Cases

Cases of human rights violations

Police officer torture Mr Hermanus Waragan in Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency

Police officers tortured Mr Hermanus Waragan in the town of Tanah Merah in the Boven Digoel Regency, Papua Province, on 15 October 2022. Shortly before the incident, residents had filed a complaint regarding the disturbance of public order by an intoxicated person to the police. The officers jumped out of their patrol car, accusing Mr Waragen of disturbing public order, and immediately tortured him while asking him what he was doing in Meranti.

Mukomuko police arrest at least 47 farmers within six months in Bengkulu – land conflict with PT DDP

The Mukomuko Resort Police have arrested at least 47 farmers from Malin Deman Sub-district, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province, within six months, from May to October 2022. The police often accuse the farmers who are members of the Association of Farmers Fighters Bumi Sejahtera (Perkumpulan Petani Pejuang Bumi Sejahtera/PPPBS) of stealing palm fruit belonging to PT Daria Darma Pratama (PT DDP and ignore the land conflict between PT DDP and the farmers. The police repeatedly made arbitrary arrests, detained the farmers without sufficient evidence, ill-treated them, and obstructed their right to meet with their lawyers.

Labour activists in Makassar charged with criminal coercion

On 19 September 2022, members of the National Workers Union (SPN) of Makassar City and the Makassar People’s Struggle Alliance held a demonstration at the South Sulawesi Regional Police Headquarters. This action was carried out in response to classifying nine labourers as suspects in a coercion case. The management of PT WIKA BETON had reported them through police report Number: LPB/346/IV/2022/SPKT Polda Sulsel on 28 April 2022.

Makassar Police arrest and torture a man – he dies shortly after

The Makassar Police Drug Unit arrested Muh Arfandi Ardiansyah on 15 May 2022 on Jl Rappokalling, Makassar, South Sulawesi Province. Muh Arfandi Ardiansyah was found dead the same day, sometime after being arrested. The police accused him of being a drug dealer but later amended their statement, saying that Arfandi had not been a drug dealer. Arfandi’s body was full of bruises, and several bones were broken, indicating that Arfandi had been a victim of torture by the police.

Attempted criminalisation of Papuan political activists in Sentani – Police officers search house without warrant

Police officers reportedly searched the house of Papuan political activist, Mr Steven Itlay, in the town of Sentani without warrant on 23 October 2022. The officers later claimed that the search was related to a stolen motorcycle after they could not find any incriminating evidence at Mr Itlay’s house. He understood the police operation as an act of intimidation and an attempt to criminalise him for his engagement in political work.

Man dies during detention at Empat Lawang, South Sumatra with signs of torture – Police allegedly asked key witness to lie

On 22 June 2022, 28-years old Ari Putra died in the custody of the Empat Lawang Resort Police, South Sumatra Province, a few hours after being arrested. Ari Putra was arrested with his friend Bayu Anggara on Tuesday night, 21 June 2022, at around 10 pm. Based on the results of the post-mortem, Ari was declared dead because he suffered bruises on the back of the head and face and swollen right cheekbone. Police said that Ari Putra died because fellow prisoners mistreated him. However, the family suspects the involvement of the Empat Lawang police officer. 

Trenggalek People’s Alliance personally demand the government revoke PT Summer Mineral Nusantara’s mine permit in East Java

Thirty-nine Trenggalek People’s Alliance representatives arrived in Jakarta on 23 October 2022. They travelled from Trenggelek district in East Java province to Jakarta to convey the residents’ rejection of the PT Sumber Mineral Nusantara (SMN) gold mine due to environmental considerations and disasters, especially floods that are getting worse in Trenggalek. Most of the water comes from the mining area.

Man dies with signs of torture during detention in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan

A 31-year-old man called Subhan died on 10 June 2022 after eight days of detention by the Banjarmasin Police Drug Crimes Unit. Subhan was arrested at his home in Pekapuran B, Perkapuran Laut Village, Central Banjarmasin Subdistrict, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan Province, on 3 June 2022, on suspicion of distributing methamphetamine. Signs of violence on Subhan’s body indicated that the police had tortured him. 

More than 4o people arbitrarily arrested by North Sulawesi Police during an eviction in Kalasey Dua village

On 7 November 2022, joint forces of Manado City Police and North Sulawesi Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) forcibly evicted the people of Kalasey Village, Mandolang District, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province. The eviction was carried out under the escort of at least 100 members of Manado Police consisting of Sabhara, Polwan, Brimob and Resmob units, and at least 40 members of North Sulawesi Satpol PP.

Bima Polres arrest 10 students who were protesting and demanding a road repair

On 12 May 2022, ten demonstrators who were members of the Monta Student Alliance were allegedly arbitrarily arrested and detained by the Bima Resort Police (Polres). The protest, which lasted for four days, demanded repairing roads in Waro village, Monta district, in the southern coastal area of Bima Regency. The first protest took place on 9 May, and it caused no reaction from the government regarding road reparations. Therefore, the students protested on 10,11 and 12 May. On the last day, the demonstration was more significant, and police and TNI were present to forcibly dispersed the crowd.

After 23 years Simpang KKA victims still wait for justice – Past serious human rights violations remain unsolved

The Communication Forum for Victims and Families of Victims of the Simpang KKA Tragedy (FK3T-SP.KKA), supported by Persatuan Pemuda Simpang KAA (the Simpang KKA Youth Association) and Lembaga El Mansur Peduli (the El Mansur Care Institute) commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the Simpang KKA (Junction KKA) Tragedy in Dewantara District, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province on 3 May 2022. In addition to the grave pilgrimage of the martyrs of the Simpang KKA tragedy, they stood in silence at the Simpang KKA monument. A joint prayer was also held at the Ta’lim Assembly Hall in Simpang KKA Hamlet, Paloh Lada.

Violence and arrests in Wada village, Central Java – Residents are against government’s mining operations

On 8 February 2022, around 250 joint military and police officers surrounded Wadas Village, Bener District, Purworejo Regency, Central Java Province. Wadas is currently a controversial spot since the government has mining plans in the village, which the villagers oppose. The joint, military and police action soon led to a violent clash with the residents. The authorities ill-treated and arbitrarily arrested dozens.  They were detained at the Purworejo Resort Police Station until 9 February.

Company PTPN III tries to evict 250 families in Gurila village, Permatangsiantar – land conflict since 2004

In October 2022, the company PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (PTPN III), represented by 300 people and 500 police officers, tried to evict 250 peasant families with a land area of 126 hectares in Gurila Village, Siantar Sitalasari District, Pamatangsiantar City, North Sumatra Province. From 2004 until 2020, PTPN III abandoned its concession land. Peasants who are members of the Forum Tani Sejahtera Indonesia (FUTASI), which is a member of the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA), have been reclaiming the former HGU (right to cultivate) land of PTPN III since 2004.

Human cage in Langkat Regent’s home in North Sumatra – at least 656 victims of slavery and torture

The existence of a human cage in the Regent of Langkat, Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin, was revealed to the public when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on 19 January 2022 raided the Regent’s house in connection with an alleged bribery case. During the raid, the KPK discovered the existence of a human cage and saw people in the cages. There were 65 people detained in human cages. Some had been there for one year, some for more years. The longest time was five years. All of them had their hair shaved off. Some of them were injured.

Criminalisation of activists in East Kalimantan – Conflict with mining company CV SSP

The coal mining company CV Sangasanga Perkasa (SSP) accused two activists named Zainuri and Dasidua of obstructing the company’s mining activities. The two men are residents of RT 24, Sangasanga urban village, Sangasanga District, Kutai Kertanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. Based on the police report, the Subdit for Specific Crimes (Subtipiter) of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreserse) of East Kalimantan Police summoned Zainuri and Dasidua on 28 March 2022 to question them regarding the obstruction of coal mining activities.

West Tanjungkarang Police arbitrarily detain and torture a PT Sindex Express driver in Bandar Lampung

On 4 January 2022, at around 4 pm, Arsiman was picked up by his friend with the initials P, who also worked as a driver at PT Sindex Express in Bandar Lampung, Lampung Province. Then, Arsiman was invited by P to a garage owned by PT Sindex Express in Bandar Lampung. At around 7 pm, Arsiman contacted his wife, Dartini. Arsiman told his wife that he was interrogated in the garage. After that, the phone was switched off. Arsiman did not return home.