Seven indigenous Papuans found guilty of treason and sentenced to 10 months
On 21 April 2022, judges of the Jayapura District Court have found seven indigenous Papuans guilty of treason and sentenced them to ten months imrisonment.
West Papua
The indigenous peoples in West Papua suffer from human rights violations in the decades long lasting political and economical conflict there. West Papua refers to the western half of the New Guinea island. It is comprised of the six Indonesian provinces: Papua, Papua Barat, Papua Tengah, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Selatan, Papua Barat Daya.
Military members in Nduga torture teacher to death
Members of the Quari Atas Yonif R 431/SSP military post in the Kenyam Distrct, Nduga regency allegedly tortured a 40-year-old high school teacher, Mr Musa Nawipa on 27 April 2022. According to information received from local sources, the military personnel tortured Mr Nawipa inside the military post for one day until he succumbed to the injuries sustained as a result of the torture.
Police officer beats street vendor in Timika
On 13 April 2022, Brigadier AK, a police member of the Mimika District Police, attacked a street vendor, Mr Taman, as he was selling food in front of the SMAN 1 Timika high school. Mr Taman sustained bruises around the right eye and a cut on the lips as a result of the torture. The incident was recorded on camera and later went viral on social media.
Military members shoot indigenous Papuan in Maybrat
Military members gunned down an indigenous Papuan, Mr Frengki Nauw, in front of the Mare district military command, Maybrat Regency. Prior to the shooting, Mr Nauw was attacked and beaten by an intoxicated villager and ran to the nearby military post to get to safety.
Police release shots during house search in Jayapura – Two Papuan students injured, eleven arrested
On 8 April 2022, around 11:00 pm, police officers of the Jayapura city police carried out a house search in the Buper area of the Heram District in Jayapura City. The residents, most of them Papuan students, had just finished a traditional cooking ceremony as a group of police officers equipped with automatic machine guns and bullet-proof vests approached the house.
Indigenous peoples in the Grime Nawa valley demand that Palm oil company PT Permata Nusa Mandiri stops operating
On 7 September 2022, the indigenous peoples in the Grime Nawa valley in Jayapura Regency again held a demonstration demanding the government stop activities and revoke the license of the palm oil plantation company, PT Permata Nusa Mandiri (PT PNM). The compnay has a location permit from 2011 and an environmental permit since 2014. PT PNM obtained a Hak Guna Usaha (HGU) permit in 2018, although the three-year Palm Oil Moratorium has been in effect.
Police officer beats indigenous Papuan unconscious in Wamena
Police officers tortured indigenous Papuan youth, Brayen Renaldy Gombo, inside a police patrol car in the highland town of Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, on 14 September 2022. The police officers arbitrarily arrested Brayen Renaldy Gombo because he was making fun of officers who were conducting a raid and seizing alcoholic drinks.
Eleven Students arrested for removing name board of new government office in Wamena – three students remain in custody
Officers of the Jayawijaya District Police (Polres Jayawijaya) arrested eleven university students in the highland town of Wamena on 7 September 2022.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the World Council of Churches express concern over the aggravation of violence in West Papua
Two international organisations, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), have voiced concerns regarding the aggravating human rights situation in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces Papua and Papua Barat.
Update: Law enforcement process on 2014 Paniai Massacre – Human rights court trial scheduled for 21 September 2022
The human rights court trial in relation to the Paniai Massacre of 2014 will be launched at the Makassar District Court on 21 September 2022
Military members torture two Papuans in Mappi Regency – One victim dead, the other wounded
On 30 August 2022, military personnel tortured Mr Bruno Anonim Kimko and Mr Yohanes Kanggum inside a military post in the Bade Village, Mappi Regency. Komnas HAM revealed that the military personnel had tortured four more victims two days before. They were identified as Mr Amsal Pius Yimsimen, Mr Korbanius Yamin, Mr Lodefius Tikamtahae and Mr Saferius Yame. As of October 2022, the military police have identified 18 suspects.
Police arrest eight students for opening book stall at Cenderawasih University Campus, Jayapura
On 1 September 2022, police officers arrested eight Papuan student activsist inside the Cenderawasih University Campus in Jayapura. The arrested students are members of the Papuan student organisation GempaR. The activists organised and took part in a book stall in front of the UNCEN Museum. The books were made available to students and the public.
Constitutional Court rejects application for judicial review of New Papuan Special Autonomy Law
On 31 August 2022, the Constitutional Court rejected the application for judicial review of the new Papuan Special Autonomy Law No 2/2021.
Five Papuan activists arrested in Jayapura after protesting against the New York Agreement
Police officers arrested five Papuan activists of the movement organisation Kunume Numbay in Jayapura, Papua Province, on 15 August 2022. According to information received, police officers were already waiting at the meeting point as 14 Kunume Numbay arrived around 10:00 am.
Six soldiers and three civilians arrested for the alleged killing and mutilation of four Papuans in Timika
Military and civilian perpetrators have killed and mutilated four indigenous Papuans in Timika on 22 August 2022. The military police and the Timika regional police have launched separate investigations into the killing. As of 30 August 2022, the police had discovered body parts of the four victims, which the perpetrators packed in bags and dumped into the river. On 29 August the relatives carried out a peaceful protest demanding justice for the killing and enforced disappearance of Mr Irian Nirigi, Mr Arnold Lokbere, Mr Atis Tini, and Mr Limaniol Nirigi.
Eight Papuan activists found guilty of treason and sentenced to ten months for raising Morning Star Flag
Eight Papuan activists: Malvin Yobe, Devio Tekege, Ambros Elopere, Maksi You, Paul Sode Hilapok, Luis Sitok, Ernesto Matuan, and Melvin Waine were arrested for raising the Morning Star flag in front of the sports hall (GOR) in Jayapura on 1 December 2021. The police charged the activists with Articles 106 KUHP on treason and Article 110 KUHP on criminal conspiracy against the state. Allegedly the police is unnecessarily prolonging the detention because the evidence against the eight activists is not sufficient to submit the case to the public prosecutor. On 30 January 2022, the police extended the period of detention for another 30 days. Prior to the arrest, Melvin Yobe was undergoing a pulmonary treatment program, while Sode Hilapok was suffering from hemorrhoids. Their health condition of Mr Malvin Yobe and Mr Paul Sode reportedly deteriorated in late January 2022. Mr Hilapok was once permitted to see a doctor while Mr Yobe has not yet received any medical treatment. The trial started at the Jayapura District Court in April 2022 but the first court hearing was adjourned. The trial has finally started on 17 May 2022.
On 29 August 2022, judges at the Jayapura District Court found Mr Melvin Yobe, 29, Mr Melvin Fernando Waine, 25, Mr Zode Hilapok, 27, Mr Devion Tekege, 23, Mr Yosep Ernesto Matuan, 19, Mr Maksimus Simon Petrus You, 18, Mr Lius Kitok Uropmabin, 21, and Mr Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere, 21, guilty of treason as regulated under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) (see photo on top, source: Jubi). Previously, the public prosecutor demanded a sentence of one year while the lawyers had pleaded for acquittal for the defendants.
Joint security forces kill IDP in Yahukimo Regency
On 5 July 2022, security force members of the Damai Cartenz shot dead indigenous Papuan, Mr Uakhele Giban in the Suru Suru District, Yahukimo Regency. He has been living with his family in a temporary shelter in there since November 2021 and was using his motorboat for river transportation services to generate an income to support his family.
Military members intimidate Papuan human rights defender in Nabire
On 7 July 2022, two military members were questioning residents and journalists in Nabire to collect information about Papuan human rights defender Mr. Yones Douw. Mr Douw understood this action as an attempt to intimidate and prevent him from carrying out his work as human rights defender.
Hailstorms and frost cause famine in the Lanny Jaya Regency
Hailstorms and frost in mid-July 2022 have caused the destruction of gardens and livestock in the Lanny Jaya Regency, Papu Province.
Papuan journalist Victor Mambor wins Udin Award
The co-founder of Tabloid Jubi, Victor Mambor received the 2022 Udin Award from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) on 7 August on AJI’s 28th-anniversary celebration. Victor Mambor is a …