Cases

Cases of human rights violations

Wamena, Jayawijaya – 23 KNPB members arrested on 8 Dec. while promoting human rights day commemorations

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.

Jayapura city – five protestors arrested and nine ill-treated during human rights day commemorations

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.

Wamena, Jayawijaya – 30 activists arrested during human rights days commemorations

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.

Sentani, Jayapura Regency – 52 protestors arrested and 5 ill-treated, during human rights day commemorations

On 10 December 2022, dozens of police officers blocked protesters at the Pos 7 intersection and prevented them from walking along the main road to Jayapura City. KNPB activists tried negotiating with the police to continue their way to Jayapura. At 7.50 am, the police dispersed the crowd and reportedly arrested 52 protesters. Human rights observers managed to document the names of only 42. Five protesters, namely Mrs Agustina Kobak, Mr Zeth Matuan, Mr Insu Siep, Mr Nodi Tepmul and Mr Frengky Kogoya, sustained injuries due to excessive police violence. All protesters were loaded in trucks and brought to the Jayapura district police station in Doyo Baru for interrogation.

Security force members open fire at crowd in Mappi Regency – one dead, at least eight persons injured

Security forces opened fire at a crowd of indigenous Papuans, as they were passing a Military Special Forces (Kopassus) Post. At least, nine persons were injured during the incident, among them two minors. The Papuan human rights coalition called upon the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to conduct a timely and thorough investigation into the case. The Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) declared that police officers opened fire at the crowd because the crowd attacked them during an attempt to prevent clashes between conflict parties. The claim contradicts the findings of the investigation by the Papuan human rights coalition.

Jayapura – ill-treatment of Papuan students protesting against the G20 summit

On 16 November 2022, hundreds of students followed the call by the Executive Student Body (BEM) and held peaceful demonstrations against the G20 summit at the Cenderawasih University campuses in Abepura and Waena, as well as at the USTJ Campus. Around 11.00 am, the police dispersed the peaceful protests with water cannons and tear gas. Police officers with rubber batons and shields attacked students and arrested seven student leaders at the UNCEN campus in Abepura.

Denpasar, Bali – ill-treatment of Papuan students protesting against the G20 summit

Papuan students in Bali carried out peaceful demonstrations against the G20 summit, which Indonesia hosted in Bali on 15 and 16 November 2022. Members of nationalist groups attacked members of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) as they wanted to leave their dormitory to protest against the international event peacefully. Six students suffered injuries after being attacked with stones and bamboo sticks.

Manokwari, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to peaceful flag-raising ceremony

On 27 November 2022, dozens of indigenous Papuans came together to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the independent state of West Papua New Guinea on 27 November 1997. They gathered at the Wosi Terminal. Protesters raised Morning Star flags and flags of other countries, including the Netherlands, the United States of America and New Zealand. Around 12.30 pm, joint security forces dispersed the peaceful protest and seized the flags.

Kaimana, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to flag-raising ceremony

Police officers arrested twelve indigenous Papuans in the Kaimana, Kaimana Regency, on 27 November 2022. Dozens of indigenous Papuans had come together to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the independent state of West Papua New Guinea on 27 November 1997. The crowd raised Morning Star Flags and flags of the European Union, the United States of America and New Zealand. The arrested four elderly and eight young Papuans were detained Station for interrogation by the Kaimana District Police.

Police officers torture Mr Yontinus Kogoya in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency

On 31 October 2022, joint security force members arrested Mr Yontinus Kogoya in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, and subsequently tortured him. According to information received from the Papuan Foundation for Justice and Human Integrity (YKKMP), police officers shot Mr Kogoya’s left leg as he attempted to escape the arrest. Thereupon, police officers handcuffed him and brought him to the nearby forest, where they tied both legs together before shooting both of his knees from close range.

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.