On 16 October 2025, members of the Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly tortured ten Papuans, including two volunteers from the Manokwari Institute for Research, Assessment and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH Manokwari), in North Moskona District, Teluk Bintuni Regency, Papua Barat Province.
The two LP3BH volunteers, Mr Korneles Aisnak and Mr Ruben Frasa, had been officially assigned to monitor and assist civilians displaced by armed clashes in the area. The incident has prompted LP3BH Manokwari to complain to the National Police Chief and the TNI Commander, urging an immediate investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.
Following an armed clash in Moyeba Village, North Moskona District, on 11 October 2025, which resulted in the death of a TNI soldier, residents fled into the surrounding forests out of fear for their safety. LP3BH Manokwari dispatched Mr Aisnak and Mr Frasa, along with eight local volunteers, to deliver humanitarian aid and assess the condition of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).
On 16 October 2025, the group was confronted by security forces. Despite showing their official assignment letters and requesting permission to meet with the IDPs, the group was subjected to torture. According to reports received by LP3BH, security personnel beat them with wooden sticks, forced them to squat as punishment, and expelled them from the area, compelling them to return to Bintuni. The officers involved disregarded the volunteers' official documentation and humanitarian purpose.
LP3BH Manokwari has called upon the National Police Chief and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces to conduct an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into the abuse and to hold the perpetrators accountable through both disciplinary and criminal proceedings. The organisation also urged the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM RI) to intervene in North Moskona to provide legal protection and humanitarian assistance to the IDPs.
Human rights analysis
This incident constitutes a serious violation of international human rights standards and Indonesia's constitutional guarantees. The abuse of LP3BH volunteers represents a direct assault on the rights to personal security, freedom from torture and degrading treatment under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPR as well as Article 2 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The protection of humanitarian actors is recognised under international human rights and humanitarian law. Furthermore, the obstruction of humanitarian monitoring in conflict-affected areas undermines civilians' right to humanitarian assistance and protection.
The acts of intimidation and physical abuse by security force personnel against human rights defenders contravene Indonesia's obligations under the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (1998), which guarantees the right of individuals and organisations to promote and protect human rights without interference or reprisal.