On 29 June 2026, two Papuan students were reportedly injured during a peaceful demonstration organised by the Forum for Student Solidarity in Support of the Papuan People (FSMP-PRP) in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, after they were allegedly attacked by members of a right-wing nationalist group named Indonesian Muslim Brigade (BMI). The demonstration was held in response to the screening of the documentary Pesta Babi and was intended as a peaceful exercise of the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Protesters further alleged that Indonesian police failed to prevent attacks by counter-protesters and subsequently deployed a disproportionate security presence that intimidated participants and restricted the exercise of their rights.
According to FSMP-PRP representatives, approximately 30 Papuan students departed from Kamasan at around 1:00 pm and proceeded towards the protest site. En route, the group was reportedly confronted by BMI members, who allegedly obstructed the march, tore the protest's main banner, verbally intimidated participants and threw stones at the protesters. During the incident, Mr Frans Awom, 21, reportedly sustained a head injury after being struck with a brick, while Mr Yustinus Magai, 24, suffered injuries to his head and right leg after reportedly being hit with stones. Several other participants reportedly sustained minor injuries. Following the incident, police negotiated with the protesters and asked them to wait while coordination was undertaken.
At approximately 2:50 pm, police reportedly deployed more than 100 personnel, including two Sabhara vehicles, a water cannon, a public address vehicle and intelligence officers, to contain the gathering despite the presence of only around 30 demonstrators. Protest organisers alleged that police failed to prevent the attack. The students held orations until approximately 4:10 pm. At around 4:30 pm, BMI members allegedly began throwing stones at the protesters, striking the field coordinator in the head. Despite the renewed violence, the demonstrators remained seated and completed the reading of their statement at approximately 5:30 WITA before peacefully dispersing.
Human rights analysis
The reported events raise concerns regarding Indonesia's compliance with its obligations to protect the rights to freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly as's guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party. While the violence was allegedly committed primarily by members of a non-state group, the authorities have a positive obligation to take reasonable measures to facilitate peaceful assemblies, protect participants from foreseeable attacks by third parties and ensure that policing measures remain necessary and proportionate. The alleged failure to prevent repeated attacks by counter-protesters, combined with the deployment of a large police force that reportedly intimidated peaceful demonstrators, warrants an independent investigation into the conduct of both the attackers and the security forces.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-101-2026
Location: Makassar City Kamasan area in Makassar, Soth Sulawesi
Region: Indonesia > South Sulawesi > Makassar
Total number of victims: few
1. Frans Awom, male 21 Indigenous Peoples, Student freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment
2. Yustinus Magai, male 24 Indigenous Peoples, Student freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment
3. Few, mixed unknown Indigenous Peoples, Student freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, ill-treatment
Period of incident: 29/06/2026-29/06/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police
Issues: indigenous peoples