28 August 2025

The Merdeka West Papua Support Network strongly condemns the ongoing crackdown on democracy activists in Papua, today, Wednesday, 27 August, in the town of Sorong, following the unlawful transfer of four Papuan political prisoners to Makassar District Court — a clear violation of Article 85 of Indonesia’s Criminal Procedure Code.

This unlawful transfer has sparked protests in Sorong in the past week where on 27 August, joint security forces carried out violent raids against civilians. Police opened fire and arbitrarily detained 19 pro-democracy activists, including Yan Manggarpouw and three others at 4pm local time. The raids still continue as the statement is being released to find key leaders such as Sayang Mandabayan. These mass arrests are part of a systematic pattern of state intimidation and harassment, aimed at silencing democratic voices and suppressing legitimate demands for justice in Papua.

The Merdeka West Papua Support Network calls for:

• The immediate and unconditional release of all 19 detained activists;
• An end to arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and harassment of pro-democracy leaders;
• Accountability for the unlawful actions of police and state institutions involved in these raids and the violation of Indonesia’s own legal code.

We urge the international community, civil society organisations, and human rights defenders to stand in solidarity with the people of Papua. The world must not remain silent as Papuan activists face systematic repression for exercising their democratic rights.

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