14 Mar 2019

Call for Papua police investigation after sex worker shaming

4:16 pm on 14 March 2019

An Indonesian rights group is calling for police in Papua to be investigated for shaming sex workers.

Police say a  dispute over payment was behind the attack on sex worker.

Photo: File picture - AFP

On Monday, 11 women engaging in prostitution in the Highlands town of Wamena were reportedly dunked in a muddy "repentance" pool by police.

Sex workers are widely condemned in conservative Indonesia but red-light districts are common and sometimes regulated.

The Institute for Criminal Justice Reform condemned the treatment of the women in Wamena, saying police had violated laws.

It says their actions amounted to arbitrary and inhuman torture.

In a statement on Tuesday, ICJR said the National Police Chief should investigate the officers involved, and that the Home Affairs Minister should also look at the actions of the local regent.