Yahukimo Regency: Police crackdown on protests against new autonomy regions in West Papua, 2 shot dead

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A peaceful demonstration against the formation of new provinces in West Papua took place on 15 March 2022 in Yakuhimo’s largest town Dekai. A heated argument between police personnel and protesters quickly escalated into unrest. The police opened fire indiscriminately at the crowd injuring at least ten protestors. Two of them died due to their injuries, and three were hospitalised at the General Hospital in Dekai. Following the crackdown, police officers reportedly arrested the person registering the protest, Mr Denias Helembo, and several other protesters.

Detailed Case Data
Location: Dekai
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Yahukimo, Dekai
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 11

# Number of Victims Name, Details Gender Age Group Affiliation Violations
1. 1 Yakob Meklok
 male 39 Activist, Indigenous Peoples execution, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
2. 1 Erson Weipsa
 male 18 Activist, Indigenous Peoples execution, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
3. 1 Anton Itlay
 male 23 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
4. 1 Ripen Keroman
 male 20 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
5. 1 Omori Bahabol
 male 22 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
6. 1 Setti Kobak
 male 23 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
7. 1 Lukas Busup
 male 37 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
8. 1 Ance Kaningga
 male 17 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
9. 1 Luki Kobak
 male 21 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
10. 1 Miren Omu
 male 22 Activist, Indigenous Peoples torture, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
11. 1 Denias Helembo
 male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
12. dozens unknown
 unknown unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
Period of incident: 15/03/2022 – 15/03/2022
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police

Perpetrator details: unknown

Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples, women and children