Members of the “Damai Cartens” police task force arbitrarily detained Mr Yominus Sekenil, 35, and Mr Eliaton Wetapo, 31, near the Nami River gold panning site in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province, on 22 March 2026. Security forces reportedly apprehended the two Papuan men without a warrant. The arrests appeared to be based on outer appearance and digital content found on the victims’ mobile phones. Both individuals remain in detention at the Yahukimo District Police headquarters (Polres Yahukimo) as of 10 April 2026, without clear legal grounds and access to legal counsel.
The circumstances of the arrests raise serious concerns under international human rights law. The failure to present an arrest warrant and the absence of clearly defined legal grounds both indicate arbitrary arrest. The reliance on subjective indicators, such as personal accessories and unspecified digital content, further indicates a lack of lawful basis, raising concerns regarding discriminatory or politically motivated profiling. The authorities’ failure to immediately disclose the victims’ whereabouts or ensure access to legal representation contravenes fundamental fair trial guarantees and due process rights. The lack of transparency surrounding their detention conditions and legal status is particularly concerning given the documented patterns of abuse in similar cases in the Dekai District.
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-052-2026
Location: 4J38+JV, Kokamu, Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8958868, 139.6171251) Bravo 3, Nami River, Dekai DIstrict
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 2
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Yominus Sekenil
male
35
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest
2.
1
Eliaton Wetapo
male
31
Indigenous Peoples
arbitrary arrest
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: Damai Cartenz Police Task Force
Issues: indigenous peoplesRelated Cases:
Alleged destruction of property and intimidation of a Papuan Pastor amid escalating security operations in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency
Arbitrary detention of Son Balingga at military headquarters in Dekai, Yahukimo
Arrests of KNPB members in Dekai, Yahukimo - 16 arbitrarily arrested
Joint security forces torture and arbitrarily arrest four KNPB activists in Dekai, Yahukimo
Police officers alleged of torturing indigenous Papuan to death in Dekai
Police arrest two minors in Dekai without a warrant
Military members detain gold panner without warrant in Dekai, Yahukimo
Ongoing series of arrests amidst deteriorating armed conflict in Dekai: Four Papuan girls arbitrarily detained including three minors