# Police disperse peaceful protest in Sentani amid reports of beatings – 33 protesters injured as a result of excessive police violence **Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org) **Document ID:** HRM-CAS-109-2026 **Document Type:** Case **Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/police-disperse-peaceful-protest-in-sentani-amid-reports-of-beatings-27-protesters-injured-as-a-result-of-excessive-police-violence/ **Issues:** indigenous peoples | security force violence **Publication Date:** August 10, 2026 **Last Updated:** October 1, 2026 **Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua ## Summary 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. ## Detailed Case Narrative 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](https://papua.antaranews.com/berita/766412/polresta-jayapura-kota-tidak-keluarkan-izin-demo-knpb-pada-3-agustus-2026). [Jayapura Police Chief Commissioner Dionisius Vox Dei Paron Helan had also stated before the protest that the police would not “permit” the KNPB demonstration](https://regional.kompas.com/read/2026/07/31/134041878/kapolres-tak-beri-izin-knpb-demo-di-jayapura-organisasinya-tak-tercatat) 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](https://jubi.id/mamta/2026/polisi-diduga-rusak-hp-jurnalis-jubi-saat-meliput-demonstrasi-knpb/) 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](https://suarapapua.com/2026/08/03/awp-dan-jubi-tuntut-penegakan-hukum-atas-intimidasi-jurnalis-di-sentani/). 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)](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/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 Singpanki 21 Pasar Lama, Sentani, Jayapura Regency Struck on the hand 2 Wellis 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 Yustinus 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 Serlly 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 Mailo 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 Ika Kalakmabin 17 Yahim, Sentani Struck in the spinal/back area 30 Alex 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 ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-25-768x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-26-771x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-27-771x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28-771x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-29-1.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-29.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_002-771x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_003-771x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_004-1024x771.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_006-771x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_008-461x1024.jpg) ![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_002.jpg) ## Incident Period & Location - **Start Date:** August 3, 2026 - **End Date:** August 3, 2026 - **Period Type:** Single Day - **Reference Date:** August 3, 2026 (used for chronological ordering) - **Location:** Sentani Kota, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Indonesia - Various locations across Sentani town - **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -2.5685926, 140.5238784 - **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-2.5685926,140.5238784 - **Administrative Regions:** - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Papua (Province) > Jayapura Regency (Regency) > Sentani (District) ## Victims **Total number of victims:** 33 | Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations | |-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------| | 1 person | Nelson Singpangki | 21 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Welis Tabo | 17 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Agus Passe | 19 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Holim Yanto | 22 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Edison Molama | 23 years (exact) | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Ecko Passe | 25 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Sabatina Lokon | 22 years (exact) | female | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Depianus Passe | 30 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Insos Lokon | 21 years (exact) | female | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Toni Esema | 25 years (exact) | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Kaphakan Taplo | 23 years (exact) | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | unknown | diverse | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | exact | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | exact | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | [Name unknown] | adult | male | Activist | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | | 1 person | Kele Weipsa | unknown | male | Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression | | 1 person | Dettus Taime | unknown | male | Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression | | 1 person | Wes Tabuni | unknown | male | Student | freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment | ## Perpetrators **Perpetrator Category Paths:** - **Category 1:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > Mobile Brigades (BRIMOB) - **Category 2:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > POLRES - **Perpetrator Description:** Polres Jayapura members ## Media Documentation [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-13-04-032_003](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-13-04-032_003.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_002](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_002.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_005](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_005.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_003](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_003.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_004](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_004.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_003](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_003.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_005](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_005.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_004](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_004.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-25](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-25.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-29-1](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-29-1.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-29](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-29.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_009](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_009.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-27](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-27.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_006](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_006.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28-2](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28-2.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_007](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_007.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-27-1](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-27-1.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_010](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_010.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28-1](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28-1.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-28.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_008](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_008.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-26](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-26.jpg) [Image: PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-26-1](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PHOTO-2026-08-04-09-23-26-1.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_002](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-06-25-951_002.jpg) [Image: signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_005](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/signal-2026-08-03-16-08-12-076_005-1.jpg) [Video: Police beat protesters_Sentani_KNPB Demo_Aug'26](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Police-beat-protesters_Sentani_KNPB-Demo_Aug26.mp4) [Video: Police crackdown_Pasar Sentani_3Aug'26](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Police-crackdown_Pasar-Sentani_3Aug26.mp4) [Video: VIDEO-2026-08-04-15-30-41-1](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VIDEO-2026-08-04-15-30-41-1.mp4) ## Related Cases - 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