On 6 December 2025, Jayapura Resort Police (Polres Jayapura) officers forcefully dispersed a peaceful assembly organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB)at the BTN Matoa Field, Sentani, Jayapura Regency.
During the crackdown, officers intimidated and arbitrarily arrested six participants. Twelve activists were subjected to ill-treatment during the incident. The assembly was held to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and to distribute leaflets for a peaceful action for World Human Rights Day on 10 December 2025.
Between 08:20 am and 09:50 am, KNPB members and supporters arrived at BTN Matoa Field from various parts of Sentani to attend the ULMWP anniversary commemorations. At approximately 11:00 am, police officers approached the location. Some KNPB representatives attempted to engage in dialogue and clarify the nature of the activity.
Despite the attempt to de-escalate the situation, police personnel allegedly launched an indiscriminate assault, using rubber batons, bamboo sticks, rattan canes, boots, and physical force. Participants were beaten at the scene, including women and young adults. At least six individuals were forcibly arrested, while others fled the area in fear. By 11:2o pm, the police had transported the detainees and two confiscated motorcycles to the Jayapura District Police Station (Polres Jayapura) in Doyo Baru, Sentani. Victims reported that beatings continued during transport and that no access to legal counsel or medical assistance was provided while in custody.
The six detainees were released the following day, on 7 December 2025, due to public pressure from civil society organisations, churches, and human rights defenders. The police neither pressed criminal charges against the detainees nor did they present arrest warrants or clear legal grounds for the deprivation of liberty.
Human rights analysis
This incident reflects an ongoing pattern of shrinking civic and democratic space in West Papua, where peaceful political expression is routinely met with repressive policing. The conduct of the Jayapura Police raises serious concerns under international and Indonesian human rights law. The violent dispersal of a peaceful gathering constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as protected under Article 21 and Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 28E(3) of the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia.
The use of excessive and indiscriminate force against unarmed civilians, including beatings causing visible injuries, is inconsistent with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which require necessity, proportionality, and accountability. The reported assaults may also amount to ill-treatment under Article 7 ICCPR and Article 33 of Indonesia's Human Rights Law (Law No. 39 of 1999).
Furthermore, the arbitrary arrest and short-term detention of six individuals without a clear legal basis, access to lawyers, or prompt judicial oversight violates Article 9 ICCPR and provisions of Indonesia's Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). The confiscation of personal property without due process and the intimidation of participants further demonstrate a pattern of criminalisation of peaceful political expression in the Papuan provinces.
Table of victims (see original document)
Detailed case data
Location: Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-2.5648168, 140.5056744) BTN Matoa Field, Sentani
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 13
1. Frengky Kogoya, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
2. Dortius Tengket, male 0 Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
3. Lukas Deal, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
4. Thyna Lokon, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
5. Rambo Wenda, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
6. Erson T. Kalaka, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
7. Ido Udam, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
8. Elky Matuan, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment
9. Meage Fernando Pase, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
10. Alex Tepmul, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
11. Melky Pase, male unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
12. Demanus Deal, diverse unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
13. Nesta Enambere, diverse unknown Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 06/12/2025-06/12/2025
Perpetrator: POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polres Jayapura Officers
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence