On 12 March 2026, Indonesian security forces arbitrarily apprehended five indigenous Papuans at the Old Sentani Market in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. The arrests were reportedly carried out without the presentation of warrants, and some individuals were subsequently designated as suspects. Only two of the detainees were released without charges on 13 March 2026. All detainees originate from the Yahukimo Regency and were reportedly beaten during detention.
According to the information received from local human rights defenders, security forces arrived at the Old Sentani Market in a vehicle at approximately 07:24 pm on 12 March 2026 and immediately apprehended five individuals. No explanation or legal documentation was provided at the time of arrest. The operation appeared indiscriminate, with individuals taken into custody without prior summons or evident criminal conduct.
While Mr Menase Heluka and Mr Oser Payage were reportedly released on 14 March 2026, others remained in detention. Families and community members had not received formal notification regarding the charges, legal basis for detention, or the physical condition of those detained as of 15 March 2026.
Human rights and legal analysis
The conduct of the detentrions raises substantial concerns under international human rights law. The failure to present arrest warrants, provide reasons for arrest, and ensure prompt access to legal counsel constitutes a violation of the right to liberty and security of person under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The apparent incommunicado detention further increases the risk of ill-treatment or torture, contrary to Article 7 ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT). The lack of transparency and denial of family access also contravenes fundamental safeguards against arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.
Under Indonesian law, the described actions violate provisions of the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which requires that arrests be based on sufficient preliminary evidence, accompanied by an arrest warrant (except in flagrante delicto situations. Moreover, detainees must be informed of the reasons for their arrest. The authorities are further obligated to notify families and ensure access to legal representation without delay.
Detailed Case Data
Location: CGJ3+FW5, Jl. Ps. Lama Sentani, Dobonsolo, Kec. Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua 99359, Indonesia (-2.568861, 140.5048707) Pasar Lama Sentani
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 5
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Oksal Baluke
male
29
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment
2.
1
Yos Payage
male
29
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment
3.
1
Semion Payage
male
29
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment
4.
1
Menase Heluka
male
23
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
5.
1
Oser Payage
male
19
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples