Uwazi

Indonesian security forces have used discriminatory excessive force and racially abused protesters peacefully opposing the renewal of the Papuan Special Autonomy Law, new research by Amnesty International has revealed.

Papuan protesters told how they were targeted with water cannons, kicked and punched, and beaten with guns and rubber batons in peaceful protests during the last month. At least one person was injured after security forces opened fire on protesters on 16 August. Three protesters reported being called “monkey” while being arrested during protests in July.

Amnesty International has analysed videos and photos which show police using unlawful force on peaceful protesters, and verified injuries suffered by protesters.

“The reports of assault – both physical and verbal – that we have gathered reveals the true contempt the security forces have for the rights of Papuans.

“The Indonesian authorities must immediately investigate the reports of use of discriminatory excessive force and racial abuse against protesters, and also ensure the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is respected.”

To date, protests against the controversial renewal of the Papua Special Autonomy Law have taken place in several cities, from July 14 to August 16. Amnesty International interviewed 17 people who participated in protests in the cities of Jakarta, Jayapura, Sorong and Yahukimo, and verified their accounts using open source video footage.

The protests have also called for the release of Victor Yeimo, a pro-independence activist from Papua facing life imprisonment for his political views.

A protestor who participated in the demonstration in Sorong on July 19 told Amnesty International that police officers beat him as he was arrested. He said: “I was kicked in the stomach and on my head. I was arrested because I only asked the National Police Chief for help to free the protesters who were arrested by the police.” The arrest and beating were corroborated by another protestor and video footage.

A protestor in Sorong criticized the excessive use of force by security forces. He said: “They just want us Papuans not to speak out about our rights. That’s why every time we take action, it’s always forced to disband like that.”

Indonesian security forces have used discriminatory excessive force and racially abused protesters peacefully opposing the renewal of the Papuan Special Autonomy Law, new research by Amnesty International has revealed.

Papuan protesters told how they were targeted with water cannons, kicked and punched, and beaten with guns and rubber batons in peaceful protests during the last month. At least one person was injured after security forces opened fire on protesters on 16 August. Three protesters reported being called “monkey” while being arrested during protests in July.

Amnesty International has analysed videos and photos which show police using unlawful force on peaceful protesters, and verified injuries suffered by protesters.

“The reports of assault – both physical and verbal – that we have gathered reveals the true contempt the security forces have for the rights of Papuans.

“The Indonesian authorities must immediately investigate the reports of use of discriminatory excessive force and racial abuse against protesters, and also ensure the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is respected.”

To date, protests against the controversial renewal of the Papua Special Autonomy Law have taken place in several cities, from July 14 to August 16. Amnesty International interviewed 17 people who participated in protests in the cities of Jakarta, Jayapura, Sorong and Yahukimo, and verified their accounts using open source video footage.

The protests have also called for the release of Victor Yeimo, a pro-independence activist from Papua facing life imprisonment for his political views.

One student who took part in a protest in Jakarta on July 15 told Amnesty International that security forces beat and racially abused him before he was arrested.

He said: “I was dragged down and taken far from the action, then I got punched, about seven times. When I tried to escape, the police pulled me in and stepped on me, on my shoulders and thighs, and called me ‘monkey’. I had to cover my face with my hands to protect from kicks. Then, I was arrested and pulled in the truck.” This was corroborated by another protestor who reported having witnessed police officers kicking a man and stepping on him.

Two other protesters in Jakarta told Amnesty International that security forces also called protesters “monkey” while pushing them into the police truck.

Indonesian security forces have used discriminatory excessive force and racially abused protesters peacefully opposing the renewal of the Papuan Special Autonomy Law, new research by Amnesty International has revealed.

Papuan protesters told how they were targeted with water cannons, kicked and punched, and beaten with guns and rubber batons in peaceful protests during the last month. At least one person was injured after security forces opened fire on protesters on 16 August. Three protesters reported being called “monkey” while being arrested during protests in July.

Amnesty International has analysed videos and photos which show police using unlawful force on peaceful protesters, and verified injuries suffered by protesters.

“The reports of assault – both physical and verbal – that we have gathered reveals the true contempt the security forces have for the rights of Papuans.

“The Indonesian authorities must immediately investigate the reports of use of discriminatory excessive force and racial abuse against protesters, and also ensure the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is respected.”

To date, protests against the controversial renewal of the Papua Special Autonomy Law have taken place in several cities, from July 14 to August 16. Amnesty International interviewed 17 people who participated in protests in the cities of Jakarta, Jayapura, Sorong and Yahukimo, and verified their accounts using open source video footage.

The protests have also called for the release of Victor Yeimo, a pro-independence activist from Papua facing life imprisonment for his political views.

On August 16, security forces opened fire on protesters in Yahukimo, injuring one person. One protestor told Amnesty International he heard multiple gunshots, and that several bullets were also found close to where the protest took place.

In a protest in Jayapura on the same day, protesters confirmed the use of water cannons, and beatings with rubber batons and guns by security forces. Amnesty International has verified video showing the use of water cannons against peaceful protesters and security forces beating them with rubber batons.

Aksi demo di depan rumah dinas Gubernur Sumatera Utara, Jalan Sudirman Medan, berakhir ricuh, Jumat (7/4/2021) sore. Massa terlibat keributan dengan Satpol PP dan Polisi.

Informasi yang dihimpun, unjuk rasa digelar massa yang tergabung dalam Aliansi Mahasiswa Peduli Kesejahteraan Sumatera Utara (AMPK Sumut).

Mereka menuntut Pergub No 1 Tahun 2021 tentang PBBKB yang menjadi penyebab naiknya harga BBM di Sumut, dicabut.

Tak lama massa melakukan orasi, personel Satpol dan kepolisian yang melakukan penjagaan langsung membubarkan aksi unjuk rasa.

Sekitar enam orang mahasiswa dibawa masuk ke mobil Sat Sabhara dan selanjutnya diboyong ke kantor polisi.

"Kami dibubarkan karena gak boleh demo di rumah dinas," kata salah seorang pengunjuk rasa Irham.

Koordinator Aksi Irwandi P Sembiring mengatakan, rencana unjuk rasa itu sudah diberitahukan melalui surat yang dikirim ke Polrestabes Medan pada 4 Mei 2021.

Dalam surat yang dilayangkan itu, mereka akan menggelar demo selama 6 hari berturut-turut, mulai Jumat hingga Rabu (7-12/5/21).

"Kita meminta Edy mencabut Pergub No 1, karena telah menyebabkan kenaikan harga BBM di Sumut, ditengah kondisi ekonomi masyarakat sedang sulit akibat pandemi seperti sekarang ini," ujar Irwandi.

Sementara itu, seorang jurnalis detikcom bernama Ahmad Arfah Fansuri Lubis disebut dipukul saat sedang melakukan tugas jurnalistik.

Saat itu, Arfa merekam kericuhan yang terjadi tersebut. Tiba-tiba ada yang menghalangi Arfah merekam video itu.

"Tadi awalnya aku ambil video (massa diamankan), ada yang pukul bagian belakang kepalaku, cukup keras. Pelaku dari satpol PP yang berjaga," kata Arfa saat dikonfirmasi.

Sejumlah mahasiswa yang tergabung dalam Front Pejuang Reformasi Total (FPRT) menggelar aksi di Jalan AP Pettarani, Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Jumat (21/5). Mereka memperingati Reformasi atau tepatnya 21 Mei 1998 ketika Soeharto menyatakan berhenti dari jabatan presiden.

Dalam aksinya, mereka menyuarakan Reformasi jilid dua di masa kini. Namun, unjuk rasa berujung pembubaran oleh pihak kepolisian.

Mulanya, aksi unjuk rasa berjalan kondusif. Setiap orator bergantian bicara menggunakan pengeras suara. Mereka menyuarakan sejumlah tuntutan sambil membentangkan spanduk.

Berikut tuntutan massa aksi yang mendambakan Reformasi Jilid dua.

1. Turunkan Presiden Jokowi
2. Cabut UU Cipta Kerja Omnibus Law
3. Tolak politisi Orba dan reformis gadungan
4. Usut tuntas penculik aktivis
5. Cabut Perpres No.32 tahun 2018
6. Tolak Soeharto jadi pahlawan Nasional
7. Tolak utang luar negeri
8. Tolak investor asing dan majukan BUMN
9. Wujudkan pendidikan gratis yang berkualitas dan sekolah tatap muka
10. Tolak pelemahan KPK

"Kami menuntut pemerintah mewujudkan pendidikan gratis yang berkualitas dan melaksanakan pendidikan tatap muka dengan tetap mematuhi prokes," kata Koordinator Lapangan, Riang Egi Saputra dalam orasinya.

Di tengah-tengah unjuk rasa, massa lalu membawa ban bekas. Mereka membakarnya di tengah jalan. Api menyala. Asap membubung. Polisi lalu gusar.

Aparat kemudian menghampiri massa dan membubarkan unjuk rasa. Massa lantas lari tunggang langgang berhamburan. Polisi tak tinggal diam. Mereka mengejar massa yang berupaya menyelamatkan diri dari penangkapan.

Dua orang diamankan petugas. Hingga saat ini, belum ada keterangan resmi dari pihak kepolisian ihwal unjuk rasa yang berujung pembubaran. Identitas pengunjuk rasa yang diamankan pun belum dirilis kepolisian.

The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) action to demand the release of Papuan political prisoners in front of the East Jakarta District Court was repelled by a mob from Pemuda Cinta NKRI. The atmosphere got heated when the AMP masses remained at the location and did not disperse. Luckily, the riots between the two groups were managed by the police who were on guard at the location.

A recent clash between Indigenous community members in Sumatra and workers from a pulpwood plantation company has marred ongoing efforts to resolve a decades-long land conflict.

At least a dozen members of the Natumingka Indigenous community in North Sumatra province were reported to have been injured during a clash that broke out on May 18 when they blocked some 400 workers and security guards of PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) from entering the disputed area. They had staged the protest to defend what they say is their ancestral land. Police officers were present at the scene at the request of the company.

Among those injured was Jusman Simanjuntak, 75, who had to receive multiple stitches after being struck in the head when the clash turned violent and rocks were being thrown.

“The defeat of Natumingka on May 18, 2021, is not a regret for me, but that became a moment of resurgence of the Natumingka community,” he said at an online press conference on June 3.

The two sides have been locked in dispute over the land in North Sumatra’s North Tapanuli district since 1992. Twenty-three Indigenous communities, including the Natumingka, claim ancestral rights to some 20,754 hectares (51,284 acres) inside the concession granted to TPL, an affiliate of pulp and paper giant Royal Golden Eagle.

The company, previously known as PT Inti Indorayon Utama, was initially granted a 269,060-hectare (664,862-acre) concession, but this was reduced in 2020 to 167,912 hectares (414,920 acres) by the environment ministry as it overlapped with Indigenous lands. The Indigenous communities contend much of the concession is part of their ancestral territory, but TPL has already planted half of the disputed area with eucalyptus.

In August 2019, the environment ministry ordered TPL to halt its activities pending a resolution between all sides.

At the same time, the Indigenous communities have been working to receive state recognition for Indigenous land certification. Since 2013, when a landmark Constitutional Court ruling struck down the state’s claim to Indigenous peoples’ forests, the government has recognized the rights of dozens of Indigenous groups to forest areas across Indonesia.

But the communities in North Tapanuli say the Indigenous land recognition process for them is taking much longer than needed. Jusman said that some 300 million rupiah ($20,800) that was allocated to fund the process has been requisitioned for efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“The communities were ready to help funding if that’s what it takes, but the government declined saying that it has no legal basis,” Jusman said.

In the wake of the recent clash between the Indigenous communities and TPL, Indonesia’s national parliament has called for the police to investigate and press charges against the company for the violence against the communities.

“The fact is that the land concession is overlapping with Indigenous lands, creating a rooted agrarian conflict that has been going on for so long and unresolved up to this day,” Bambang Soesatyo, the parliamentary speaker, said in a statement.

Jandres Silalahi, an executive at TPL, said the company regretted the clash that broke out at a time when dialogue between all stakeholders was ongoing to try and resolve the conflict.

While a resolution is still far from being achieved, many members of the Indigenous communities defending their claims against TPL have been met with violence and imprisonment. In 2000, a university student and a high school student were killed defending the area against TPL.

The Indigenous communities have since the early 1900s claimed ancestral rights to a large swath of forest in what is today North Tapanuli district, where they still practice subsistence farming today. In 1913, the communities loaned part of the land to the Dutch colonial authorities for a pine plantation. After Indonesia declared independence from the Dutch in 1945, the new government claimed the pine forest, among other Dutch-run assets and properties at the time, as belonging to the Indonesian state.

“If the district leader doesn’t care about the Natumingka community, we will keep on fighting,” Jusman said.

The Advocacy Team for democracy reported allegations of procedural violations, unlawful acts committed by Polda Metro Jaya in the 2021 National Education Day Action (Hardiknas). Quoted from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) website, aid Hukum.or.id, Saturday (29/5/ 2021), during the Education Day Action (Hardiknas), last May 3, 2021, the police force dispersed the mass of action consisting of students, students and workers. The dispersal was carried out at 17.00 WIB when student representatives were having an audience with the Director General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture. “Police officers dispersed by means of violence and intimidation to the participants of the action. At that time, 9 participants in the action were arrested and named as suspects.

A total of 97 people were arrested during an action to commemorate International Labor Day at the Horse Statue area and the Office of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Central Jakarta, Saturday (1/5). This amount was obtained from a summary of statements submitted by the police until the May Day action ended at 17.05 WIB.

Police arrested 15 Papuan students who were about to hold a demonstration to commemorate International Labor Day at the Arjuna Wiwaha Statue, Central Jakarta. Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Yusri Yunus said his party was securing it for administrative reasons. He said the students did not give notice before the action. Furthermore, the police arrested 22 Anarko. Yusri said the group was arrested when they were about to join the labor masses at the ILO Office. The arrests were also made to 30 students who are members of the Indonesian Catholic Student Association (PMKRI). Finally, the arrests were made to 30 students who had joined the Confederation of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance Congress (KASBI) and the People's Labor Movement (Gebrak).

The demonstration of students and workers who are members of the Makassar People's Faction, in the Flyover area of Jalan AP Pettarani, Friday (21/5/2021), was forcibly dispersed by a group suspected of being a community organization (ormas).

The forced dispersal of the demonstration was observed in an amateur video that was widely circulated on social media. The video, which lasts 1 minute 37 seconds, shows a number of members of mass organizations arriving and dispersing the demonstration.

MEDAN, Indonesia — A recent clash between Indigenous community members in Sumatra and workers from a pulpwood plantation company has marred ongoing efforts to resolve a decades-long land conflict.

At least a dozen members of the Natumingka Indigenous community in North Sumatra province were reported to have been injured during a clash that broke out on May 18 when they blocked some 400 workers and security guards of PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) from entering the disputed area. They had staged the protest to defend what they say is their ancestral land. Police officers were present at the scene at the request of the company.

Among those injured was Jusman Simanjuntak, 75, who had to receive multiple stitches after being struck in the head when the clash turned violent and rocks were being thrown.

“The defeat of Natumingka on May 18, 2021, is not a regret for me, but that became a moment of resurgence of the Natumingka community,” he said at an online press conference on June 3. The two sides have been locked in dispute over the land in North Sumatra’s North Tapanuli district since 1992. Twenty-three Indigenous communities, including the Natumingka, claim ancestral rights to some 20,754 hectares (51,284 acres) inside the concession granted to TPL, an affiliate of pulp and paper giant Royal Golden Eagle.

The company, previously known as PT Inti Indorayon Utama, was initially granted a 269,060-hectare (664,862-acre) concession, but this was reduced in 2020 to 167,912 hectares (414,920 acres) by the environment ministry as it overlapped with Indigenous lands. The Indigenous communities contend much of the concession is part of their ancestral territory, but TPL has already planted half of the disputed area with eucalyptus.

In August 2019, the environment ministry ordered TPL to halt its activities pending a resolution between all sides.

At the same time, the Indigenous communities have been working to receive state recognition for Indigenous land certification. Since 2013, when a landmark Constitutional Court ruling struck down the state’s claim to Indigenous peoples’ forests, the government has recognized the rights of dozens of Indigenous groups to forest areas across Indonesia.

But the communities in North Tapanuli say the Indigenous land recognition process for them is taking much longer than needed. Jusman said that some 300 million rupiah ($20,800) that was allocated to fund the process has been requisitioned for efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“The communities were ready to help funding if that’s what it takes, but the government declined saying that it has no legal basis,” Jusman said. In the wake of the recent clash between the Indigenous communities and TPL, Indonesia’s national parliament has called for the police to investigate and press charges against the company for the violence against the communities.

“The fact is that the land concession is overlapping with Indigenous lands, creating a rooted agrarian conflict that has been going on for so long and unresolved up to this day,” Bambang Soesatyo, the parliamentary speaker, said in a statement.

Jandres Silalahi, an executive at TPL, said the company regretted the clash that broke out at a time when dialogue between all stakeholders was ongoing to try and resolve the conflict.

While a resolution is still far from being achieved, many members of the Indigenous communities defending their claims against TPL have been met with violence and imprisonment. In 2000, a university student and a high school student were killed defending the area against TPL.

The Indigenous communities have since the early 1900s claimed ancestral rights to a large swath of forest in what is today North Tapanuli district, where they still practice subsistence farming today. In 1913, the communities loaned part of the land to the Dutch colonial authorities for a pine plantation. After Indonesia declared independence from the Dutch in 1945, the new government claimed the pine forest, among other Dutch-run assets and properties at the time, as belonging to the Indonesian state.

“If the district leader doesn’t care about the Natumingka community, we will keep on fighting,” Jusman said.

Victor Mambor, journalist and editor of the Papua-based Tabloid Jubi, has become the target of a terrorist act this week.

A car that he owns which was parked on the road near his home in the Papuan capital of Jayapura was vandalised by unknown individuals between 12 midnight and 2am on Wednesday, April 21.

The windscreen of Mambor’s Isuzu Double Cabin DMax was smashed by a blunt object. The rear and left-side windows were also damaged by a sharp instrument.

The left-side front and back doors were also spray painted with orange paint.

The Jayapura branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) chairperson, Lucky Ireeuw, suspects that the vandalism act was committed over reporting by Tabloid Jubi which a “certain party” disliked.

Tabloid Jubi and its website are known for consistently presenting the public with reports on human rights violations in Papua.

“This act of terror and intimidation is clearly a form of violence against journalists and threatens press freedom in Papua and more broadly in Indonesia,” said Ireeuw in a press release on Thursday, April 22.

‘Terrorism suffered’ “It is strongly suspected that the terrorism suffered by Victor is related to reporting by Tabloid Jubi which a certain party dislikes.”

Prior to the vandalism of his car, Mambor has suffered a series of attacks.

“Digital attacks, doxing, and disseminating a flyer on social media the content of which painted Tabloid Jubi and Victor Mambor in a bad light, playing people off against each other and threats of criminal attacks on the media and Victor personally,” Ireeuw said giving examples of the attacks.

The incident has already been reported to the authorities and Ireeuw is calling on the police to immediately investigate and arrest the perpetrators.

Ireeuw slammed the attack against Mambor and Tabloid Jubi and urged whoever committed it to stop such actions immediately.

“We appeal to all parties to respect the work of journalists and respect press freedom in the land of Papua,” he said.

The spokesperson of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Timika area, Emanuel Dogopia, was taken from his parents’ house in Timika, the center of Mimika regency in Papua, by the police. He was released nine hours later, after the police ordered him to sign a statement that he would not post anything opposing “NKRI” or the United State of Republic of Indonesia.

KNPB headquarters’ spokesperson, Ones Suhuniap, told Jubi that the police took Dogopia’s personal belongings when he was “relaxing” at his parent’s house at 2:30 pm.

On Thursday evening, Dogopia, who was just released at 11 pm, told Jubi that the police returned his laptop, handphone, arrows, knife, and other personal belongings except for his KNPB flag. He said although returned, his computer could not start anymore.

“The police accused me of uploading the recruitment of native Papuans as police officers on my Facebook account. I said, I never uploaded that video. He asked the police, why did they arrest him while the video was already circulating widely on social media.

Dogopia said when he was at the police precinct, an officer slapped him and asked him to give the officer his cell phone. I told them when they arrested me, my cell phone fell on the front yard.

Before he was released, the police made him sign a statement that he would not post anything on social media that opposed “NKRI”. Dogopia agreed to sign. He said he did not object to the request as long as the police did not make him sign a statement that he had to stop his political activities with the KNPB. “I would rather be in jail if they asked me that,” he said.

A journalist in West Flores was allegedly mistreated by a group of people while doing coverage. AL is suspected of being abused by a contractor with the initials of SD along with his workers after covering the visit of a number of members of the DPRD Flores Barat to monitor the construction of the Bale Puskesmas in Klubagolit District on Saturday, January 16.

The journalist was assaulted for covering the allegations of corruption of the construction of health facilities which later were found not to be in accordance with the budget plan.

Indonesian authorities should drop politically motivated treason charges and unconditionally release an activist detained for peacefully advocating Papuan independence, Human Rights Watch said today. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo should publicly direct security forces involved in counterinsurgency operations in Papua to act in accordance with international law or be held to account.

On May 9, 2021, a special police unit, Satgas Nemangkawi, arrested Victor Yeimo, a spokesman for the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. Police charged him with treason for a 2019 statement, made during anti-racism protests and ensuing riots in Papua and West Papua, calling for a referendum on independence. Papua’s police chief, Mathius Fakhiri, said that the police are still “digging up” cases against Yeimo: “Let him get old in prison.”

“Indonesian police should investigate the deadly violence and arson attacks in Papua in 2019 but not use that as a pretext to crack down on peaceful activists,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “An independent investigation is still needed into the role of the security forces, and the authorities need to prosecute those responsible for wrongdoing.”

For decades, successive Indonesian governments have discriminated against the Indigenous people of Melanesian origin in the resource-rich and isolated provinces of Papua and West Papua, Human Rights Watch said.

Yeimo, 38, is a prominent activist who helped set up the KNPB after the fatal shooting of Opinus Tabuni, a Papuan celebrating International Indigenous People’s Day on August 9, 2008. No one was ever arrested for his killing.

Yeimo and others were arrested in 2008 and 2009 for advocating a United Nations-administered independence referendum in Papua and West Papua provinces. On his Facebook page, Yeimo has repeatedly written about racism against Papuans and called for negotiations between the West Papuan independence movement and Indonesia’s government. He has spoken at conferences in Indonesia and internationally about Papua’s environmental and human rights problems.

In August 2019, Papuans took part in protests across at least 30 cities in Indonesia in response to a racist attack by Indonesian militants and soldiers on a West Papuan student dorm in Surabaya. Videos showed some Indonesian soldiers repeatedly banging on the dormitory’s gate while shouting words such as “monkeys.” Police shot teargas into the dormitory and arrested dozens of Papuan students. Videos of the attack circulated widely and triggered widespread protests, including looting and arson attacks in Jayapura, Manokwari, Sorong, and Wamena.

At least 43 Papuan protest leaders and KNPB activists were charged with treason and sentenced despite the fact that they were not involved in violence. The activists included Surya Anta Ginting, the coordinator of the Front of the Indonesian People for West Papua, who was convicted along with five other Papuan activists, in April 2020. They were sentenced to between eight and nine months in prison.

In Balikpapan, seven KNPB activists and Papuan student leaders were sentenced to between 10 and 11 months for treason in June 2020. These included Buchtar Tabuni, another KNPB founder, and Agus Kossay, the KNPB chairman, who were jailed for their pro-independence speeches. The police then also put Yeimo, who had given interviews to international media, on their “wanted” list, though they took no further action at the time.

Human Rights Watch takes no position on Papuan claims to self-determination, but supports everyone’s right, including independence supporters, to express their political views peacefully without fear of arrest or other forms of reprisal.

Yeimo’s May 9 arrest came as Indonesian military operations in Papua intensified in response to the April 25 killing in an ambush of I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya, a Special Forces (Kopassus) brigadier general, in the Central Highlands. Nugraha is the first general to be killed in five decades of low intensity conflict in Papua. Yeimo called the death of General Nugraha a “sacrifice” caused by the reluctance of the Indonesian government and parliament to find a political solution in Papua.

President Jokowi responded to the killing by ordering the army and police to hunt down and arrest every member of the group responsible for the general’s death. The Jokowi administration later declared an unnamed “armed criminal group” a terrorist organization, apparently referring to the West Papua National Liberation Army.

The national police have dispatched an additional 12 companies (about 1,200 officers) from Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and the Moluccas, while the military has sent 400 troops from the 315/Garuda Battalion from Bogor, south of Jakarta. Human rights groups in Indonesia have expressed concerns that the government’s labeling the armed group “terrorist” could encourage serious abuses by the security forces in Papua.

“Papuan opposition to Indonesian rule and military and police oppression has often been met with further abuses,” Adams said. “The Indonesian authorities should ensure that all security force operations in Papua are carried out in accordance with the law and that peaceful activists and other civilians are not targeted.”

Dozens of Papuan students from dari Front Mahasiswa Peduli Papua (Formalipa) admitted to being victims of police violence in Denpasar. The alleged incident occurred when they held a demonstration in the Renon area, Denpasar, Tuesday (9/3/2021). This was revealed by representatives of Formalipa in a press conference held at the LBH Bali office, Denpasar, Wednesday (10/3/2021).

Kepolisian Resor Kota (Polresta) Jogja wouldn’t allow the International Women's Day demonstration by the Front Perjuangan Rakyat (FPR). The Rally is planned to take place around Jalan Malioboro on March 8, 2021. This policy is suspected to be the impact of the local regulation regarding the prohibition of demonstrations in Malioboro. FPR spokesperson Anna Mariyana Ulfa said, on March 1, 2021, they sent a letter notifying the rally to the Police. But on that same day, they received a reply to a letter regarding the refusal of the protest notification.

Police officer from the Jayapura City Police arrested five students demonstrating carrying the Bintang Kejora flag on Monday (22/3/2021). The police also disband a demonstration demanding that Government of Indonesia open access for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Papua. The rally was initiated by students of the students of Universitas Sains dan Teknologi Jayapura (USTJ) on campus. Initially, the protesters had time to postpone their action, because they saw that the police were already on campus.

A demonstration to commemorate International Women's Day which was held in front of the office of the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Monday (8/3/2021) afternoon, was dispersed by a group of people. A number of participants in the action also experienced violence, such as being beaten and pushed.

Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia (YLBHI) said that 2 legal assistants for residents of Pancoran, South Jakarta, were detained by the South Jakarta Metro Police. "Two legal assistants for the residents of Pancoran, Safaraldy from LBH Jakarta and Dzuhrian from Paralegal Jalanan were arrested for no reason by the South Jakarta Police on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Both were detained while delivering a letter regarding the refusal to investigate the Pancoran residents

Chairman Kongres Aliansi Serikat Buruh Indonesia (KASBI), The General Chairman of Congress of Indonesia Unions Alliance, Nining Elitos, was summoned by the police regarding allegations of sedition and violations of health quarantine. This case is being handled by Direktorat Reserse Kriminal Umum Polda Metro Jaya. In the police report number: LP / 235 / III / YAN.2.5 / 2021 / SPKT PMJ dated 9 March and the Inquiry Letter Number: SP.Lidik / 777 / III / 2021 / Ditreskrimum dated 10 March, the police scheduled Nining's request for clarification on Monday , March 15. The charges were filed after Nining Elitos organised a rally on International Women's Day on 8 March.

A group of Papuans staged a rally to protest the Special Autonomy for Papua in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday (5/3/2021). The demonstration against Papua Special Autonomy was violently be disbanded by the Police from Polrestabes Semarang. Deputy city police chief of Semarang, AKBP I.G.A. Perbawa Nugraha, argued that the dispersal of the demonstration was carried out because it violated the rules for imposing restrictions on community activities which are currently being implemented in the city of Semarang to prevent the spread of the corona virus. 30 participants were arrested as result of the dispersal.

A video of a group of people forcibly dispersed by the police in Banjarmasin a went viral as the group of protesters were protesting for flood victims in Banjarmasin. Floods in South Kalimantan occurred in mid-January 2021 and then inundated 11 of the 13 regencies there. As a result, dozens of lives were lost, hundreds of houses were badly damaged and disturbed residents' activities. The flood disaster in South Kalimantan, which was previously estimated to have caused a loss of Rp 1.349 trillion.

The police forcibly dispersed a number of people who held a demonstration in front of the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (27/1). The demonstration was disbanded because it was deemed to have violated the Covid-19 health protocol. It is known that there were two groups of masses who held demonstrations in front of the DPR building, a group known to supports Papua's Special Autonomy. The number is about 70, according to the police. 15 participants to the event were arrested by the police

The Director of LBH Makassar Muhammad Haedir revealed that two protesters at the commemoration of International Women's Day in Makassar, South Sulawesi were detained for 24 hours at the Makassar Police Headquarters. He said the chronology of the arrests began when the protesters demonstrated their voices on various women's issues last Monday (8/3). When the masses were preparing to disperse, continued Haedir, suddenly there were community organizations that accused them of supporting the Papua issue

College students altogether with the element of civil society organised a demonstration to express their notion in front of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia to commemorate Indonesia’s Educational Day on 2 May.

The rally was giving the oration and the symbolic action of giving ‘red card’ to the Ministry. The ‘red card’ expresses dissatisfaction with the mass action to the Ministry of Education and Culture which had been failed to errands their duty of educational services during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The rally went well and orderly until 16.52. Yet, the rally was dissolved forcefully by the police officer around 16.52, when the mass action was waiting for their friends who were having negotiation with the member of the Ministry of Education and Culture inside the ministry building.

The police officer continuously using excessive excuse to dissolve the mass action. Noticeably, they were using a water cannon and aim the mass action, also the other things, such as, forceful arrest and seize the sounding commando’s car of mass action which belongs to FSBN-KASBI (The Congress Alliance of Labour in Indonesia). It hasn’t stopped yet, the police were intimidating with violence to the mass action who were taping the dissolving scene and the violation act by the police.

The police officer continuously using excessive action to dissolve the mass action. Noticeably, they were using a water cannon and aim the mass action, also the other things, such as, forceful arrest and seize the sounding commando’s car of mass action which belongs to FSBN-KASBI (The Congress Alliance of Labour in Indonesia). It hasn’t stopped yet, the police were intimidating with violence to the mass action who were taping the dissolving scene and the violation act by the police.

For the record, the demonstration is considered as one of the human rights which allow us to express our notion in front of the public, freely. It is written and protected by the Law and Article 9 of 1998, also in the other regulation of law. For that reason, the excessive power of action, the violation and the forceful arrest by the police officer are being charged as the violation of the law. Eventually, it will reveal the repressive actions of the government who ought to protect their people that conduct mass action in the public.

A Tempo journalist in the East Java was assaulted and threatened for investigating a case of alleged bribery involving the former director of investigations and tax collections at Indonesia’s Finance Ministry. The IFJ and its affiliate AJI condemn violence and intimidation of journalists in Indonesia and implore all authorities to respect press freedom.

On March 29, the journalist Nurhadi is reported to have entered the wedding of the daughter of the former director, Angin Prayitno Aji, to collect information for his report on bribery when two men believed to be Angin’s personal bodyguards accused him of trespassing, despite him showing his press card.

Nurhadi said that the bodyguards then assaulted him. The journalist “had his hair pulled, was slapped in the face and ears, punched and trodden on” and was held captive for two hours inside a hotel room in Surabaya. During his detainment, Nurhadi’s mobile phone was seized and smashed and the bodyguards reset the memory on his computer, which contained information regarding the corruption case.

The assault raises fresh concerns over violence against journalists in Indonesia. The case has been reported to East Java regional police with the assistance of Surabaya Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and other civil society groups.

On 3 March 2021, West Papuan human rights defenders Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama, wereforcibly taken from their respective student dormitories in East Jakarta and Central Jakarta, by agroup of plain-clothes individuals. It was only later confirmed that the individuals who had detainedthem were part of the Criminal Research Unit of Polda Metro Jaya regional police. Both defendersare currently detained at the Polda Metro Jaya police station.Roland Levy is a West Papuan student human rights defender. As a coordinator of the AlliansiMahasaswa Papua - AMP (West Papua Student Alliance) for Jakarta, he leads discussions ondemocracy, human rights violations and the rights of freedom of the press, and is involved in mediaoutreach for the Alliance. He has also coordinated initiatives focused on the State’s responsibility toresolve tribal conflicts in Timika in 2017, and West Papua’s right to self-determination. KelvinMolama is a West Papuan student human rights defender and an active member of the AMP. Hehas been actively involved in the group’s human rights activities including the organisation ofdiscussion forums and protests against the human rights violation in West Papua.On the morning of 3 March 2021, fourteen plain-clothes individuals in four vehicles entered thepremises of Yahukimo student accommodation and forcibly removed human rights defender KelvinMolama. The individuals, believed at the time to be police or intelligence officials, did not presentany warrant for detaining the defender. Other residents of the dormitory witnessing the detentionwere prevented from taking photos of the incident. At about the same time, fellow student humanrights defender Roland Levy was also taken away by plain-clothes individuals from his studentdormitory in the Senen area of Central Jakarta. No warrant was presented for his arrest.Later that day, individuals close to the human rights defenders were able to confirm that bothdefenders had been detained by officials from the Criminal Research Unit of Polda Metro Jaya.Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama have both been threatened with formal arrest under Article 170and Article 365 of the Criminal Code, which relate to of violence and theft. The exact reason fortheir arrest has yet to be provided to the human rights defenders, yet they remain detained at thePolda Metro Jaya police station, where they have had access to their lawyers.Human rights defenders on the ground believe that the arrests were made as a pre-emptivemeasure, to slow the momentum of the growing protest movement in West Papua, and intimidateand discourage those involved in the movement. Since the peaceful demonstrations led by WestPapuan student human rights defenders in August 2019, many of these defenders have beensubjected to relentless threats, intimidation and harassment by Indonesian officials. VeronicaKoman, a lawyer and woman human rights defender who worked closely with the defenders hasbeen targeted with various forms of harassment, such as the inclusion of her name on the country’swanted list and threats that an Interpol red notice would be issued in her name.Front Line Defenders is extremely concerned for the safety of Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama, asit believes they are being targeted for their legitimate and peaceful work for the protection of humanrights. Front Line Defenders condemns the increasingly hostile environment for human rightsdefenders in Indonesia, specifically those from West Papua, working on the rights of West Papuansand human rights issues more broadly.

On 10 February 2021, environmental rights defenders Samsir and Syamsul Bahri were arrested by the Tanjung Pura Police for their alleged involvement in the physical assault of an individual on18 December 2020. Both defenders are currently being held at the Langkat Police detention centre in Stabat.Samsir and Syamsul Bahri are environmental rights defenders and chairpersons of the Tani NipahGroup. The group works on the restoration and rehabilitation of the natural environment, by planting Rizophora and Nipah mangroves, and opening up water channels to better irrigate areas habited by the local communities. As environmental rights defenders, both have been actively involved in the preservation of the local environment and the fight against exploitation of the area.On 10 February 2021, the Tanjung Pura Police called in Samsir and Syamsul Bahri to record their statements in relation to their alleged involvement in an incident of assault that took place on 18December 2020. Later the same day, an arrest warrant was issued against the two defenders charging them under Article 170 of the penal code with ‘committing violence against persons or property’, in conjunction with Articles 55 and 56 of the Indonesian Penal Code which concerns‘giving order/influence to a crime’ and ‘assisting to commit a crime’. Following the issuing of the warrant, Samsir and Syamsul Bahri were arrested at the police station and sent to the Langkat Police detention centre for 20 days. The Tani Nipah Group believes that the case against the defenders has been fabricated as a form of intimidation for their environmental protection work.On 18 December 2020, the complainant in the assault case, along with another person, both of whom are believed to be affiliated to a palm oil company, approached and photographed the Tani Nipah Group while they were planting mangroves and cleaning up the areas managed by the community. Noticing the outsiders, Syamsul Bahri approached them and asked why they were documenting of the group’s work. The environmental rights defender was reportedly met with arrogant responses from the complainant. The commotion attracted other members of the Tani Nipah Group group to the scene, prompting the complainant to walk away. The complainant was then overheard informing an unknown individual on a call that he had been assaulted. After making the call, the complainant jumped into the nearby river. For fear that he might drown, members of the group immediately took a boat out to save him. They then questioned the complainants claimthat he had been attacked, after which the complainant immediately retracted his statement. The Tani Nipah Group has a video of the complainant retracting the assault accusation. The palm oil company that the complainant is believed to be affiliated with owns 65 hectares of land in the region. It is suspected that the company also has illegal palm oil plantations in the area.The Tani Nipah group and environmental defenders believe that the intimidation is being directed by the company because of the group’s work in protecting the mangrove forest environment.Samsir and Syamsul Bahri and the Tani Nipah group have been the target of threats and harassment in the past for their environmental protection work. In 2016, Syamsul Bahri was shot byan unknown individual just after he started working with the Tani Nipah Group. In 2017, Syamsul Bahri and his wife were hit and badly injured by an unknown motorcyclist. On several occasions,trees planted by the Tani Nipah Group group have been cut down. While formal complaints have been registered with the police, no action has been taken to find perpetrators of the aforementioned harassments.

Polres Gorontalo Kota membubarkan aksi aliansi mahasiswa Papua yang digelar di gerbang kampus Universitas Negeri Gorontalo (UNG), Selasa (1/12/2020).

Sejatinya, aksi ini digelar oleh aliansi mahasiswa Papua di Gorontalo untuk memperingati lahirnya Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang jatuh pada 1 Desember.

“Aksi ini terpaksa dibubarkan karena tidak memiliki izin,” kata Kapolres Gorontalo Kota, AKBP Desmont Harjendro AP SIK, saat dikonfirmasi wartawan.

Dikatakan Kapolres pula, bahwa di masa pandemi ini pihaknya harus benar-benar mencegah kerumunan dan hal-hal lainnya yang berpotensi bertambahnya virus corona.

Pembubaran aksi oleh pihak kepolisian pun awalnya telah dilakukan secara persuasif, namun sayang tidak diindahkan oleh mahasiswa Papua tersebut. Olehnya, polisi pun melakukan upaya paksa untuk membubarkan aksi.

“Tadi memang nyaris terjadi gesekan dengan massa aksi, namun semuanya bisa dikendalikan,” tandas mantan Kapolres Bone Bolango itu. Sebelumnya, aliansi mahasiswa Papua menggelar aksi Free West Papua (Fri-WP) dalam rangka memperingati HUT OPM ini menyampaikan beberapa tuntutannya, di antaranya memprotes pemerintah yang dianggap selalu mendeskripsikan masyarakat Papua dan mengeroyok kekayaan di tanah Papua.