Human Rights News

Six police officers intimidated and arbitrarily arrested the Papuan activist and chairman of West Papua National Parliament (PNWP), Mr Buchtar Tabuni, and seven activists of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in his house in Jayapura on 24 March 2022. Mr Tabuni and one activist were reportedly ill-treated during arrest. All were released the same day in the late evening.

Police officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful protest by students of the Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) in Jayapura on 8 March 2022. The students voiced their aspirations against Jakarta’s plan to establish four additional provinces in West Papua, and also demanded the withdrawal of non-organic military personnel from West Papua.
According to information received from Jayapura student groups, police officers ill-treated at least 14 students. dispersed the crowd. Ten protesters were arrested and detained at the Abepura sub-district police station.

Security force personnel reportedly tortured five minors in the Sinak District, Puncak Regency, on 22 February 2022. One of the children succumbed to his injuries, while the others were brought to the Mimika regency for medical treatment. Security forces accused the children of stealing a firearm belonging to a military officer. They tortured them before and during detention at the local police station. Thirteen-year-old Makilon Tabuni died on 24 February 2022 due the injuries sustained during the torture.

Eight Papuan activists: Malvin Yobe, Devio Tekege, Ambros Elopere, Maksi You, Paul Sode Hilapok, Luis Sitok, Ernesto Matuan, and Melvin Waine were arrested for raising the Morning Star flag in front of the sports hall (GOR) in Jayapura on 1 December 2021. The police charged the activists with Articles 106 KUHP on treason and Article 110 KUHP on criminal conspiracy against the state. On 30 January 2022, the police extended the period of detention for another 30 days. Prior to the arrest, Melvin Yobe was undergoing a pulmonary treatment program, while Sode Hilapok was suffering from hemorrhoids. Their health condition of Mr Malvin Yobe and Mr Paul Sode reportedly deteriorated in late January 2022. Mr Hilapok was once permitted to see a doctor while Mr Yobe has not yet received any medical treatment. The trial started at the Jayapura District Court in April 2022 but the first court hearing was adjourned. The trial has finally started on 17 May 2022.
On 29 August 2022, judges at the Jayapura District Court found the eight men guilty of treason as regulated under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP). Previously, the public prosecutor demanded a sentence of one year while the lawyers had pleaded for acquittal for the defendants.

On 7 January 2022, military members allegedly tortured a fisherman for seven hours in a post at the Sumuraman Village, in the Minyamur District of Mappi Regency. The following day, AMS was admitted to the local health centre and later transferred to the Mappi public hospital because he had difficulties breathing. Relatives filed a complaint to the Mappi District Police against the military personnel on 11 January.

Military personnel allegedly ill-treated a group of civilians inside a karaoke bar in the Samkai village, Merauke regency, on 15 January 2022. According to CNN Indonesia, one officer was intoxicated and attacked a guest who allegedly recorded him with his mobile phone. Other bar clients dragged the military officer outside. As retaliation, four other officers ill-treated multiple guests inside the bar. The spokesperson of the XVII Cenderawasih military command stated that the conflict parties agreed to settle the case outside of the law.

Papuan pastor, Rev Elisa Kalakmabin has allegedly been missing since 12 January 2022. He was arbitrarily arrested and detained at the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) post in the Serambakon District on 12 January. Police officers reportedly found 20 million rupiahs (around 1200 EUR) and airgun bullets on him. The police claim he escaped from the post. However, a witness claims that he heard multiple gunshots coming from the post. So far, neither the sub-district police in Serambakon nor the Pegunungan Bintang district police has provided further information about Rev Kalamabin’s whereabouts.

In September 2021, three palm oil companies files a lawsuit against the Regent of Sorong Mr Johnny Kamuru for revoking their operational licenses in April 2021. The court ruled on 12 January 2022 that the regent acted according to law and that 34,400 hectares of customary land must be returned to the indigenous land rights holders in the districts Salawati, Klamono, and Segun.