Papuan Students Protest over Dogiyai Case at Ministry of Human Rights
An alliance of Papuan students from the Anti-Militarism and Investment Front held a protest in front of the Ministry of Human Rights office in Jakarta on Monday, 11 May 2026. Around 50 demonstrators demanded that the government resolve the alleged case of police violence in Moanemani, Dogiyai Regency, which killed at least five indigenous Papuans at the end of March.
According to the protesters, cases of violence by law enforcement and military personnel have repeatedly spilled Papuan blood, yet the government has failed to investigate them. “The TNI and Polri are supposed to protect the people themselves, but the reality in Papua is that they are killers of our comrades!” said the on-site action coordinator, Oktowimelek Gobay, from atop the command vehicle.
On 30 March, the situation in Moanemani, Dogiyai Regency, was tense. The cause was the discovery of the body of Brigadir Dua Juventus Edowai in a ditch near Ebenezer Church in Moanemani. The Dogiyai Resort Police member was believed to have been killed by sharp weapon slashes.
Citing a Tempo report titled “A Tense Easter in Dogiyai” published on 6 April 2026, police searched Dogiyai residents’ settlements following the discovery of their member’s body. The police even opened fire, resulting in three deaths and several others injured.
One of the fatalities was a 70-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy. The woman was shot while cooking in the kitchen. The Papua National Human Rights Commission recorded five civilian deaths and one police personnel death.
However, the Anti-Militarism and Investment Front recorded a higher number of victims, namely eight civilians. They condemned the action and questioned the humanitarian side of the Polri institution.
Oktowimelek Gobay emphasised that what the Papuan people are experiencing does not align with the mandate of Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, which states that every citizen, including Papuan society, has the right to human rights protection.
The protesters also demanded that the government withdraw soldiers and police personnel stationed in Papua. Gobay stated that the root problems in Papua are economic inequality and political rights, so directing security forces is not the solution.
The demonstrators urged Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai to come out and meet them and provide real solutions. “Natalius Pigai, as a Papuan, must come out in front of the Papuan people. Like you, we demand justice!” said the deputy on-site action coordinator, Laban Jingga, from atop the command vehicle.