Indonesia, West Papua – On 14 May 2025, around 12:30 WIT, the bishop ordination at the Three Kings Cathedral in Timika, Central Papua, was disrupted by the arbitrary detention of indigenous Papuan youth activist, Malvin Yobe, by Mimika District Police, with support from members of the Catholic Youth Organisation and the ordination committee.
The police approached the activists shortly after the episcopal ordination of Mgr. Bernardus Bofitwos Baru OSA as the new Bishop of Timika – a ceremony attended by the Vatican's Ambassador to Indonesia and bishops from across the country. The activists had carried out a silent and peaceful protest in the cathedral courtyard (see photos, source: independent HRDs), displaying signs that called attention to human rights violations and environmental destruction in West Papua: The banners also voiced rejection of controversial public statements made by Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi MSC of Merauke, who has expressed support for National Strategic Projects (PSN) that involve the expropriation of indigenous lands in the Merauke Regency.
The protest was organised by Suara Kaum Awam Katolik Regio Papua (The Voice of the Catholic Laity of Papua Region), as part of their weekly civic engagement initiative. They also circulated a petition calling for greater recognition of indigenous Papuan clergy and a more contextual pastoral leadership within the Papuan dioceses. Despite the peaceful and non-disruptive nature of their demonstration, the Mimika Police, without providing any legal justification, forcefully detained Malvin Yobe. Bystanders reported that protest materials were confiscated, banners torn, and the activists were swiftly dispersed. For several hours, the families and legal representatives of Malvin Yobe were unable to determine his whereabouts
The situation escalated due to the lack of transparency and the involvement of church-affiliated individuals in enabling the arrests. Civil society organisations, youth networks, and human rights groups condemned the actions as a gross infringement of freedom of expression, assembly, and religion. They demanded immediate clarification of the activists' legal status. Malvin Yobe was released at 04:40 pm on the same day from Jalan Baru Police Station, but concerns remain regarding ongoing surveillance and possible reprisals.
The case underscores broader systemic issues of repression of indigenous voices, especially when they confront elite clerical or state-endorsed narratives. The crackdown on a non-violent expression of dissent within a religious setting sets a disturbing precedent and contradicts the Church's own social justice teachings and the constitutional rights guaranteed under Indonesian law and international human rights standards.