Cases of Human Rights Violations

Over a three-month period spanning January to March 2026, multiple incidents across the Papua Provinces have raised serious concerns about the state of healthcare access for indigenous Papuans, not only in remote communities but also in urban areas.

On 25 March 2026, Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), members reportedly used excessive force against civilians during a community protest in Kaugapu Village, East Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in seven residents sustaining gunshot wounds from rubber bullets.

On 23 March 2026, Marine Corps (TNI AL) members arbitrarily detained Yuni Suhun, 23, and Mr Eliaton Wetapo, 31, at the marines’ post in the Kokamo Village, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province.

Members of a Marine Unit and the “Damai Cartens” 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.

Papuan Journalist Mr Mis Murib, affiliated with the Nadi Papua Media, was reportedly subjected to intimidation following the publication of an investigative report on illegal gold mining activities in the Siriwo upstream area, Nabire Regency.

On 28 March 2026, officers of the Nabire Police Intelligence and Criminal Investigation Units intercepted a group of activists associated with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) following a peaceful fundraising activity at Karang Tumaritis Market in Nabire Town.

On 10 March 2026, Members of the Indonesian Marine Corps arbitrarily detained indigenous gold panner, Mr Anton Payage, at the Marine Corps post on Seradala Road near the Nami River gold panning site.

On 22 March 2026 at approximately 5:00 pm, military members and Marine Corps personnel reportedly detained seven Papuan civilians, primarily pupils, in the Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua province.

On 12 March 2026, Indonesian security forces arbitrarily apprehended Mr Oksal Kobak, 28, Mr Yos Payage, 36, Mr Simion Payage, 29, Mr Menase Heluka, and Mr Oser Kobak at the Old Sentani Market in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.

Between 31 March and 1 April 2026, joint Indonesian security forces (TNI–Polri) allegedly carried out indiscriminate shootings against civilians in the districts Kamu and East Kamu, Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua Province. The operations were conducted in response to the killing of a police officer earlier that morning. At least six indigenous Papuans were reportedly killed, while at least two others sustained gunshot injuries

On 23 March 2026, Joint security forces allegedly detained and tortured Mr Yenus Mohi,19, together with two other young men in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province.

On 28 March 2026, undercover police officers allegedly detained Mr Kenias Payage, 25, Mr Atera Payage, 20, and Mr Nerry Heluka, 21, without showing a warrant. They were intercepted at the Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province.

On 29 March 2026, plain-cloth-police officers arbitrarily detained 14-year-old Yerikson Nabyal in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province.

On 16 March 2026, sixteen-year-old Rio Keroman, and Mr Ferly Wesapla, 23, were arbitrarily detainted and subsequently tortured by Indonesian security personnel at the District Police stat5ion in Dekai (Polres Yahukimo).

On 13 March 2025, a 30 Indonesian Air Force (TNI AURI) personnel collectively tortured Mr Bernadus Eusebius Ndawe, a member of the Kimam indigenous tribe, near the Indonesian Air Force barracks complex (Rajawali/AURI complex) in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province.

On 23 March 2026, military personnel allegedly tortured Mr Yusup Sorry, 32, during detention following an armed clash between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

On 2 March 2026, joint security force personnel conducted a search operation in the Telkomsel housing complex in Duram District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua province

On 17 March 2026 at approximately 10:00 am, joint security forces belonging to the Damai Cartenz Task Force arbitrarily detained 21-year-old Neri Balingga, a student at Cenderawasih University, on the Yahukimo–Pengunungan Bintang connecting road in the Nami village, Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province.

Between 16 and 19 March 2026, joint Indonesian military and police forces conducted security operations in the districts Fef and Bamus Bama, Tambrauw Regency, South West Papua province. Security force personnel reportedly detained at least 12 villagers without warrants.

Between 12 December 2025 and February 2026, a series of incidents of alleged shooting, vandalism, robbery, intimidation and continued harassment were reported at the home of Rev. Victor Kobak in Jalan Gunung, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province.