Human Rights Monitor
1) Police members torture journalist in Sorong – Family demands justice
On 29 December 2024, Mr Rabin Marselino Yarangga, a journalist, was attacked by a mob at Remu Market in Sorong, Papua Barat Daya Province, after being mistakenly accused of theft. Severely injured, Mr Yarangga was brought to Sorong City Police Station, where three police officers tortured him during detention. The collective beatings during the mob attack and police detention left Mr Rabin Yarangga with a laceration requiring 13 stitches, a suspected arm fracture, and emotional trauma (see photos below, source: Suara Papua).
The incident occurred after Mr Yarangga and his brother visited relatives near the Remu Market around 4:00 pm. While retrieving his parked motorcycle, he was falsely accused of theft and chased by a mob who struck him with wooden objects. The mob handed Mr Yarangga to police officers who brought him to the Sorong City Police Station at 05:00 pm. Despite his injuries, police officers reportedly continued punching and kicking him at the police station. They only stopped the torture after Mr Yarangga gave his press card to the officers. Mr Yarangga’s ordeal as police officers brought Mr Rabin Yarangga to Sele Be Solu Hospital, where they left him in a room without being reported to the duty officer. Apart from being battered, Mr Yarangga lost his wallet and cell phone.
Mr Yarangga and his relatives condemned the inhumane treatment and called for the perpetrators—both the mob and the police officers—to be held accountable. The family has reported the case to police authorities to demand justice. Sorong City Police Chief, Commissioner Happy Perdana Yudianto, stated that the allegations of police violence will be investigated by the Internal Profession and Security Unit (Propam).
On 29 December 2024, Mr Rabin Marselino Yarangga, a journalist, was attacked by a mob at Remu Market in Sorong, Papua Barat Daya Province, after being mistakenly accused of theft. Severely injured, Mr Yarangga was brought to Sorong City Police Station, where three police officers tortured him during detention. The collective beatings during the mob attack and police detention left Mr Rabin Yarangga with a laceration requiring 13 stitches, a suspected arm fracture, and emotional trauma (see photos below, source: Suara Papua).
The incident occurred after Mr Yarangga and his brother visited relatives near the Remu Market around 4:00 pm. While retrieving his parked motorcycle, he was falsely accused of theft and chased by a mob who struck him with wooden objects. The mob handed Mr Yarangga to police officers who brought him to the Sorong City Police Station at 05:00 pm. Despite his injuries, police officers reportedly continued punching and kicking him at the police station. They only stopped the torture after Mr Yarangga gave his press card to the officers. Mr Yarangga’s ordeal as police officers brought Mr Rabin Yarangga to Sele Be Solu Hospital, where they left him in a room without being reported to the duty officer. Apart from being battered, Mr Yarangga lost his wallet and cell phone.
Mr Yarangga and his relatives condemned the inhumane treatment and called for the perpetrators—both the mob and the police officers—to be held accountable. The family has reported the case to police authorities to demand justice. Sorong City Police Chief, Commissioner Happy Perdana Yudianto, stated that the allegations of police violence will be investigated by the Internal Profession and Security Unit (Propam).
Mr Marselino Yarangga receiving medical treatment at the Sele Be Solu Hospital in Sorong (source: Suara Papua)
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2) Environmental activist beaten in Teluk Bintuni Regency: Perpetrators allegedly police officers
On 20 December 2024, Mr Sulfianto Alias, director of the NGO Panah Papua, was beaten by a group of individuals in multiple locations in Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat Province. One of the perpetrators allegedly identified himself as a police officer. Mr Sulfianto suffered severe injuries, including head lacerations, facial bruises, and swelling in his stomach and back (see photos on top and bottom, Sources: Suara Papua and Jubi). The motive for the assault remains unclear, though it appears linked to political inquiries about Mr Sulfianto’s support for a regional candidate.
The incident occurred at midnight outside the Cenderawasih Cafe in Bintuni, where Mr Sulfianto was attacked by a group of men. Despite attempting to escape, he was cornered in a bathroom and beaten repeatedly with fists, a wooden stick, and stones. He was then coerced onto a motorcycle under the pretext of being taken to the police station. Instead, he was brought to a secluded forested area in Tanah Merah, where the assailants interrogated Mr Sulfianto, demanded access to his phone, and tortured him again. The attackers left him injured at a third location, where he eventually managed to find help and was taken to a hospital.
Mr Sulfianto and his relatives have called for justice, urging authorities to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The Teluk Bintuni police have initiated an investigation following Mr Sulfianto’s official report. Mr Roy Marthen Masyewi, a local legislator, condemned the attack and demanded immediate legal action. The case highlights the urgency for transparency and accountability in addressing violence against environmental and human rights defenders in West Papua.
3) Shooting on Christmas Eve in Dogiyai Regency – Security forces alleged of opening fire at residents
On 24 December 2024, Mr Febrian Agapa, 20, was seriously injured after being shot at close range by the driver of a vehicle from a convoy escorted by security forces. The incident occurred during a confrontation between residents and a convoy of vehicles passing through the area in Idakebo Village, Dogiyai Regency, Papua Tengah Province. Tensions escalated after initial shots were fired from the convoy, sparking outrage among the residents. A security force member reportedly fired directly at Mr Agapa’s head, injuring his lower lip.
The incident unfolded around 5:00 pm, as a group of residents blocked the road connecting Moanemani with the regencies Paniai and Deiyai, prompting the convoy to stop. It is not clear why the men blocked the road, but all were reportedly intoxicated. Thereupon, several shots were released from inside the truck. Following the shots angry residents retaliated by throwing stones while the truck was passing through the location.
The situation further intensified when two more vehicles approached the location shortly after. Again, residents attempted to block the vehicles, but the driver responded by firing multiple shots. A grazing shot injured Mr Agapa’s lower lip, causing severe injury. The security forces continued firing as they left the site of the incident, leaving Mr Agapa gravely wounded (see photo below, source: independent HRDs).
Mr Agapa and his relatives demand accountability and justice for the incident calling for an immediate investigation into the shooting and for the perpetrators to be prosecuted. Local communities and human rights organisations have urged the security forces to ensure restraint and prioritize dialogue.
Incidents of armed violence against civilians have significantly increased in the Dogiyai Regency in December 2024. Another shooting incident involving the Indonesian military (TNI) occurred in the Dogiyai Regency on 16 December 2024. Three civilians were reportedly injured during the incident.
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