Human Rights in West Papua in 2022 – no improvement but further deterioration

Two major developments with a significant effect on the human rights situation in West Papua throughout 2022 were, firstly, Jakarta’s plans to amend the Papuan special autonomy law and establish new provinces in West Papua. This has caused widespread rejection among indigenous Papuans. In July 2021, the central government unilaterally amended the Papuan Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law without the participation of the Papuan Peoples Assembly (MRP) and the provincial government. Secondly, the ongoing armed conflict in West Papua causes a climate of persistent violence, particularly in the conflict areas. Papuan human rights defenders kept reporting cases of torture, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances – many of such cases are directly related to armed conflict.

Human Rights in West Papua in 2022 – no improvement but further deterioration Read More »

Victims and relatives disappointed over settlement of serious human rights violations in Indonesia

In 2022, the Jokowi administration took initiative to address past human rights violations, these efforts were poorly planned, monitored, and implemented. Both the trial of the 2014 Panai Case and the presidential decree for the non-judicial settlement of past serious human rights violations gave the impression that the government wants to burnish its human rights image among the international community instead of making a serious effort to establish justice and eradicate impunity.

Victims and relatives disappointed over settlement of serious human rights violations in Indonesia Read More »

Jayapura – ill-treatment of Papuan students protesting against the G20 summit

On 16 November 2022, hundreds of students followed the call by the Executive Student Body (BEM) and held peaceful demonstrations against the G20 summit at the Cenderawasih University campuses in Abepura and Waena, as well as at the USTJ Campus. Around 11.00 am, the police dispersed the peaceful protests with water cannons and tear gas. Police officers with rubber batons and shields attacked students and arrested seven student leaders at the UNCEN campus in Abepura.

Jayapura – ill-treatment of Papuan students protesting against the G20 summit Read More »

Denpasar, Bali – ill-treatment of Papuan students protesting against the G20 summit

Papuan students in Bali carried out peaceful demonstrations against the G20 summit, which Indonesia hosted in Bali on 15 and 16 November 2022. Members of nationalist groups attacked members of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) as they wanted to leave their dormitory to protest against the international event peacefully. Six students suffered injuries after being attacked with stones and bamboo sticks.

Denpasar, Bali – ill-treatment of Papuan students protesting against the G20 summit Read More »

Manokwari, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to peaceful flag-raising ceremony

On 27 November 2022, dozens of indigenous Papuans came together to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the independent state of West Papua New Guinea on 27 November 1997. They gathered at the Wosi Terminal. Protesters raised Morning Star flags and flags of other countries, including the Netherlands, the United States of America and New Zealand. Around 12.30 pm, joint security forces dispersed the peaceful protest and seized the flags.

Manokwari, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to peaceful flag-raising ceremony Read More »

Kaimana, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to flag-raising ceremony

Police officers arrested twelve indigenous Papuans in the Kaimana, Kaimana Regency, on 27 November 2022. Dozens of indigenous Papuans had come together to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the independent state of West Papua New Guinea on 27 November 1997. The crowd raised Morning Star Flags and flags of the European Union, the United States of America and New Zealand. The arrested four elderly and eight young Papuans were detained Station for interrogation by the Kaimana District Police.

Kaimana, WP – Police carry out mass arrests in response to flag-raising ceremony Read More »

Students raise Morning Star Flag inside the university campus in Jayapura – Police react with warning shots, teargas, and mass arrests

Police officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful protest by Papuan university students at the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) and arrested fifteen students on 10 November 2022. One detainee was reportedly torture on 8 December during detention.

Students raise Morning Star Flag inside the university campus in Jayapura – Police react with warning shots, teargas, and mass arrests Read More »

Civil unrest in Dogiyai Regency – Police resort to violence against residents

On 12 November 2022, members of the police cracked down on a civil unrest in the Dogiyai Regency, Papua Province. At least one person named Mr Felek Pigai was shot dead by police officers, while six others – all of them indigenous Papuans – were reportedly injured by bullets during the crackdown.

Civil unrest in Dogiyai Regency – Police resort to violence against residents Read More »

Police arrest ten Papuans, including minors, in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency

On 4 and 5 November 2022, members of the police mobile brigade special unit (Brimob) of the Yahukimo District Police and the 1715 District Military Command (Kodim) conducted raids in the Kilo Dua area (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs), located in the Dekai District of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Province.

Police arrest ten Papuans, including minors, in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency Read More »

Police officers torture Mr Yontinus Kogoya in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency

On 31 October 2022, joint security force members arrested Mr Yontinus Kogoya in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, and subsequently tortured him. According to information received from the Papuan Foundation for Justice and Human Integrity (YKKMP), police officers shot Mr Kogoya’s left leg as he attempted to escape the arrest. Thereupon, police officers handcuffed him and brought him to the nearby forest, where they tied both legs together before shooting both of his knees from close range.

Police officers torture Mr Yontinus Kogoya in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency Read More »

Security force members shoot 7-year-old girl during law enforcement operation in Intan Jaya, Papua

On 4 November 2022, joint TNI-Polri security force members shot down Elpina Duwitau, 7, during a law enforcement operation in the village of Yokatapa, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency. The security force members attempted to arrest a fugitive allegedly affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB).

Security force members shoot 7-year-old girl during law enforcement operation in Intan Jaya, Papua Read More »

New police raids in Maybrat Regency in October 2022 – at least nine villagers arrested

On 14 October 2022, police officers arbitrarily arrested at least nine villagers in the districts Aifat, Aigat Timur Tengah, and Aifat Selatan. of Maybrat Regency. Some sources claim that the number of arrestees reached 24, including women, elderly persons, and children. All arrestees were detained at the Sorong Selatan Police headquarters.

New police raids in Maybrat Regency in October 2022 – at least nine villagers arrested Read More »

Military tribunal sentence army member to ten years for killing civilian

On 4 June 2022, a military member shot dead 16-year-old civilian, Rafael Ivan Balaweling in the Prafi District of Manokwari Regency, Papua Barat Province. The shooting occurred during a wedding ceremony in the Aimasi village. According to the military spokesperson, General Tatang Subarna, the shooting was triggered by an argument between Staff Sergeant AFTJ and Rafael Ivan Balaweling. A military tribunal in Manokwari later found Staff Seargeant AFTJ guilty. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment with the recommendation to dishonourably dismiss the perpetrator from military service.

Military tribunal sentence army member to ten years for killing civilian Read More »

Police officer torture Mr Hermanus Waragan in Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency

Police officers tortured Mr Hermanus Waragan in the town of Tanah Merah in the Boven Digoel Regency, Papua Province, on 15 October 2022. Shortly before the incident, residents had filed a complaint regarding the disturbance of public order by an intoxicated person to the police. The officers jumped out of their patrol car, accusing Mr Waragen of disturbing public order, and immediately tortured him while asking him what he was doing in Meranti.

Police officer torture Mr Hermanus Waragan in Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency Read More »

Mukomuko police arrest at least 47 farmers within six months in Bengkulu – land conflict with PT DDP

The Mukomuko Resort Police have arrested at least 47 farmers from Malin Deman Sub-district, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province, within six months, from May to October 2022. The police often accuse the farmers who are members of the Association of Farmers Fighters Bumi Sejahtera (Perkumpulan Petani Pejuang Bumi Sejahtera/PPPBS) of stealing palm fruit belonging to PT Daria Darma Pratama (PT DDP and ignore the land conflict between PT DDP and the farmers. The police repeatedly made arbitrary arrests, detained the farmers without sufficient evidence, ill-treated them, and obstructed their right to meet with their lawyers.

Mukomuko police arrest at least 47 farmers within six months in Bengkulu – land conflict with PT DDP Read More »