Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Jakarta (LBH, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute) has released a report based on testimony collected on location by members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and Papuan Students Alliance (AMP). The information has been verified by Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) to be consistent with its own telephone witness interviews. The number of people arrested is consistent with local media reports.
On 15 June 2016, thousands of West Papuans conducted peaceful demonstrations simultaneously in Jayapura, Sentani, Wamena, Manokwari, Merauke, Sorong, Fakfak, Yalimo, Paniai, Nabire, Yahukimo and Malang. The demonstrations were held in support of the ULMWP to be recognized as a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and to reject the human rights investigation team formed by Indonesian state which they deem not impartial.
In total, 1,168 West Papuans were unlawfully arrested in just one day which is on 15 June 2016. The details are as follows: 100 people in Wamena, 1,004 people in Sentani, 32 people in Malang and 4 people in Nabire. Children also got arrested in Sentani. Civil militia was present in Malang to intimidate Papuan student protestors. One man was briefly kidnapped and beaten in Sentani. People arrested on 13 June 2016 in Sentani were beaten by police.
All were released which shows that the unlawful arrest was done to prevent West Papuans to express their opinions.
Read the full report here
