# Police detain sixteen students on Human Rights Day in Sentani, Jayapura

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-008-2025
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/police-detain-sixteen-students-on-human-rights-day-in-sentani-jayapura/
**Issues:** security force violence | indigenous peoples | women and children
**Publication Date:** January 14, 2025
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
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...

## Detailed Case Narrative
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](https://jubi.id/polhukam/2024/ingin-ikut-proses-jalan-salib-merah-belasan-mahasiswa-di-sentani-ditangkap-polisi/), 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
![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Arbitrary-arrests_HR-Day_Sentani_Dec24_2-1024x768.jpeg)

![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Arbitrary-arrests_HR-Day_Sentani_Dec24_3-1024x768.jpeg)

![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Students-arrested_HR-Day_Jubi.jpg)

### Table of arbitrarily detained students in Sentani on 10 December 2024
## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** December 10, 2024
- **End Date:** December 10, 2024
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** December 10, 2024 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** - Polsek Sentani
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -2.5634323645873, 140.52724862437
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-2.5634323645873,140.52724862437
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Papua Province (Province) > Jayapura Regency (Regency) > Sentani (District)
  - **Region 2:** Indonesia (Country) > Papua (Province) > Jayapura Regency (Regency) > Sentani (District)

## Victims
**Total number of victims:** 16

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Sadrak Lagowan, student | 20 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Kenias Payage, student | 24 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Wahyu Heluka, student | 24 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Maikel Siep, student | 21 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Beddy Mallo, student | 17 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Manu Hisage, student | 16 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Agus Deal, student | 17 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Yanto Mirin, student | 18 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Lukas Deal, student | 19 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Aluri Wandik, student | 17 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Tepanus Mallo, student | 19 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Nasman Mallo, student | 17 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Yosia Meklu, student | 14 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Pilatus Lokon, student | 23 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Lukas Wisal, student | 19 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
| 1 person | Temanus Deal, student | 21 years (exact) | male | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |

## Perpetrators
**Perpetrator Category Paths:**
- **Category 1:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police

- **Perpetrator Description:** unknown