Indonesia, West Papua – Human rights defender, Mr Marcho Pahabol, a member of the Justice Front for Tobias Silak (FJFTS) solidarity group, has been subjected to a series of intimidation and violent attacks in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.
Mr Pahabol understands these acts as an attempt to prevent him from advocating for justice for the execution of Mr Tobias Silak by security force members in the town of Dekai on 20 August 2024. His peaceful calls for accountability, including through public campaigns, community mobilisation, and cooperation with national human rights institutions, have triggered targeted acts of reprisal against him.
The threats escalated in early 2025, beginning with an assault by a group of unidentified men in Dekai, followed by an attempt knife attack on 26 March 2025 by an individual on a motorcycle. Only days later, on 2 April 2025, Mr Pahabol was physically assaulted by a police officer on Paradiso Road in Dekai without prior provocations or dispute. In addition to the physical assaults, he has endured psychological harassment in the form of nightly disturbances – vehicles honking persistently in front of his home, apparently attempting to intimidate or lure him outside.
These incidents have taken place amid ongoing efforts by FJFTS to demand the prosecution of police officers allegedly involved in the unlawful execution of Mr Tobias Silak, including calls for trials to be moved to Jayapura due to lack of trust in local institutions. Mr Pahabol's case reflects a broader trend of threats and reprisals against indigenous Papuan activists advocating for human rights violations and justice in the region. His experiences suggest a coordinated effort to silence dissent and obstruct justice efforts.
The situation underscores the urgent need for national and international protection mechanisms for human rights defenders in West Papua. Authorities are obliged to investigate attacks against human rights defenders, ensure their safety, and hold those responsible accountable. As highlighted by the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and Indonesia's international human rights obligations, defending justice and truth must never be met with violence or fear.
Chronology of events
20 August 2024: Mr Tobias Silak, a staff member of the election supervisory agency (Bawaslu), was shot and killed by security force members in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. Authorities claimed he was affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), triggering outrage from his family and community who strongly denied these allegations.
10 September 2024: Starting from 10 September 2024, Mr Silak's family and solidarity groups held peaceful protests in Dekai demanding justice and rejecting the police narrative. They urged the National Human Rights Commisssion (Komnas HAM) to investigate and called for the prosecution of perpetrators in a civil court.
25 January 2025: Mr Marcho Tabuni organised an open discussion and strategic meeting with youth community representatives in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo. The present solidarity groups agreed to organize a region-wide strike if the Yahukimo District Police continued to not thoroughly investigate the allegations into the extra-judicial execution.
21 February 2025: The FJFTS held a public protest demanding that Papuan Regional Police should arrest and prosecute four mobile brigade (Brimob) officers allegedly involved in the shooting, following Komnas HAM recommendations. They also called for trial relocation to Jayapura. Mr Pahabol held orations during the peaceful demonstration demanding justice.
March 2025 (exact date unknown): Mr Pahabol was attacked by a group of six unidentified indigenous men in Dekai. The motive remains unclear, and there was no prior provocation.
26 March 2025: An assassination attempt was made against Mr Pahabol on 26 March 2025. An unidentified individual on a motorcycle attempted to stab him in a residential area of Dekai. Mr Pahabol was able to escape from the attacker.
2 April 2025: Mr Pahabol was beaten by a police officer at the Paradiso Road in Dekai without any clear justification, adding to the escalating violence against him.
Ongoing (March - April 2025): Mr Pahabol faces nightly harassment. Vehicles honk loudly in front of his residence in an apparent attempt to lure him outside. Mr Pahabol remained indoors and observing the situation from the window.