On 3 August 2026, Indonesian police forces repeatedly blocked and dispersed a peaceful demonstration organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at several locations in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. The protest, held under the theme “Papua: a Military and Humanitarian Emergency Zone”, began at approximately 06:00 am and formed part of simultaneous KNPB demonstrations across West Papua and several other Indonesian cities. Jayapura-based human rights groups identified 33 protesters reportedly sustained injuries as a result of excessive police violence during the crackdown in Sentani, including blows to protesters’ heads, backs, arms, hands and legs during the dispersals.
According to the information received, demonstrators began gathering at eight locations across Sentani, including Pasar Lama, Jalan Sosial, Pasar Baru, Kemiri, Pos 7, Sabron, Sereh and Toladan. Police officers reportedly began dispersing participants at Pasar Lama at approximately 06:45, before blocking or pushing back groups at several other gathering points throughout the morning. Hundreds of protesters subsequently converged around Pos 7, where the demonstration continued before further dispersal operations took place.
Police officers dispersed protesters using rubber batons, sticks, and tactical vehicles, preventing demonstrators from carrying out a planned march towards the Jayapura Regent’s Office at Gunung Merah. Journalists reportedly heard several warning shots during the operation Protesters dispersed or attempted to evade pursuing officers (see videos below, source: independent HRDs and KNPB). Two participants were taken into custody and transported in a police crowd-control vehicle. Police had announced before the demonstration that approximately 1,000 joint TNI–police personnel would be deployed. Jayapura Police Chief Commissioner Dionisius Vox Dei Paron Helan had also stated before the protest that the police would not “permit” the KNPB demonstration because the organisation was not officially registered at the National Unity and Politics Agency (KESBANGPOL).
The dispersal also affected journalists covering the demonstration. Jubi journalist Silpester Kasipka reported that a police officer struck his mobile telephone while he was photographing officers attempting to place a protester inside a crowd-control vehicle on Ifar Gunung Road. A police officer had attacked Mr Kasipka, cracking the device’s screen despite identifying himself as a journalist. The Papua Journalists’ Association (AWP) and Jubi condemned the incident and called for an investigation. Following the incident, Commissioner Dionisius Vox Dei Paron Helan subsequently apologised publicly and stated that he would assume responsibility if an officer had caused damage to the journalist’s equipment.
Human rights analysis
The events raise serious concerns regarding freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, protection from arbitrary detention and the use of force by law enforcement officials. Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects peaceful assemblies, while Articles 19 and 9 protect freedom of expression and liberty and security of person.
The available documentation does not establish whether organisers complied with the domestic requirement to notify police in advance. However, under the UN Human Rights Committee’s General Comment No. 37, failure to comply with notification requirements does not by itself remove an assembly from the protection of Article 21 or justify forceful dispersal and detention. Authorities must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and dispersal should remain exceptional.
Any force used during an assembly must meet the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and non-discrimination. International standards require officers to exhaust non-violent means wherever possible, and only the minimum force necessary may be used. Video recordings showing police officers beating peaceful protesters without obvious reason raise serious concerns regarding lawful police conduct during the Sentani protest on 3 August 2026. Allegations of police officers beating participants should therefore be independently investigated, together with the circumstances and legal basis of the reported arrests.
The alleged interference with a journalist while covering the demonstration raises additional concerns under Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press and international standards protecting journalists. General Comment No. 37 specifically recognises the importance of journalists monitoring assemblies and states that they should not face harassment or have their equipment confiscated or damaged, even where an assembly is being dispersed. Accordingly, the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) should conduct a transparent investigation into the reported use of force by members of the Jayapura District Police, clarify the legal basis and duration of all detentions, ensure remedies for persons unlawfully injured or detained, and investigate the alleged interference with journalistic work.
Table of 33 protesters who sustained injuries as a result of police violence in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, on 3 August 2026
| No | Name | Age | Location | Reported violence / injury |
| 1 | Nelson Singpangki | 21 | Pasar Lama | Struck on the hand |
| 2 | Welis Tabo | 17 | Pasar Lama | Struck on the hand |
| 3 | Agus Passe | 19 | Pasar Lama | Struck on the thigh |
| 4 | Holim Yanto | 22 | Pasar Lama | Struck on the hand |
| 5 | Erik Kwen | N/A | Jalan Sosial | Struck on the hand |
| 6 | Boas Salowala | 20 | Jalan Sosial | Struck on the head, shoulder and right thigh |
| 7 | Ruben Ebukin | N/A | Jalan Sosial | Struck on the head, causing bleeding |
| 8 | Ecko Passe | 25 | Kemiri | Struck on the hand, resulting in swelling/a lump |
| 9 | Edison Molama | 23 | Kemiri | Sustained blows with a rubber truncheon to the left finger, shoulder and head |
| 10 | Sabatina Lokon | 22 | Kemiri | Struck on the back/spine, resulting in swelling |
| 11 | Depianus Passe | 30 | Kemiri | Struck on the thigh |
| 12 | Insos Lokon | 21 | Kemiri | Struck on the arm, reportedly causing swelling |
| 13 | Toni Esema | 25 | Kemiri | Struck on the hand, reportedly causing swelling |
| 14 | Kaphakan Taplo | 23 | Toladan | Listed among victims of police beatings; specific injury not stated |
| 15 | Pamius Tabuni | 23 | Toladan | Struck on the left temple with a rubber baton |
| 16 | Zet Taplo | 25 | Toladan | Struck on the hand |
| 17 | Roniel Mirin | 21 | STT Walter, Pos 7 | Struck on the back |
| 18 | Ika Kalakmabin | 21 | Pasar Baru exit road | Struck on the right finger with a rubber truncheon |
| 19 | Jefferson Uopmabin | 19 | Pasar Baru exit road | Struck on the head with a rubber truncheon |
| 20 | Yustinus Wisal | 23 | Pasar Baru exit road, Sentani | Struck on the head with a rubber truncheon |
| 21 | Kiri Keroman | 27 | Jalan Sosial | Struck on the right shoulder |
| 22 | Serli Taplo | 20 | Pojok | Beaten and knocked to the ground, sustaining abrasions to the left knee and toes |
| 23 | Doki Uropmanin | 20 | Pojok | Struck on the back of the head with a blunt object and on the shoulder |
| 24 | Epanus Mallo | N/A | Pasar Baru exit road | Struck on the back of the head, shoulder and back |
| 25 | Nasman Mallo | 19 | Pasar Baru exit road | Struck on the back and body with a rubber truncheon |
| 26 | Kele Weipsa | 37 | Pojok Sentani | Arrested by police during the protest; subsequent information indicated that he remained in police custody following the demonstration |
| 27 | Detus Taime | 23 | Toladan | Reported arrested during the protest; subsequent information on his detention or release was not available |
| 28 | Wes Tabuni | N/A | Pos 7 Sentani | Was beaten with a stick on the lower back |
| 29 | Kopik Kwen | 21 | Sosial Sentani | Suatained cut on the head after being beaten with a baton |
| 30 | Yanes Milu | 23 | Sosial Sentani | Suatained cut on the head after being beaten with a baton |
| 31 | Mendanus Wisal | 21 | Yahim Sentani | was beaten to the head |
| 32 | Alpina Deal | 17 | Yahim Sentani | was beaten to the lower back |
| 33 | Samen Tepmul | 17 | Yahim Sentani | was beaten to the back |
| No | Name | Age | Location | Reported violence / injury |
| 1 | Nelson Singpangki | 21 | Pasar Lama, Sentani, Jayapura Regency | Struck on the hand |
| 2 | Welis Tabo | 17 | Pasar Lama, Sentani, Jayapura Regency | Struck on the hand |
| 3 | Agus Passe | 19 | Pasar Lama, Sentani, Jayapura Regency | Struck on the thigh |
| 4 | Holim Yanto | 22 | Pasar Lama | Struck on the hand |
| 5 | Edison Molama | 23 | Kemiri, Sentani | Struck in the back/spinal area, reportedly causing serious injury |
| 6 | Ecko Passe | 25 | Kemiri, Sentani | Struck on the hand, resulting in swelling/a lump |
| 7 | Sabatina Lokon | 22 | Kemiri, Sentani | Struck on the back, resulting in swelling |
| 8 | Depianus Passe | 30 | Kemiri, Sentani | Struck on the thigh |
| 9 | Insos Lokon | 21 | Kemiri, Sentani | Struck on the arm, reportedly causing swelling |
| 10 | Toni Esema | 25 | Kemiri, Sentani | Struck on the hand, reportedly causing swelling |
| 11 | Kaphakan Taplo | 23 | Toladan, Sentani | Specific injury not stated |
| 12 | Pamius Tabuni | 23 | Toladan, Sentani | Reportedly shot near the temple/eye area, sustaining serious injury |
| 13 | Zet Taplo | 25 | Toladan, Sentani | Struck on the hand |
| 14 | Ruben Ebukin | Approx. 20 | Sosial, Sentani | Struck on the head, causing bleeding |
| 15 | Kopik Kwen | Approx. 21 | Sosial, Sentani | Struck on the head, causing bleeding |
| 16 | Yanes Milu | Approx. 23 | Sosial, Sentani | Struck on the head, causing bleeding |
| 17 | Erik Kwen | Approx. 20 | Sosial, Sentani | Struck on the hand |
| 18 | Ika Kalakmabin | 21 | Pasar Baru exit road, Sentani | Struck on the right finger with a hard-rubber baton |
| 19 | Jefferson Uopmabin | 19 | Pasar Baru exit road, Sentani | Struck on the head with a hard-rubber baton |
| 20 | Yustunus Wisal | 23 | Pasar Baru exit road, Sentani | Struck on the head with a hard-rubber baton |
| 21 | Kiri Keroman | 27 | Jalan Sosial, Sentani | Struck on the right shoulder |
| 22 | Serli Taplo | 20 | Pojok, Sentani | Beaten and knocked to the ground, sustaining abrasions to the left leg, knee and toes |
| 23 | Boas Salawala | 20 | Entrance to Jalan Sosial, Sentani | Struck on the head, shoulder and right thigh |
| 24 | Doki Uropmabin | 20 | Pojok, Sentani | Struck on the back of the head with a blunt object and on the shoulder |
| 25 | Mendanus Wisal | 21 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck on the head |
| 26 | Nasman Mallo | 19 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck on the shoulder |
| 27 | Evanus Mallo | 22 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck on the head |
| 28 | Ipenus Kwem | 18 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck on the hand |
| 29 | Alpina Deal | 17 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck in the spinal/back area |
| 30 | Samen Tepmul | 17 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck on the back |
| 31 | Yupen Koga | 17 | Yahim, Sentani | Struck in the spinal/back area |
| 32 | Roniel Mirin | 21 | Pos 7, Sentani | Struck on the back |
| 33 | Wes Tabuni | N/A | Pos 7, Sentani | Struck on the back; name reportedly not yet confirmed |
Police officers dispersed KNPB protesters in Sentani, beating them with rubber batons, 3 August 2026
Injuries sustained by protesters during forceful dispersal of the peaceful KNPB demonstration by police personnel in Sentani on 3 August 2026
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-109-2026
Location: Sentani Kota, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-2.5685926, 140.5238784) Various locations across Sentani town
Region: Indonesia > Papua > Jayapura Regency > Sentani
Total number of victims: 33
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Nelson Singpangki
male
21
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
2.
1
Welis Tabo
male
17
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
3.
1
Agus Passe
male
19
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
4.
1
Holim Yanto
male
22
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
5.
1
Edison Molama
diverse
23
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
6.
1
Ecko Passe
male
25
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
7.
1
Sabatina Lokon
female
22
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
8.
1
Depianus Passe
male
30
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
9.
1
Insos Lokon
female
21
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
10.
1
Toni Esema
male
25
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
11.
1
Kaphakan Taplo
diverse
23
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
12.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
13.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
14.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
15.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
16.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
17.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
18.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
19.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
20.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
21.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
22.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
23.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
24.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
25.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
26.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
ill-treatment
27.
1
diverse
unknown
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
28.
1
diverse
0
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
29.
1
diverse
0
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
30.
1
diverse
adult
Activist
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
31.
1
Kele Weipsa
diverse
unknown
Activist
arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly
32.
1
Dettus Taime
diverse
unknown
Activist
arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly
33.
1
Wes Tabuni
diverse
unknown
Student
freedom of assembly, ill-treatment
Perpetrators:
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > Mobile Brigades (BRIMOB)
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polres Jayapura members
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violenceRelated Cases:
Arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of five Papuans at Old Sentani Market in Jayapura Regency
Arbitrary detention of three Papuan youth at Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency
Arrests and torture of KNPB members in Sentani - 21 arrested and 16 tortured
Police arrest 30 protesters demanding justice for Victor Yeimo in Sentani, Jayapura Regency
Police detain KNPB activists distributing leaflets in Sentani Town – One minor ill-treated
Police prevent peaceful protests against torture in Sentani and Jayapura City - at least two activists ill-treated and injured in Jayapura on 2 April
Police prevent peaceful protests against torture in Sentani and Jayapura City – 77 activists arrested in Sentani on 1 and 2 April
Jayapura Police intimidate, arbitrarily detain, and ill-treat peaceful political activists in Sentani
Eight KNPB activists were arrested in Sentani
Sentani, Jayapura Regency - 52 protestors arrested and 5 ill-treated, during human rights day commemorations