A video showing a police officer assaulting Papuan evangelist, Mr John Mabuai, while holding a peaceful oration in front of the Biak Numfor Resort Police Office, Papua Province, has gone viral. Other officers were throwing stones at him. The incident occurred on 12 July 2024 and attracted the attention of the Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Papua. Police authorities declared they would initiate a prompt internal investigation
The video shows a protester delivering a speech with a loudspeaker before being confronted and ill-treated by police officers. The evangelist criticised the police for its lack of responsiveness in resolving cases of theft in Biak. The speech triggered a violent response from the officers.
The Papua Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri, took notice of the incident and instructed the Head of the Professional and Security Division (Propam) of the Papua Police to investigate the matter thoroughly. He also called on Komnas HAM Papua to visit Biak Numfor to conduct an independent investigation and determine the circumstances that led to the confrontation.
In response, the Biak Numfor Police Chief, Commissioner Arie Trestiawan, confirmed that an internal investigation was in progress. Disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved, and further legal actions might follow based on the investigation’s findings. The local police chief emphasized that the police in Biak are open to criticism and public feedback, but insisted that such feedback should be delivered through formal and peaceful channels.
The altercation took place during preparations for a ceremonial event at the police headquarters. The police explained that the unannounced speech by the evangelist disrupted the event, leading to a spontaneous and regrettable reaction from the officers on duty. Officers reprotedlö threw stones at the evangelist during the incident.
Mr Fritz Ramandey, the Head of Komnas HAM Papua, confirmed that the commission had been contacted by the Papua Police Chief to monitor the investigation. While Komnas HAM has not yet decided whether to investigate the incident in Biak, Komnas HAM ensured it would closely follow the internal police investigation led by Propam. The incident has sparked discussions on police conduct and the need for accountability, especially in handling public expressions of dissent.
Video of the ill-treatment in Biak on 12 July 2024
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Biak Numfor Police Station (-1.1762360416918567, 136.0786777151223)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Biak Numfor Regency
total number of victims: dozens
period of incident: 12.07.2024
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, indigenous peoples, ill-treatment
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | John Mabuai | male | unknown | indigenous | freedom of expression, ill-treatment |
