallo, student | male | 19 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Nasman Mallo, student | male | 17 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Yosia Meklu, student | male | 14 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Pilatus Lokon, student | male | 23 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Lukas Wisal, student | male | 19 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
| 1 | Temanus Deal, student | male | 21 | indigenous | arbitrary detention |
