Military members torture fisherman in Mappi Regency, West Papua

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.

West Papua: Police mobile brigade occupy schools in Yahukimo regency – Students protest peacefully

Papuan students are protesting against the occupation of three schools in the Yahukimo Regency. Members of the police mobile brigade (Brimob) have been using the school facilities since October 2021, which reportedly led to a breakdown of school activities in the affected areas. On 20 January 2022, about 300 protesters walked to the Yahukimo education department in Dekai and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Brimob members from the schools.

Criminalisation of human rights defenders Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidyanti: Jakarta police alleged to be biased

On 20 August 2021, activists Fatia Maulidyanti and Haris Azhar openly discussed the relations between Indonesian security forces deployments and economic interests behind gold mining operations in the Papuan regency Intan Jaya in a YouTube video. The former military general and incumbent Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mr Luhut Panjaitan, was named in the video. Mr Panjaitan sent two subpoena to the activists demanding a public apology. On 22 September 2021, Mr Panjaitan reported the activists for the alleged violation of the Indonesian Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law) and the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) to the police.

Military members ill-treat civilians inside karaoke bar in Merauke

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.

West Papua: Enforced disappearance of a Pastor in the Pegunungan Bintang Regency

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.

Administrative court rules against palm oil companies in Sorong

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.

Military members accused of raping woman in Jayapura

Two members of the military are suspected of raping a woman in a hotel in Abepura, Jayapura, Papua Province. The spokesperson of the XVII/Cenderawasih military command, Kolonel Inf Aqsha Erlangga, declared on 31.12.2021 that the two suspects were arrested by the military police on 20.12.2021 and that the icase is being investigated. The complete chronology and motive for the rape case are not yet known and the identities of the two TNI personnel have not been disclosed.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

As one of the two main international human rights treaties the ICCPR establishes the rights and freedoms for civil and political engagement such as the freedom of expression and assembly, prohibition of torture, extra-judicial killings or discrimination based on colour, sex or social origin.