After already trying to prevent commemorations from taking place by arresting 23 activists on 10 December 2022, the police arrested again 30 KNPB activists on 10. They were intercepted in three locations in Wamena, namely in Pikhe, Sinakma, and Potikelek, all close to each other. The police arrested the activists around 8.00 am as they were preparing banners at the assembly points.
On 10 December 2022, dozens of police officers blocked protesters at the Pos 7 intersection and prevented them from walking along the main road to Jayapura City. KNPB activists tried negotiating with the police to continue their way to Jayapura. At 7.50 am, the police dispersed the crowd and reportedly arrested 52 protesters. Human rights observers managed to document the names of only 42. Five protesters, namely Mrs Agustina Kobak, Mr Zeth Matuan, Mr Insu Siep, Mr Nodi Tepmul and Mr Frengky Kogoya, sustained injuries due to excessive police violence. All protesters were loaded in trucks and brought to the Jayapura district police station in Doyo Baru for interrogation.
The 2022 commemorations of the Hmuan Righs Day in Jayapura, Sentani, and Wamena were accompanied by mass arrests and ill-treatments against protesters.
Security forces opened fire at a crowd of indigenous Papuans, as they were passing a Military Special Forces (Kopassus) Post. At least, nine persons were injured during the incident, among them two minors. The Papuan human rights coalition called upon the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to conduct a timely and thorough investigation into the case. The Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) declared that police officers opened fire at the crowd because the crowd attacked them during an attempt to prevent clashes between conflict parties. The claim contradicts the findings of the investigation by the Papuan human rights coalition.
On 8 December 2022, two intoxicated police officers reportedly tortured three political detainees during detention at the Jayapura police headquarters
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.
A military trial against five members of the Brigif R20/IJK/3 Timika Military Command has been launched at the III-19 Military Court in Jayapura on 12 December 2022.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Police officers arrested twelve indigenous Papuans in the town of Kaimana, Kaimana Regency, on 27 November 2022. Also in Manokwari fifteen protesters were arrested and taken into custody.
On 16 November 2022., Papuan students in Jayapura and Denpasar were attacked while peacefully protesting against the G20 summit in Bali 2022
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
