On 7 October 2026, two intelligence officers affiliated with the Strategic Intelligence Agency of the Indonesian Armed Forces (Badan Intelijen Strategis, BAIS) visited the rented accommodation of the local Secretary-General of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB), Mr Yoseph Novaris Wogan Apay, 42, in the Almasuh area, Merauke Regency, Papua Selatan Province.
According to information provided by KNPB, the officers questioned him about KNPB activities, planned demonstrations and several individuals, requested his mobile telephone number and asked to take photographs with him (see photos below, source: KNPB). The KNPB representative nevertheless regarded the visit as an act of intimidation directed against KNPB members and other activists advocating for the rights of Papuans.
According to Mr Apay, the two intelligence officers arrived at his rented accommodation in the Almasuh area at approximately 07:20 am. One of the two officers had allegedly visited the accommodation several weeks earlier together with another person. During that earlier visit, the visitors reportedly stated that they were affiliated with the BAIS.
When Mr Apay asked the officers about the purpose of the visit on 7 October, they reportedly said that they had merely come for a courtesy visit. During the subsequent conversation, the officers asked whether the KNPB remained active in Merauke Regency and whether the organisation was planning any demonstrations. The KNPB representative responded that the organisation remained active but that no protest action was currently planned. He reportedly explained that any future activities instructed by the KNPB leadership would be implemented according to local circumstances and that activities involving public facilities would be formally notified to the police as required under Indonesian law.
The officers also reportedly asked the KNPB representative about several individuals and further asked about the KNPB representative's employment. They subsequently requested his mobile telephone number, which he declined to provide. The officers proposed meeting again at a coffee shop to continue the discussion. Mr Apay declined, citing personal commitments. Before leaving, the officers reportedly requested that a group photograph be taken with him.
Human rights analysis
Repeated visits by security or intelligence personnel to the private residence of a political activist, combined with questioning about organisational activities, demonstrations, associates and personal contact information, may have an intimidating effect and warrant scrutiny where there is no clear legal basis or legitimate operational necessity for such conduct.
The incident is particularly relevant in the context of the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of association. Articles 19, 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protect political expression, peaceful assembly and association. Any restrictions on these rights must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate objective recognised under the Covenant and satisfy the requirements of necessity and proportionality.
Article 17 ICCPR further protects individuals against arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy, family and home. Visits by intelligence or security personnel to a person's private residence, requests for personal contact information and questioning concerning political associations may engage this protection where such measures amount to surveillance or interference without an adequate legal basis or appropriate safeguards.
The fact that the questions concerned political activities and potential demonstrations is significant. Peaceful political advocacy, including advocacy for self-determination or criticism of government policy, falls within the scope of protected expression under international human rights law. Security authorities should therefore ensure that intelligence-gathering activities do not have the purpose or effect of discouraging lawful political expression or peaceful civic participation.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-145-2026
Location: GC54+GR9, Kelapa Lima, Merauke, Merauke Regency, South Papua 99614, Indonesia (-8.4912047, 140.4071232) Almasuh area
Region: Indonesia > South Papua > Merauke > Merauke
Total number of victims: 1
1. Yoseph Novaris Wogan Apay, male 42 Activist, Indigenous Peoples intimidation
Period of incident: 07/10/2026-07/10/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Perpetrator details: Strategic Intelligence Agency of the Indonesian Armed Forces (Badan Intelijen Strategis, BAIS)
Issues: indigenous peoples