Indonesia, West Papua – On 7 October 2025, the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) branch office in Sorong urged the Southwest Papua People's Assembly (MRP PBD) to take an active role in monitoring and supporting the legal process into allegations of arbitrary detention and torture committed by officers of the Sorong City Police against Papuan civilian, Mr Ortizan F.
Tarage on 15 May 2025. Despite being reported in May 2025 under Police Report Number LP/B/341/V/2025/SPKT/POLRESTA SORONG KOTA/POLDA PAPUA BARAT DAYA, the case remains stagnant, with no suspects named and no transparent investigative progress.
Following the victim's complaint, LBH Kaki Abu Sorong and later LBH Papua Pos Sorong filed reports demanding accountability. However, correspondence from the Sorong City Police in July and September 2025 indicates that no meaningful investigation has been undertaken. Instead, the police reportedly attempted to resolve the case through customary or "amicable" settlement efforts, without the consent or involvement of the victim's legal representatives. The victim understands these attempts as an act deemed to obstruct justice and perpetuate impunity.
In October 2025, LBH Papua Pos Sorong confirmed that a member of the MRP PBD of West Papua contacted their office to coordinate on the case. LBH Sorong welcomed this move, stating it would formally submit a petition and evidence dossier to the MRP PBD demanding oversight. Advocacy staff member Ambrosius Klagilit, S.H., stressed that the MRP PBD must "remain consistent in defending the rights of Indigenous Papuans, especially the right to security and freedom from all forms of violence and torture."
LBH Papua reiterated that the rule of law applies to all, including law enforcement officials, citing Article 1(3) of the 1945 Constitution, Articles 28D(1) and 28G(2) of the Constitution, Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights, and Law No. 5/1998 on the Convention Against Torture, which Indonesia has ratified. The lawyers emphasised that no institution enjoys immunity under the rule of law and that torture by state officials constitutes a serious violation of human rights under both national and international law.
Background
The incident occurred on Jalan Pendidikan Km. 8, Sorong City, on 15 May 2025. Mr Ortizan Tarage and his wife were fishing when several unidentified men, later confirmed as members of the Sorong City Police, arrived without showing arrest warrants or assignment letters. They forcibly arrested Mr Tarage and took him into custody, where he was subjected to severe beatings with wood, bamboo, iron, padlocks, and hoses, to coerce a confession to a motorcycle theft. The victim sustained serious injuries (see photo on top, source: Jubi) and was hospitalised at Sele Be Solu Regional Hospital. He was later threatened not to pursue legal action.
Legal and human rights perspective
The case illustrates a systemic failure of accountability and the persistence of undue delay in investigations involving members of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI). Despite the existence of clear legal provisions prohibiting torture, including Article 33(1) and Article 34 of the Human Rights Law, there has been no legal progress in five months. This violates the victim's right to an effective remedy under Article 7(1) of Law No. 39/1999 and international human rights standards such as Article 12 of the Convention Against Torture.
Moreover, attempts by the police to settle the case through non-judicial means contradict both Article 17 of the Human Rights Law and National Police Regulation No. 8 of 2009, which obligates police to uphold human rights principles in the performance of their duties. Such acts risk perpetuating a culture of impunity, eroding public trust in state institutions, and undermining the rule of law.