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Stomping of Steven Yadohamang

On Monday, 26 July 2021, a deaf Papuan man named Steven Yadohamang was assaulted by two Indonesian Air Force Military Police[1] from Johanes Abraham Dimara Air Base, Merauke Regency, Papua.[2] A video recording the incident went viral and sparked substantial national concern.[3][4] There are several versions circulating on the internet of how the incident began. The incident caused public outrage both in Indonesia and overseas, as well as leading to some high-ranking officials being fired.[5]

Incident

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The incident took place on Monday, 26 July, 2021 near Ngapak Bubur Warung, Jalan Raya Mandala, Mandala Village, Merauke, Papua. Military Police Serda Dimas and Prada Rian encountered a commotion at the Ngapak Porridge Shop. Serda Dimas and Prada Rian then approached Steven. They grabbed hold of Steven and forced his face down on the pavement, then they stepped on Steven's head. The military source said that Steven was drunk and extorting the seller. Both officers decided to intervene and stop the fight. They scolded Steven and pressed him down before one of them stepped on his head.[6]

However, according to some civilians at the scene, Steven was angry at the seller because the goods he received were not the same as those he ordered. Steven asked the seller to return his money. The vendor disagreed and insisted that Steven take the food.[7]

Reaction

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The video quickly went viral on the internet in Indonesia, being shared on WhatsApp and Twitter.[8][2] "Indonesian Air Force" became a trending topic on Indonesian Twitter shortly after.[9] Netizens condemned the incident, with some comparing it to murder of George Floyd.[10][11]

The Chief of Air Force Staff, Marshall Fadjar Prasetyo, apologized to the public for the incident.[12] The Indonesian Air Force Air Chief Marshall, Hadi Tjahjanto, fired the commander of Johanes Abraham Dimara Air Base and the commander of the base's police military unit and apologized to the public.[13] Papua Legal Aid (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Papua) condemned the incident and urged the government to fire both employees.[14] Human rights activist Veronica Koman stated that an apology was not enough and there should be a transparent civilian court ruling.[15] She threatened to bring the case to the United Nations if it is not prosecuted transparently in the civilian courts.[8]

The National Commission on Human Rights condemned the incident as well as reporting it to the commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces.[16] The Indonesian Armed Forces promised to persecute both men involved.[17] The alleged perpetrators are currently jailed in Merauke, awaiting further investigation of the case. It is not yet clear what kind of punishment both personnel will receive.[5] Indonesian NGO "Tim Advokasi" implored President Joko Widodo to apologize to the victims about the incident, and urged for a transparent investigation of the case.[16] After uploading a video of the incident, the Twitter account of Papuan journalist Victor Mambo disappeared.[16] The Governor of Papua province, Lukas Enembe, condemned the incident and asked Papuan people to pay attention to the incident's investigation.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "You are being redirected..." jubi.co.id. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  2. ^ a b Lamb, Kate; Costa, Agustinus. "Indonesia apologises for 'excessive force' against deaf Papuan man". Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. ^ Costa, Fabio Maria Lopes (28 July 2021). "LBH Papua Tuntut Pelaku Kekerasan terhadap Warga Difabel di Merauke Diberhentikan". Kompas. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. ^ Rabu (2021-07-28). "Kepala Steven Pria Tunawicara Papua Diinjak Oknum TNI AU, Dulu Obby Kogoya Juga Diinjak". indozone.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  5. ^ a b "Serda A dan Prada V, 2 Oknum TNI AU Penginjak Kepala Warga Merauke Papua Resmi Tersangka". iNews.ID (in Indonesian). 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  6. ^ "Duduk Perkara Kekerasan Tentara terhadap Warga di Merauke Versi TNI AU Halaman all". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  7. ^ Pangestu, Rio Rizky. "Kronologi Oknum Anggota TNI AU Injak Kepala Versi Warga, Bantah Korban Memeras Pedagang - Pikiran-Rakyat.com - Halaman 2". www.pikiran-rakyat.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  8. ^ a b "Veronica Koman Ancam Adukan RI ke PBB Kasus TNI Injak Kepala". nasional (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  9. ^ "TNI AU Trending Topic Usai Kasus Injak Kepala Warga Papua". teknologi (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  10. ^ "Injak Kepala di Papua, Netizen Ungkit Peristiwa George Floyd". teknologi (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  11. ^ "Trending Topic, Netizen Kutuk Aksi Oknum TNI AU yang Injak Kepala Warga di Papua - Poskota Sulsel". sulsel.poskota.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  12. ^ "KASAU Minta Maaf Atas Oknum Anggota TNI AU Lakukan Kekerasan Terhadap Warga di Merauke". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  13. ^ "Panglima TNI Marah saat Tahu Ternyata Korban Kekerasan Oknum TNI AU Disabilitas: Kenapa Tidak Peka". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  14. ^ "StackPath". suarapapua.com. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  15. ^ "Anggota TNI AU Injak Kepala Warga Papua, Veronica Koman: Tak Cukup Minta Maaf". 28 July 2021.
  16. ^ a b c "Ramai-ramai Kecam Prajurit TNI AU Injak Kepala di Papua". nasional (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  17. ^ "Komnas HAM: Panglima Janji Usut TNI Injak Kepala Warga Papua". nasional (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-07-28.
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