Possible reenactment of transmigration program triggers West Papua-wide protests – Police crackdown on protesters in Jayapura and Nabire

On 15 November 2024, thousands of Papuans went to the streets after the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) called for peaceful Papua-wide demonstrations against the central Government’s plan to relaunch the transmigration program, with West Papua being one of the target areas. Indigenous Papuans are concerned that the influx of population from more developed areas will inevitably contribute to the marginalisation of Papuans, exacerbate land grabbing and exploitation of natural resources instead of bringing benefits for indigenous communities. Many fear a loss of their culture and growing economic competition concerning labour possibilities and entrepreneurship. Besides concerns on transmigration, the protests addressed the conversion of 2 million hectares of customary land for rice field production in the Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province since August 2024, as part of the central government’s Strategic National Projects (PSN) on food security.

The ‘Transmigrasi’ Program envisaged the population transfer from overpopulated Indonesian islands like Java to remote rural areas on a large scale, mainly to West Papua and Kalimantan. It was initiated under Indonesia’s first President Sukarno and later retained under military dictator Suharto. During the Reformation, the program was restructured and downsized.

One day after President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration on 20 October 2024, the minister for Transmigration, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, announced plans to continue transmigration programs in eastern Indonesia, particularly West Papua, to improve the national unity and welfare of the local population. This together with several follow-up statements triggered a public debate in West Papua.

Following the statements, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) called for peaceful demonstrations for the rejection of Jakarta’s transmigration plans across West Papua. Larger protests were held in Jayapura, Nabire, Sorong, Dekai (Yahukimo Regency), and Yalimo, but also in some Indonesian cities outside of West Papua, such as Manado. Police officers in the towns of Jayapura and Nabire reportedly cracked down on protesters using water cannons, tear gas, wooden sticks, and rubber ammunition. According to reports received, 14 protesters were arbitrarily detained, while at least 16 protesters were injured as a result of police violence.

 Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency

Police officers reportedly prevented KNPB activists in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, from distributing leaflets for the demonstration on 13 and 14 November 2024. On 15 November 2024, joint security forces took position at all major roads in Sentani at 5:00 am, checking public transport and private vehicles to prevent protesters from going to meeting points in Jayapura City. The protesters in Jayapura City gathered in various locations. In Expo Waena and the Abepura Roundabout, protesters were forcibly dispersed by the authorities using water cannons, tear gas, wooden sticks, and rubber ammunition around 8:30 am. At least eleven protesters were injured during the crackdown (see table below, source: independent HRDs). The police stopped the peaceful assembly without obvious reason as the KNPB had registered the protest with the police following Indonesian law. Several police officers were wounded as protesters responded throwing stones at the police.

Case information: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/jayapura-possible-reenactment-of-transmigration-program-triggers-west-papua-wide-protests/

Police officers disperse protesters in Jayapura, 15 Nov’24

Nabire Town

The Papuan People’s Front Against Transmigration (FRPAT) officially registered the protest on 12 November, as required under national law. In the early morning of 15 November 2024, protesters gathered peacefully in the Jepara 1 area. AT 8:00 am, police officers dispersed the crowd with teargas and water cannons. Some officers also released gunshots. At least four protesters were injured during the crackdown and 14 protesters were arbitrarily detained at the Nabire District Police Station. The police forced them to sign statements to refrain from joining future political protests or other activities. Residents in Jappara 1 complained that police forces also fired teargas grenades at residential houses (see video below).

Case information: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/nabire-possible-reenactment-of-transmigration-program-triggers-west-papua-wide-protests/

Police officers disperse protesters in Nabire, 15 Nov’24

Demonstrations in other locations

Protests in the Sorong, Dekai, Yalimo, Manado (Sulawesi Utara Province) and Makassar (Sulawesi Selatan Province) were closely monitored by police personnel but were allowed to proceed. All protests remained peaceful. People displayed banners and held peaceful orations, calling upon Jakarta to abandon the plans of reenacting the transmigration program to West Papua and immediately hold the conversion of customary land to agricultural areas for rice production in Merauke.

Table: Victims of police violence during crackdown on demonstration against transmigration, 15 November 2024

No	Name	Age	Forms of violence	Participant affiliation	Location
1	Rudianto Pigay:	19 years	Beaten with a stun gun, sustained a head injury	participant	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
2	Roni Goo	22 years	Beaten with a stick on the foot and face causing bruises.	KNPB member	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
3	Yosep Degei	19 years	Beaten with a stick on the wrist causing bruises	Participant	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
4	Nongki Pekey	N/A	Beaten on the leg causing bruises.	KNPB member	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
5	Kris Douw	23 years	Kicked on the leg and the face, and sustained a cut on the eyebrow.	KNPB member	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
6	Albertus Madai	22 years	Beaten on the hand	Participant	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
7	Yakobus You	21 years	Beaten on the ankle	KNPB member	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
8	Nongki Ukago	22 years	Beaten on the leg causing bruises.	KNPB member	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
9	Milanus Bugi	20 years	Beaten with a stick to the forehead, sustained a head injury	Theology student	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
10	Tison Gwiyangge	23 years	Collectively punched and kicked by police officers who also took his alma mater with force	Student of STT Walter Pos Jayapura	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
11	Malianus Mugi	20 years	Beaten with a stick on the right temple and the back. He sustained a head injury and could not walk properly for days	Student of STT Walter Pos Jayapura	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
12	Yome Gobai	24 years	Beaten on the head and back. He sustained a head injury and could not walk properly for days	KNPB member	Jayapura City, Abepura Roundabout, Papua Province
13	Salina Abugau	16 years	Had difficulties breathing after inhaling teargas and sustained bruises after being beaten	Protester	Nabire Town
14	Mira Sondegau	20 years	Had difficulties breathing after inhaling teargas and sustained bruises after being beaten	Protester	Nabire Town
15	Sinta Zonggonau	20 years	Had difficulties breathing after inhaling teargas and sustained bullet injury on the hand	Protester	Nabire Town
16	Jebelayo	23 years	Had difficulties breathing after inhaling teargas and sustained bullet injury on the leg	Protester	Nabire Town

Table: Victims of arbitrary arrest during demonstration against transmigration in the town of Nabire, 15 November 2024

No	Name	Age	Additional information
1	Anton Pigome	34 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
2	Wonge Yatipai	19 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
3	Andi Auwe	26 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
4	Nikson Tabuni	22 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
5	Onesmi Selegani	22 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
6	Frans Kegakote	19 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
7	Apner Dou (	25 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
8	Kristina Yatipai	21 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
9	Imelda Edowai	18 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
10	Despianus Dumupa	29 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
11	Maria Tibakoto	20 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
12	Agus Yeimo	26 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
13	Kristo Dogomo	22 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm
14	Meky Dumupa	24 years	Arbitrarily detained at Nabire District Police Station and released at 5:00 pm