Jayapura, Jubi – Dozens of Cenderawasih University (Uncen) students had their identities checked by police, while several students’ mobile phones were temporarily confiscated before being returned.
The chair of Uncen’s Student Consultative Assembly (MPM), Wialo Silak, was also allegedly struck in the face, leaving bruising, redness and scratches. The incident reportedly occurred at the Jayapura City Police (Polresta Jayapura Kota) headquarters in Papua on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Imanus Komba, a legal aid officer with the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), raised concerns about the incident. He said the students had gone to the police station to accompany four Uncen Student Executive Council (BEM) members—identified by the initials YW, KB, AS and LT—who had been summoned for questioning over a protest marking the New York Agreement on 15 August 2026.
“Several students who came to accompany their colleagues were also asked to provide information and were questioned by police at the Jayapura City Police headquarters. Some students were also asked to show personal belongings, including mobile phones, identity cards and student cards,” Komba said in a statement received by Jubi on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
Komba said Silak had reported being struck in the face, causing a lump and an injury around his right eye.
He said the alleged assault should be followed up through an objective investigation to establish what happened, including the sequence of events, the people involved and the nature of the alleged actions.
“If an investigation and evidence establish that police officers used violence, those actions must be dealt with in accordance with the law and applicable accountability mechanisms,” he said.
Komba said he accompanied the four students during their police questioning and ensured the process was conducted safely, orderly and transparently, while respecting their legal and human rights.
“The questioning was related to the 15 August 2026 protest marking the New York Agreement. It took place from around 11am until 5.11pm Eastern Indonesia Time. The four students questioned were YW, the chair of the Uncen BEM, who was asked 40 questions; KB, 40 questions; AS, 49 questions; and LT, 35 questions,” he said.
Komba said the students’ decision to cooperate with the summons demonstrated their respect for the legal process, but that their cooperation should not be used as a reason to disregard their rights.
“Every questioning process must respect the right to legal assistance, the right to safety, the right to humane treatment, the right to privacy, and other rights guaranteed by law and human rights principles,” he said.
LBH Papua also reminded police that searches, questioning and the securing of personal belongings must be carried out under lawful authority and procedures, and must be necessary, proportionate and respectful of human dignity and human rights.
“Jayapura City Police ensure that all questioning of students is conducted in accordance with the law, applicable procedures and human rights principles. Every act of questioning, searching, confiscating or securing students’ personal belongings must be based on clear legal grounds and procedures and be accountable,” Komba said.
Uncen BEM chair Yuluku Wasiangge said four students had been summoned and questioned in connection with the New York Agreement commemoration.
“During the New York Agreement commemoration protest, the deputy chair of the Uncen BEM was hit by a rubber bullet, and there has not yet been any legal process. Now police have allegedly used violence against the chair of the Uncen MPM as well,” Wasiangge said.
“We will push for legal proceedings so that any violations committed by police are also dealt with. The law must not be strict against civilians but lenient towards law enforcement officers,” he said.
Jubi contacted the Jayapura City Police chief through a messaging application seeking a response to the allegations, but had not received a reply. (*)
