Police officers arrested four political activists in the Papuan city of Jayapura on 17 October 2022. All are members of the Provisional Government Council formed by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) under the lead of transitional president, Mr Benny Wenda. Among the arrested activist is Mr Buchtar Tabuni, the chairman of the interim council, as well as the provisional Minister for Political Affairs, Mr Bazoka Logo, and the provisional Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Iche Murib. Another Papuan activist named Mr Simion Surabut Alua was reportedly arrested as well.
Dozens of fully equipped officers of the Police Mobile Brigade special unit came to Buchtar Tabuni´s house in the Permunas III residential area in Waena around 10.00 am (see photo below, source: independent HRDs), where the activists had come together for an annual ULMWP meeting. According to Buchtar Tabuni the police officers entered his house, searched his room and arrested him and the other activists without showing a warrant. The officers allegedly seized Mr Tabuni’s mobile phone during the police operation. They brought the activists to the Jayapura municipality police station, where they were temporarily detained and interrogated (see photo below, source: independent HRDs). All were released without criminal charges after the interrogation.
The Jayapura Police chief, Commissioner Victor D Mackbon, declared in an interview that the police consider the meeting at Mr Tabuni’s house as illegal, arguing the meeting agenda is contrary to the Indonesian state ideology.
Arrest and interrogation at the Jayapura Police headquarters
Detailed Case Data
Location: Waena
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Jayapura
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura
Total number of victims: 4
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Buchtar Tabuni
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention
2.
1
Bazoka Logo
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention
3.
1
Iche Murib
female
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention
4.
1
Simion Surabut
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples, Activist
freedom of assembly, arbitrary detention
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: Police Mobile Brigade special unit
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples