Three police officers torture Papuan villager during custody at Demta Police Station -

Officers of the Demta Sub-district Police detained 30-yea-old Agustinus Burame in the Demta District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, on 4 May 2026. While held in police custody, he was allegedly beaten by three police officers, sustaining serious injuries to his head and body (see photos below, source: independent HRD). The reported torture resulted in a laceration to the centre of his head requiring six stitches, bruising to the back of his right shoulder, swelling and injuries to both knees, and bruising to both hands. He was released without charges later that day.

Mr Burame and his family have demanded that the three police officers allegedly responsible be held accountable through criminal proceedings, as well as through police internal disciplinary and ethics mechanisms. They have also requested legal support from legal aid organisations in Papua to monitor the legal process and ensure that the case is handled transparently and in accordance with applicable law.

Human rights analysis

The above-described allegations raise serious concerns regarding the treatment of persons deprived of liberty and the use of violence by law enforcement officials. Under international human rights law, police officers are obliged to protect detainees from torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Any use of force against a person in custody must be strictly lawful, necessary, proportionate and subject to effective oversight.

The physical abuse of suspects during police custody may amount to torture. Such practices are strictly prohibited under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention Against Torture (CAT), which Indonesia has both ratified.