Indonesia, West Papua – On 25 June 2025, 18 civilian families residing in the Sanggeng and Reremi areas in the Manokwari Regency were reportedly ordered to vacate their homes by the Indonesian Navy's Facility Maintenance Command (Fasharkan TNI AL).

The order, based on a notice letter (B/183/VI/2025) dated 23 June 2025, has been criticised as unlawful and intimidatory. The affected houses are officially recognised assets of the Manokwari Regency Government, and the residents possess valid occupancy permits. The Manokwari Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy (LP3BH Manokwari) has condemned the order, urging the Fasharkan TNI AL to halt any actions that intimidate community members in Sanggeng and Reremi.

According to the eviction notice, the 18 families shall leave their homes by 30 June 2025. LP3BH Manokwari director, Mr Jan Christian Warinussi, pointed out that the residents possess an Official Residence Occupancy Permit issued on 1 March 2002 (Number: 012/490), confirming their legal right to inhabit the properties. Furthermore, an official letter from former Regent Drs. Dominggus Mandacan (Number: 030/1326, dated 21 December 2006) confirms that the houses belong to the Manokwari Regency Government and were only loaned to the Indonesian Navy's Fasharkan. The letter explicitly prohibits Fasharkan from evicting residents without prior consent from the local government.

The dispute dates back to 1 March 2002, when the Manokwari Regency Government issued official occupancy permits (Number: 012/490) to the residents, legally entitling them to inhabit the houses. This was reaffirmed on 21 December 2006, when then-Regent Drs. Dominggus Mandacan issued a letter (Number: 030/1326) clarifying that the houses were government-owned assets temporarily loaned to Fasharkan TNI AL, and that no evictions could take place without government consent. Despite this, on 23 June 2025, Fasharkan issued a notice (B/183/VI/2025) ordering 18 families to vacate the premises by 30 June 2025. In response, on 25 June 2025, LP3BH Manokwari denounced the eviction order as unlawful and intimidatory, urging immediate dialogue between all stakeholders.

Forced evictions without due process, consultation, and legal justification breach General Comment No. 7 of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Moreover, the intimidation and coercion of civilians by military actors undermine principles of democratic governance and the rule of law.

Source: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/indonesian-navy-wants-to-evict-residents-in-manokwari