Police officers allegedly used physical violence against seven members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in two separate incidents in Jayapura City and Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, on 11 and 13 August 2026. The incidents occurred during preparations for a peaceful demonstration scheduled for 15 August 2026 under the theme "Papua: Military and Humanitarian Emergency Zone". On 11 August, police officers reportedly assaulted two KNPB members while they attempted to submit a notification letter at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters in Jayapura City. Two days later, police officers allegedly used force to disperse KNPB activists distributing protest leaflets near Post 7 in Sentani, injuring five members.
On 11 August 2026, KNP representatives attempted to submit a notification letter concerning the planned demonstration to several government institutions in Jayapura City. These included the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), the Office of the Governor of Papua Province, the Papua Provincial House of Representatives (DPRP), the Papua Representative Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) and the Jayapura City Police (Polresta Jayapura Kota). The notification outlined the objectives of the planned demonstration and informed the relevant authorities that the organisers intended to conduct the protest peacefully.
According to the information received from KNPB, police officers prevented the KNPB representatives from proceeding through the entrance checkpoint at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters. An officer identified as Alex, reportedly a member of the police Provost Unit, allegedly obstructed the activists and seized two KNPB flags. During the confrontation, officers reportedly used physical violence against Mr Beny Murib and Mr Benny Pahabol. According to the account, officers forcibly pulled Beni Murib's hair while pushing and Mr Benny Pahabol away. The confrontation reportedly created tensions between the activists and police officers at the entrance checkpoint.
Following the incident, the KNPB publicly condemned the alleged use of force and called on the Indonesian security forces to respect the right to peaceful assembly. The organisation maintained that its planned demonstration would be conducted peacefully and urged the police to refrain from further violence against its members.
On 13 August 2026, at approximately 1:46 pm, KNPB activists were distributing leaflets near Post 7 in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, to inform residents about the planned demonstration on 15 August 2026. According to preliminary information provided by a local human rights defender, officers from the Jayapura District Police arrived at the location and reportedly dispersed the leafleting activity without prior warning or dialogue.
The intervention resulted in a tense confrontation between police officers and KNPB members. According to KNPB, several activists who attempted to de-escalate the situation were physically assaulted by police officers. Five KNPB activits reportedly sustained injuries to different parts of their bodies. Following the dispersal, local human rights defenders continued documenting the incident near the football pitch in front of STT Walter Post, Post 7, Sentani (see video below, source: KNPB).
Human rights and legal analysis
The reported incidents raise concerns regarding the protection of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The submission of a notification letter for a planned demonstration and the peaceful distribution of leaflets are activities through which individuals exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Restrictions on peaceful assemblies must have a lawful basis, pursue a legitimate objective and satisfy the requirements of necessity and proportionality. The UN Human Rights Committee has emphasised that law enforcement authorities must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies rather than impose unnecessary restrictions on them.
The allegations of physical violence raise further concerns regarding the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under Article 7 of the ICCPR and the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Any use of force must be necessary for a legitimate law enforcement purpose and proportionate to the circumstances.
Particular concern arises from the reported assault on Eri Kawen, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident. Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires states to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, while Article 37(a) prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has clarified that the obligation to protect children against violence extends to misconduct by state officials, including police officers.
The two incidents also raise questions regarding police compliance with Indonesian Law No. 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression in Public. Article 7 requires government officials to protect human rights and uphold the principle of legality when facilitating public expression, while Article 13 establishes police responsibilities concerning the receipt of demonstration notifications, co-ordination with organisers and protection of participants.
The Indonesian authorities should ensure that the allegations are investigated promptly, impartially and effectively, including through the examination of available video recordings, witness testimony, medical evidence and police operational records. Any officers found responsible for unlawful violence should be held accountable through appropriate disciplinary or criminal proceedings, and victims should have access to effective remedies and adequate reparation. The authorities should also ensure that police officers facilitate peaceful civic activities without discrimination and refrain from reprisals against individuals exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-133-2026
Location: CGQ5+2MC, Jl. Pos 7, Sentani Kota, Kec. Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua 99359, Indonesia (-2.5624337, 140.5091405)
Region: Indonesia > Papua > Jayapura Regency > Sentani
Total number of victims: 7
1. Eri Kawen, male 17 Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
2. Wk Kogoya, male 25 Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
3. Aweda Gobay, male 25 Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
4. Yanse Milu, male 27 Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
5. Elison Urwan, male 23 Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
6. Benny Pahabol, male adult Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
7. Beny Murib, adult Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
Period of incident: 11/08/2026-13/08/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polresta Jayapura and Polres Sentani
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence