Indonesia, West Papua – On 17 April 2025, in the afternoon, a young Papuan man named Nando Mote was subjected to arbitrary arrest, extrajudicial physical assault, and inhuman and degrading treatment by members of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in Nabire Town, Papua Tengah Province.
The acts of torture occurred near the Sriwini Bawa intersection and later at the Nabire Police Station (Polres Nabire), following a police sweep operation. Police officers reportedly pursued Nando Mote and shot him in the right calf with a rubber bullet without prior warning or explanation. He was severely beaten with rifle butts and wooden sticks. The abuse continued while in detention, where he was subjected to intimidation and humiliating treatment while police officers denied adequate and timely medical care.
According to Nando's testimony, he and a male companion were driving a motorcycle when they encountered a group of armed police officers conducting an unannounced operation at the Sriwini Bawa intersection. Panicking after officers shouted and gave chase, they attempted to flee. Upon reaching the back of the local correctional facility, Nando dismounted and surrendered with raised hands. Despite his clear signs of non-resistance, approximately six to seven police officers assaulted him physically, striking him twice in the face with rifle butts and subsequently shooting him in the leg with a rubber bullet without provocation (see photos below, source: Tadah News.com). He was then forcibly dragged into a police vehicle, further beaten, and accused of a robbery he knew nothing about. The acts of torture appeared to be a punishment for Nando's attempt to flee.
During the ride to the police station, officers continued the abuse, pressing their boots against his head and repeatedly striking him with a bamboo stick. At the Nabire Police Station, despite his visibly bleeding leg wound and bruised face, Nando was denied immediate medical attention. Police officers only brought him to the police clinic after other detainees protested the negligence. At the clinic, a staff member sutured his wound without removing the bullet and without proper diagnostic procedures. Nando was later taken to Sriwini General Hospital, where an X-ray was performed. However, he was never informed about the results. Instead, a police officer claimed there was no bullet projectile in his leg and falsely stated that the injury was caused by an unknown perpetrator, despite Nando's clear statement that the police themselves had fired the shot.
Nando was returned to the Nabire Police Station detention cell, where he remained for 19 days without adequate medical treatment, food, or legal assistance. For the first five days, the only care he received came from fellow detainees who cleaned his bleeding wound using their drinking water. Painkillers prescribed by the clinic were withheld by the police after the first day, and when Nando screamed in agony due to fever, infection, and pus, officers made cruel remarks, such as, "It's far from the heart" and "You'll get better." On the tenth day, a fellow detainee and former hospital worker manually pressed Nando's wound, extracting rubber bullet fragments. Despite the arrest of the actual suspect on the eighth day, Nando continued to be detained under contradictory justifications, passed between police units in a bureaucratic blame game. Only after his mother received a letter smuggled out through a visitor (see letter below, source: Tadah News.com) did the family learn of his Nando's condition and whereabouts. On 4 May, accompanied by a lawyer, the family secured his release. Nando was allowed to leave Polres Nabire on 5 May 2025.
The incident constitutes multiple grave violations of human rights as protected under international and Indonesian law, including the right to liberty and security of person (Article 9, ICCPR), the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7, ICCPR; Convention Against Torture), and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The use of force against a surrendered and unarmed individual, coupled with the denial of appropriate medical care by law enforcement personnel, reflects a systemic culture of impunity and racial discrimination against indigenous Papuans. The Indonesian government must reaffirm its commitment to non-discrimination, accountability, and human dignity, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as West Papua.
Source: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/torture-and-arbitrary-detention-by-police-officers-in-nabire