Cases of human rights violations
Joint Security forces shot dead Enius Tabuni during a fire fight with members of the the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Yenggernok Village, Puncak Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 22 March 2023
Indonesian security forces raided the village of Pamebut, Yugumuak District, in the early morning of 3 March 2023, killing one indigenous woman and injuring eight other villagers
Papuan lawyer and human rights defender, Mr Steven Peyon, working for the Sorong Legal Aid Institute (LBH), was assaulted by a dozen unknown perpetrators in front of SD Inpres 46 Elementary School in the Malanu Village, Sorong City, on 29 January 2023.
Joint security forces dispersed a civil unrest in the Sinakma Village, Wamena Town, Jayawijaya Regency, on 23 February 2023. Video material and the high number civilian fatalities strongly indicate that security force members used unnecessary disproportional force to disperse the crowd.
On 21 February 2023, Indonesian navy members tortured the indigenous Papuans, Mr Albertus Kaize, and his brother, Mr Daniel Kaize near the Wogekel Village, Ilwayab District of Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province. Mr Albertus Kaize (32 years) died as result of the injuries
On 21 February 2023, police officers opened fire at Mr Nopelian Egupa (19 years) in the town of Nabire. The officers suspected him of being involved in the theft of motorcycle which occurred shortly before the incident.
Police Mobile Brigade Special Unit tortured Mr Lamek Wayoken (45 years) on 4 February 2023 in front of his house in the Maam Village, Ngguti District, Merauke Regency.
On 18 January 2023, joint security forces carried out raids in the Maybrat Regency, Papua Barat Province, and arrested Mr Aberham Fatem in the Aisa Village.
On 22 January 2023, police officers arbitrarily arrested thirteen activists of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at the old market in Sentani, Jayapura Regency.
A police officer shot dead Mr Yulianus Tebai near Tugomani, a village in Dogiyai Regency, near the border to Nabire Regency, Papua Tengah Province, on 21 January 2023.
Unknown perpetrators have placed a bomb directly in front of a house in Jayapura, Papua Province, owned by Papuan journalist Mr Victor Mambor on 23 January 2023.
The arrest of Papuan Governor, Lukas Enembe, on 10 January 2023 was accompanied by civil unrest in Jayapura, Papua Province. Police officers dispersed the crowd with firearms and teargas. One protester, Mr Ameleki Enumbi, was shot dead. Nine others were reportedly injured.
A police officer and his son were caught on surveillance camera beating up multiple J&T employees in the town of Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, on 8 December 2022. The officer’s son beat at least four employees inside the J&T Express Office. The officer also punched one of the employees who defended himself against the attack and intimidated them with death threats.
Police officers arrested two protesters participating in peaceful commemorations of the 1st of December in Sorong, Papua Barat Province. The protesters had raised Morning Star Flags in public places. The police had increased its presence across Sorong since the early morning hours of 1 December 2022. Police officers arrested two protesters with the initials NY and MI in front of the Ramayana Mall, Klademak 3, where the Papuan Peoples’ Petition (PRP) had organised the peaceful assembly. They dispersed the crowd of about 100 people with teargas after one protester raised a Morning Star Flag.
On 19 December 2022, officers of the Tolikaras District Police opened fire at a group of people who were allegedly trying to attack the police headquarters in Ampera, Karubaga town, Tolkara regency. Four people were wounded and one them died due to the bullet wound.
Eight Papuan activists of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the solidarity groups Indonesian Peoples Front for West Papuan (FRI WP) as well as Liga of Indonesian Students for Democracy (LMID) were arrested near the Jatiland Mall in the city of Ternate on 1 December 2022. Police officers brought Jack (FRI-WP), Hengky (AMP), Dino (AMP), Susan (AMP), Malo (LMID), Kama (LMID), Rino, and Gelombang to the Ternate District Police headquarters for interrogation. All protesters were released without charges at 12:00 am. Police officers reportedly forced the protesters to sign a statement according to which they would refrain from commemorating the 1 December again.
Police officers arbitrarily arrested and tortured two Papuan university students with the initials DT and ET at the Samabusa Harbour in Nabire on 17 December 2022. The police claimed that DT and ET carried illegal firearms. DT and ET were reportedly tortured inside the police car on the way from the harbour to the Nabire District Police Headquarters and again during interrogation at the station.
The police in Wamena tried to prevent a demonstration commemorating Human Rights Day already in the planning stage. On 8 December 2022, police officers in multiple locations arrested 23 members of the West Papua National Coalition (KNPB), a movement organisation promoting the right to self-determination through peaceful action. They were distributing leaflets for the commemoration of Human Rights Day. The activists were shortly detained and interrogated at the Jayawijaya District Police Station.
On 10 December 2022, protesters in Jayapura gathered in multiple locations, namely at the Abepura roundabout, Jayapura University for Science and Technology (USTJ), Expo Waena, and the Cenderawasih University campuses in Abepura and Waena. The police reportedly dispersed the protests with teargas, water cannons, and warning shots. The arrests occurred early in the morning as the activists prepared for the peaceful protest. Dozens of police officers blocked university campuses at UNCEN and USTJ, preventing the protesters from walking to the main road. Nine protesters, namely, Mr Enggel Ap You, Nando Boma, Okto Mote, Yoten Mirin, Hendrik Muyapa, Yabet Degei, Olison Package, and X Dogomo sustained injuries as a result of police violence as officers dispersed the crowd.
After already trying to prevent commemorations from taking place by arresting 23 activists on 10 December 2022, the police arrested again 30 KNPB activists on 10. They were intercepted in three locations in Wamena, namely in Pikhe, Sinakma, and Potikelek, all close to each other. The police arrested the activists around 8.00 am as they were preparing banners at the assembly points.
