Members of the Police Mobile Brigade Special Unit (Brimob) reportedly raided a residential house in the Eselon IV housing area in the Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, on 31 May 2023 around 3.30 am, and arrested 30-year-old Mr Kelki Giban and 25-year-old Mr Kelkianus Giban without showing a search or arrest warrant. According to the information received, the officers released one shot inside the house and broke five doors. Mr Kelkianus Giban reportedly sustained a bullet injury. The officers did not find evidence of a criminal offence. They seized a mobile phone.
The raid left the relatives in fear. They called upon the police to conduct arrests following the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), according to which police officers must present a warrant at the time of the arrest. The warrant must contain the suspects’ names and information regarding the alleged criminal offence against them.
The police are recently intensifying operations against the West Papua National Liberation Army in Dekai. On 16 May 2023, joint security force members of the Damai Cartenz task force searched several houses and arbitrarily arrested 22 Papuans in Dekai. The operation followed a similar pattern. Likewise, the raid was carried out at 3.00 am, houses were demolished, and arrests were carried out without showing warrants as required under international human rights law and the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
Fotos of the house taken shortly after the police raid in Dekai, 31 May 2023
Detailed Case Data
Location: Eselon IV
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Yahukimo, Dekai
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 2
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Kelki Giban
male
30
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention
2.
1
Kelkianus Giban
male
25
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment, arbitrary detention
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: Brimob
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples