Wednesday, June 4, 2025

1) Papuan Students Deliver 7 Urgent Demands to Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai


2) Police officers torture and arbitrarily arrest Papuan man in Nabire while denying medical treatment during detention

3) Energy Minister to Evaluate Nickel Mines in Raja Ampat 
4) Village cooperatives target economic justice in Papua: Minister  


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1) Papuan Students Deliver 7 Urgent Demands to Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai 

 Reporter M. Rizki Yusrial
 June 4, 2025 | 12:23 pm




TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dozens of people claiming to be students from Papua held a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Human Rights, located in South Jakarta on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The demonstration demanded the government to prosecute the Indonesian military for killing civilians in Papua

They demanded to meet with Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai. Tempo's observation on the ground around 01:30 PM showed that the negotiation between the demonstrators and Pigai's staff was difficult. This was because Pigai would only respond if a representative of the demonstrators met with him inside the Ministry of Human Rights office.

At around 03:00 PM, six representatives of the demonstrators finally met with Pigai inside the Ministry of Human Rights office. They talked for almost 1.5 hours about resolving the conflict in Papua.

The demands of the demonstrators are as follows.

1. The state must immediately investigate civilian casualties and apprehend and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations committed by the Indonesian military in Intan Jaya Regency and throughout Papua.

2. The state must promptly establish an independent investigation team to look into human rights violations from 2018 to 2025 in Intan Jaya Regency.

3. The state must urgently arrange the repatriation of civilians who are currently displaced in forests and other locations, including Timika, Nabire, and nearby areas.

4. We, the Papuan students and residents of Intan Jaya, strongly oppose the planned gold mining activities in Block B Wabu, Intan Jaya Regency, owned by PT Antam Tbk.

5. The state must immediately remove military posts located in Hitadipa District, Sugapa Lama Village, Jaindapa Village, and Titigi Village in Intan Jaya Regency.

6. The state must withdraw all non-organic military forces from Intan Jaya Regency and the entire Papua region without delay.

7. The state must stop deploying non-organic military forces to Intan Jaya Regency and all parts of Papua immediately.

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/torture-and-arbitrary-detention-by-police-officers-in-nabire/

2) Police officers torture and arbitrarily arrest Papuan man in Nabire while denying medical treatment during detention

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 3 June 2025 
On 17 April 2025, in the afternoon, a young Papuan man named Nando Mote was subjected to arbitrary arrest, extrajudicial physical assault, and inhuman and degrading treatment by members of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in Nabire Town, Papua Tengah Province. The acts of torture occurred near the Sriwini Bawa intersection and later at the Nabire Police Station (Polres Nabire), following a police sweep operation. Police officers reportedly pursued Nando Mote and shot him in the right calf with a rubber bullet without prior warning or explanation. He was severely beaten with rifle butts and wooden sticks. The abuse continued while in detention, where he was subjected to intimidation and humiliating treatment while police officers denied adequate and timely medical care.
According to Nando’s testimony, he and a male companion were driving a motorcycle when they encountered a group of armed police officers conducting an unannounced operation at the Sriwini Bawa intersection. Panicking after officers shouted and gave chase, they attempted to flee. Upon reaching the back of the local correctional facility, Nando dismounted and surrendered with raised hands. Despite his clear signs of non-resistance, approximately six to seven police officers assaulted him physically, striking him twice in the face with rifle butts and subsequently shooting him in the leg with a rubber bullet without provocation (see photos below, source: Tadah News.com). He was then forcibly dragged into a police vehicle, further beaten, and accused of a robbery he knew nothing about. The acts of torture appeared to be a punishment for Nando’s attempt to flee.
During the ride to the police station, officers continued the abuse, pressing their boots against his head and repeatedly striking him with a bamboo stick. At the Nabire Police Station, despite his visibly bleeding leg wound and bruised face, Nando was denied immediate medical attention. Police officers only brought him to the police clinic after other detainees protested the negligence. At the clinic, a staff member sutured his wound without removing the bullet and without proper diagnostic procedures. Nando was later taken to Sriwini General Hospital, where an X-ray was performed. However, he was never informed about the results. Instead, a police officer claimed there was no bullet projectile in his leg and falsely stated that the injury was caused by an unknown perpetrator, despite Nando’s clear statement that the police themselves had fired the shot.
Nando was returned to the Nabire Police Station detention cell, where he remained for 19 days without adequate medical treatment, food, or legal assistance. For the first five days, the only care he received came from fellow detainees who cleaned his bleeding wound using their drinking water. Painkillers prescribed by the clinic were withheld by the police after the first day, and when Nando screamed in agony due to fever, infection, and pus, officers made cruel remarks, such as, “It’s far from the heart” and “You’ll get better.” On the tenth day, a fellow detainee and former hospital worker manually pressed Nando’s wound, extracting rubber bullet fragments. Despite the arrest of the actual suspect on the eighth day, Nando continued to be detained under contradictory justifications, passed between police units in a bureaucratic blame game. Only after his mother received a letter smuggled out through a visitor (see letter below, source: Tadah News.com) did the family learn of his Nando’s condition and whereabouts. On 4 May, accompanied by a lawyer, the family secured his release. Nando was allowed to leave Polres Nabire on 5 May 2025.
The incident constitutes multiple grave violations of human rights as protected under international and Indonesian law, including the right to liberty and security of person (Article 9, ICCPR), the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7, ICCPR; Convention Against Torture), and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The use of force against a surrendered and unarmed individual, coupled with the denial of appropriate medical care by law enforcement personnel, reflects a systemic culture of impunity and racial discrimination against indigenous Papuans. The Indonesian government must reaffirm its commitment to non-discrimination, accountability, and human dignity, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as West Papua.

Bullet wound on Nando Mote’s right leg (left) and letter smuggled out of Polres Nabire to inform relatives about his condition and whereabouts


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3) Energy Minister to Evaluate Nickel Mines in Raja Ampat 
Reporter Nandito Putra June 4, 2025 | 07:30 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that he will evaluate several nickel mines operating in the Regency of Raja Ampat. Bahlil responded to the expansion of mining activities in the area known for its rich marine ecosystem.

He mentioned that he will soon call the owners of the mining companies. "I will summon the permit holders, whether state-owned or private, to conduct an evaluation," said Bahlil to journalists at JCC Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.


Bahlil stated that apart from evaluation, he is also considering proposals to build a smelter in Raja Ampat. According to him, a thorough environmental impact analysis is required before constructing a smelter. "In Papua, similar to Aceh, there is special autonomy. So, the treatment is also special," he said.

The presence of nickel mines in Raja Ampat has drawn criticism from Greenpeace Indonesia. The criticism was conveyed by several Greenpeace activists at the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo at Hotel Pullman on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Kiki Taufik, the Global Head of Greenpeace Forest Campaign for Indonesia, stated that the criticism of nickel mining expansion aims to protect the environment and ecosystem of Raja Ampat. He warned that if mining activities continue to expand, the Raja Ampat region will experience similar damage to other nickel-producing areas.

Kiki mentioned the destructive impacts of the nickel industry in several areas such as Halmahera, Wawonii, and Kabaena. Now, similar activities are beginning to spread to Raja Ampat. "Currently, there are five islands that are starting to be exploited.

However, this region is a global geopark and the most popular underwater tourism destination. About 75 percent of the world's best coral reefs are located in Raja Ampat, and they are now beginning to be damaged," he said.

Greenpeace's investigation last year found mining activities on Gag Island, Kawe Island, and Manuran Island. These islands are classified as small islands that should not be mined according to Law Number 1 of 2014 regarding the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands.

Greenpeace's analysis showed that mining activities on these islands have caused damage to more than 500 hectares of natural forests and vegetation. Field documentation also showed soil runoff flowing to the coast, causing dangerous sedimentation to coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

In addition to Gag, Kawe, and Manuran Islands, two other small islands threatened by mining activities are Batang Pele Island and Manyaifun Island. Both are located about 30 kilometers from Piaynemo, an iconic karst hill cluster depicted on the Indonesian Rp100,000 banknote.

"We urge the Indonesian government to immediately stop and revoke all mining concession permits in Raja Ampat, especially on the five islands that are currently threatened," said Kiki.

Annisa Febiola contributed to the writing of this article.


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4) Village cooperatives target economic justice in Papua: Minister  
June 3, 2025 16:09 GMT+700


Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Red and White Village Cooperatives program could serve as an effective measure to realize economic justice nationwide, including in Papua Province, according to Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Minister Yandri Susanto.

Supporting this view, he expressed confidence that such business entities would help shorten the production and distribution chains of essential goods and services.

Susanto made these remarks during an event on preparations for the national program’s implementation in Papua, held at the Office of the Papua Governor in Jayapura City on Monday (June 2).

"Our farmers tend to fall victim to long distribution chains that disproportionately benefit middlemen. This practice often results in losses for rice and chili farmers. Therefore, the village cooperatives program is expected to cut these chains," he noted in a statement cited here on Tuesday.

Related news: RI Govt says village co-ops will help bring down extreme poverty

The minister described the initiative as a step toward building a more stable and equitable economic environment by ensuring fair prices for food commodities at the village level.

"Hopefully, the establishment of Red and White Village Cooperatives in Papua will help reduce price disparities, which are particularly severe in this region," he stated.

He also noted that the government had issued Presidential Decree No. 9 of 2025 to accelerate the formation of Red and White Village Cooperatives.

Susanto further emphasized that these cooperatives could shield rural communities from exploitative middlemen and predatory loan sharks.

"We cannot allow loan sharks to exploit the people with high or daily interest rates, which essentially only cause harm," he stressed.

According to the plan, President Prabowo Subianto will launch Red and White Village Cooperatives nationwide on July 12 this year, coinciding with National Cooperatives Day. 

Related news: Prabowo plans village cooperatives as basic necessities' hubs



Translator: Tri M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution


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