On 3 August 2026, Indonesian police forces repeatedly blocked and dispersed a peaceful demonstration organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at several locations in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. The protest, held under the theme "Papua: a Military and Humanitarian Emergency Zone", began at approximately 06:00 am and formed part of simultaneous KNPB demonstrations across West Papua and several other Indonesian cities. Jayapura-based human rights groups identified 33 protesters reportedly sustained injuries as a result of excessive police violence during the crackdown in Sentani, including blows to protesters' heads, backs, arms, hands and legs during the dispersals.
According to the information received, demonstrators began gathering at eight locations across Sentani, including Pasar Lama, Jalan Sosial, Pasar Baru, Kemiri, Pos 7, Sabron, Sereh and Toladan. Police officers reportedly began dispersing participants at Pasar Lama at approximately 06:45, before blocking or pushing back groups at several other gathering points throughout the morning. Hundreds of protesters subsequently converged around Pos 7, where the demonstration continued before further dispersal operations took place.
Police officers dispersed protesters using rubber batons, sticks, and tactical vehicles, preventing demonstrators from carrying out a planned march towards the Jayapura Regent's Office at Gunung Merah. Journalists reportedly heard several warning shots during the operation Protesters dispersed or attempted to evade pursuing officers (see videos below, source: independent HRDs and KNPB). Two participants were taken into custody and transported in a police crowd-control vehicle. Police had announced before the demonstration that approximately 1,000 joint TNI – police personnel would be deployed. Jayapura Police Chief Commissioner Dionisius Vox Dei Paron Helan had also stated before the protest that the police would not "permit" the KNPB demonstration because the organisation was not officially registered at the National Unity and Politics Agency (KESBANGPOL).
The dispersal also affected journalists covering the demonstration. Jubi journalist Silpester Kasipka reported that a police officer struck his mobile telephone while he was photographing officers attempting to place a protester inside a crowd-control vehicle on Ifar Gunung Road. A police officer had attacked Mr Kasipka, cracking the device's screen despite identifying himself as a journalist. The Papua Journalists' Association (AWP) and Jubi condemned the incident and called for an investigation. Following the incident, Commissioner Dionisius Vox Dei Paron Helan subsequently apologised publicly and stated that he would assume responsibility if an officer had caused damage to the journalist's equipment.
Human rights analysis
The events raise serious concerns regarding freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, protection from arbitrary detention and the use of force by law enforcement officials. Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects peaceful assemblies, while Articles 19 and 9 protect freedom of expression and liberty and security of person.
The available documentation does not establish whether organisers complied with the domestic requirement to notify police in advance. However, under the UN Human Rights Committee's General Comment No. 37, failure to comply with notification requirements does not by itself remove an assembly from the protection of Article 21 or justify forceful dispersal and detention. Authorities must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and dispersal should remain exceptional.
Any force used during an assembly must meet the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and non-discrimination. International standards require officers to exhaust non-violent means wherever possible, and only the minimum force necessary may be used. Video recordings showing police officers beating peaceful protesters without obvious reason raise serious concerns regarding lawful police conduct during the Sentani protest on 3 August 2026. Allegations of police officers beating participants should therefore be independently investigated, together with the circumstances and legal basis of the reported arrests.
The alleged interference with a journalist while covering the demonstration raises additional concerns under Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press and international standards protecting journalists. General Comment No. 37 specifically recognises the importance of journalists monitoring assemblies and states that they should not face harassment or have their equipment confiscated or damaged, even where an assembly is being dispersed. Accordingly, the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) should conduct a transparent investigation into the reported use of force by members of the Jayapura District Police, clarify the legal basis and duration of all detentions, ensure remedies for persons unlawfully injured or detained, and investigate the alleged interference with journalistic work.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-109-2026
Location: Sentani Kota, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-2.5685926, 140.5238784) Various locations across Sentani town
Region: Indonesia > Papua > Jayapura Regency > Sentani
Total number of victims: 33
1-33. diverse unknown
Period of incident: 03/08/2026-03/08/2026
Perpetrators:Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > Mobile Brigades (BRIMOB)Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polres Jayapura members
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence