Repressive police measures against protests demanding closure of PT Freeport Indonesia and revocation of TNI Law in Nabire and Jayapura -

On 7 April 2025, Papuan students and solidarity organisations held coordinated protests in major cities across Indonesia, such as Bandung, Bali, Lombok, Jember, Malang, Jayapura, Nabire, and Manokwari, marking the 58th anniversary of PT Freeport Indonesia’s operations in the Papua Tengah Province. The demonstrators called for the closure of PT Freeport and other extractive industries, denounced the militarisation of West Papua, and demanded the right to self-determination for the Papuan people. While some protests remained peaceful, others, such as in Nabire and Jayapura, were met with police violence, tear gas, arrests, and forced dispersals. Before the incident, police officers also prevented activists in Jayapura from distributing leaflets for the rally. In Nabire, demonstrators who had notified authorities in advance were blocked from walking to the provincial parliament. Police later claimed they provided transportation to avoid public disruption, but participants reported violence and injuries caused by security forces.

The protesters’ demands included the revocation of Law No. 34 of 2025 on the TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces), an end to military operations in West Papua, the closure of illegal companies and extractive projects, and the immediate recognition of the right to self-determination. They also called for an end to the criminalisation and surveillance of Papuan activists, the withdrawal of repressive legislation, and the protection of indigenous rights and democratic freedoms. The protests highlighted not only long-standing grievances over land rights and militarisation but also the shrinking civic space and intensified repression of peaceful political expression. Despite clear constitutional and international protections for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, Indonesian authorities responded with excessive force, violating core human rights norms and failing to engage meaningfully with the protesters’ demands.

The events constitute a violation of the right to freedom of expression and assembly as guaranteed in Article 28E of the Indonesian Constitution, Law No. 9/1998 on Public Expression, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Articles 19 and 21, ratified by Law No. 12/2005). The last-minute rejection of the protest on formal grounds contradicts the usual practice that a demonstration only needs to be notified and not approved. The violent intervention, excessive police force, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation by military presence indicate a deliberate restriction of democratic freedoms.

The excessive presence of riot police and the use of force without clear and imminent threats breach international standards on the use of force in crowd control, as elaborated in the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. The denial of movement, intimidation, and pre-emptive surveillance tactics further illustrate an entrenched pattern of criminalising dissent and stifling political expression, particularly in relation to demands for West Papuan self-determination.

Nabire, Papua Tengah Province

On 7 April 2025, Indonesian security forces began gathering at various locations in Nabire since the early hours of the morning. The peaceful protest was aimed at demanding the closure of PT Freeport Indonesia and the recognition of the Papuan people’s right to self-determination. The police banned the planned long march to the regional parliament (DPRP) at short notice and then used violence against the protesters. At least nine protesters were injured as a result of police violence, and seven people were arbitrarily detained. Their personal belongings, such as mobile phones and cash, were reportedly confiscated.

The protesters gathered from 6:30 am at four locations in Nabire, namely Jepara 1, Karang Market, Karang Mulia, and Siriwini. They planned to walk to the DPRP to present their demands. Despite the submission of a notification letter the day before, the police refused to acknowledge the latter, citing formal deficiencies (no responsible person, number of participants). At around 8:15 am, the first groups set off but were forcefully stopped by joint security personnel at several locations. Eyewitnesses reported beatings, tear gas, rubber bullets, and intimidation (see photos and videos below, source: WPCC). In some locations, the police dispersed the protesters without prior negotiations, arbitrarily detaining protesters, including the coordinators of the protest. At around 3:00 pm, all those detained were released. However, seized items had not been returned by the time of release.

Police officers blocking and dispersing the peaceful protest in Nabire on 7 April 2025

Protesters injured as a result of police violence in Nabire on 7 April 2025

Jayapura, Papua Province

On 5 April 2025, Indonesian police forcibly dispersed a peaceful leaflet distribution by the Forum Independen Mahasiswa West Papua (FIM-WP) at Perumnas III Waena, Kota Jayapura. Around ten officers intervened, claiming the activity lacked an official permit and citing orders from superiors. The leaflets aimed to mobilise public participation for a planned protest on 7 April 2025, demanding the closure of PT Freeport Indonesia and advocating for West Papuan self-determination. Despite having submitted a notification letter, the police officer refused to issue a confirmation of receipt of the protest notice.

On 7 April 2025, a coordinated peaceful protest organised by the Forum Independen Mahasiswa West Papua (FIM-WP) in Jayapura City was met with violent repression by Indonesian security forces. Protesters’ demands included the closure of PT Freeport Indonesia, an end to military operations, and the recognition of the Papuan people’s right to self-determination. The peaceful demonstration, titled “Close PT Freeport as a symbol of capitalism in Papua and grant the right to self-determination for the Papuan people”, involved student participants from multiple locations, including the University of Cenderawasih (Uncen), Uncen Bawah, and the Expo Waena area. Despite efforts to negotiate peaceful assemblies, police blocked, delayed, and ultimately dispersed demonstrators using excessive force.

The protest began at approximately 09:30 am, as students moved from the Uncen campus in Waena to the Perumnas III taxi stand. Upon arrival, they encountered three police trucks, a riot control vehicle, and approximately 50 officers. Police violently repressed the gathering but eventually allowed a 45-minute window for speeches. Officers forcibly dispersed the group at 11:05 am. At the Expo bus terminal, protesters were surrounded and denied their planned long march to the DPRP office. Despite persistent negotiations, security forces forcibly dispersed the crowd by 12:30 pm, blocking all movement and encircling protesters (see video and photos below, source: WPCC).