Thursday, February 19, 2026

1) Ongoing series of arrests amidst deteriorating armed conflict in Dekai: Four Papuan girls arbitrarily detained including three minors

 



2) Keeping malaria treatment effective in Papua through monitoring today to protect tomorrow 

3) Indonesia Extends Freeport's Mining Permits in Papua to 2041  
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Human Rights Monitor


1) Ongoing series of arrests amidst deteriorating armed conflict in Dekai: Four Papuan girls arbitrarily detained including three minors

19 February 2026 / 5 minutes of reading




On 18 February 2026, members of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force (Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade) and the Habema Operation Task Force (Indonesian National Armed Forces–Marines) arbitrarily detained four Papuan girls at Kilometer 5, Dekai City, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. The victims are Mrs Mira Silip, 19, Emeri Kobak, 12, Neti Silip, 13, and Silfa Kobak, 7, all ethnic Yali originating from Sumo District, Yahukimo Regency. According to available information, no arrest warrants were shown and no access to legal counsel was provided at the time of arrest.
On the evening of 17 February 2026, from approximately 8:00 pm, joint security forces patrolled Dekai and carried out random identity checks across Dekai City. Residents were stopped in public spaces, and their belongings and motor vehicles were searched. Officers reportedly focused on checking for sharp objects. Several residents were instructed to report to the Yahukimo Police Station for further questioning, while others were detained without showing a warrant.
From around 12:00 am on 18 February 2026 until the early morning hours, joint forces reportedly searched several housing complexes in Dekai. At approximately 06:30 am, four civilians were arrested at Kilometer 5, Dekai City. Among those detained were three children aged 7, 12 and 13 years.
On the previous night, 17 February 2026, two young men had already been arrested in the Block B shop house area on the grounds that their homes were located near the site of an alleged arson incident. They were found in possession of lighters and knives and were subsequently detained as suspects of the shop house arson. Some sources allege that they were also accused of being involved in the shooting of a pilot and co-pilot in the Korowai Batu area earlier this month. The Korowai Batu is geographically distant from Dekai, raising serious concerns regarding the evidentiary basis and logical coherence of the allegations.

Pattern of repeated arbitrary arrests in Dekai

The present case forms part of a broader and ongoing pattern of arbitrary arrests and short-term detentions in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. In recent months, security forces have repeatedly conducted search operations targeting residents, Papuan youth and activists, including members or alleged members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
Previous documented cases in Dekai describe similar practices: Arrests without clear warrants, short-term detentions at military or police posts, interrogations concerning alleged links to armed groups, and releases without formal charges. These incidents have involved both police and military personnel and have often been justified by vague references to the deteriorating security situation in Dekai or alleged affiliations with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
The arrests in February 2026 occurred against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Yahukimo Regency. On 17 February 2026, the Yahukimo Regency Government formally ordered the closure of hospital facilities and health services, including the Yahukimo Regional Public Regional Hospital (RSUD). On 18 February 2026 patients were reportedly discharged after medical staff refused to work amid escalating tensions. A meeting between the Yahukimo Police and business representatives on 17 February 2026 resulted in the reintroduction of restrictive kiosk closing hours and the discussion of possible curfews and additional guard posts, reflecting heightened security measures. On the evening of 18 February 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) established a post and began guarding the BERAZA health centre in Dekai, reportedly refusing requests from church and health officials to withdraw. Since midday, security forces have been deployed to guard hospitals, community health centres, schools, and offices, contributing to a climate of fear among the civilian population.
Meanwhile, the TPNPB released a statement in which they declared the Yahukimo regency a combat zone, calling upon all government workers and Non-Papuan civilians to leave Yahukimo, immediately. These developments take place within the broader context of the protracted armed political conflict between TPNPB and security forces, which has intensified in the period 2021–2026 and continues to expose civilians in Yahukimo Regency to significant protection risks.

Human rights analysis

The alleged detention of the four youth raise serious concerns under international human rights law and Indonesian domestic law.
First, the apparent absence of arrest warrants and the failure to promptly inform the detainees of the reasons for their arrest may constitute violations of the right to liberty and security of person and the prohibition of arbitrary arrest. Under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party, any deprivation of liberty must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Second, the arrest and detention of minors, particularly a child aged seven, raises grave concerns under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which requires that detention of children be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. The absence of legal assistance and child-sensitive procedures further suggests non-compliance with juvenile justice standards.
Third, night-time sweeping operations and house-to-house searches conducted between 00:00 and 06:30 WP may amount to interference with the right to privacy and family life, particularly where conducted without judicial authorisation or clear legal grounds. This right is protected under Article 17of the ICCPR.
The attribution of serious criminal responsibility for an alleged shooting in Korowai Batu to individuals located in Dekai, without publicly available evidence and despite significant geographical distance, raises concerns regarding the presumption of innocence and the risk of criminalisation based on proximity or ethnic and political profiling.

All patinets and medical staff left the Yahukimo Regional Public Regional Hospital (RSUD), 18 February 2026

Security forces increased patrols in Dekai and deployed additional personnel to secure health facilities and government offices in Dekai, 18 February 2026

Detailed Case Data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) Kilo 5
Total number of victims: 4
#Number of VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 Mira Silip
female19 Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary detention
2.1 Emeri Kobak
female12 Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary detention
3.1 Neti Silip
female13 Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary detention
4.1 Silfa Kobak
female7 Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary detention
Period of incident: 18/02/2026 – 18/02/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children


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2) Keeping malaria treatment effective in Papua through monitoring today to protect tomorrow 
 19 February 2026 Highlights

Malaria remains a serious health threat in Greater Papua, where many communities live in areas with year-round transmission. Each year, Greater Papua’s six provinces account for over 90% of malaria cases in Indonesia. The main medicines used to cure malaria, known as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), have saved many lives. However, malaria parasites are gradually becoming less sensitive to these medicines in some parts of the world. If this happens in Indonesia, the medicines may lose their effectiveness, endangering patients and accelerating disease spread.

Indonesia has previously witnessed significant shifts in malaria drug performance. Before 2004, chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine were the standard treatments. As antimicrobial resistance increased, these medicines failed to cure sufficient numbers of patients, prompting a transition to ACTs. In 2010, authorities adopted dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ) as the first-line treatment. Regular monitoring ensures that national malaria treatment policy remains aligned with changes in parasite resistance.

From August 2024 to October 2025, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), provincial and district health offices, Hasanuddin University, and the National Research and Innovation Agency, conducted a therapeutic efficacy study in Keerom and Kepulauan Yapen districts, Papua. Following WHO protocols, researchers examined more than 700 malaria patients. The study assessed three medicines: DHA-PPQ, artesunate-pyronaridine (ASPY) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL).


The findings were encouraging. No delayed parasite clearance occurred, meaning the medicines eliminated malaria parasites from the blood within expected timeframes. No serious adverse events were reported, and all three medicines maintained high effectiveness, with only a small number of patients experiencing persisting malaria symptoms. Scientists are now examining these few cases using molecular methods to determine whether they represent genuine resistance or new infections.

For Indonesia, these findings provide strong local evidence to confirm the continued use of DHA-PPQ as first-line treatment. They also guide the selection of effective second-line options such as ASPY and AL if treatment failure increases in specific areas. For communities in Papua, this means treatments that remain effective, faster recovery, fewer complications and better protection against ongoing transmission.

Work continues to analyse resistance markers in malaria parasites and distinguish reinfection from genuine treatment failure. Sentinel sites in Papua and other priority provinces will remain essential for tracking changes in drug performance. Through this collaboration, WHO and national partners are strengthening laboratory capacity and clinical monitoring, enabling Indonesia to respond swiftly should resistance patterns change.

This activity is supported by The Global Fund.


Written by Ajib Diptyanusa, National Consultant (Malaria and Vector-Borne Diseases), and Budiarto, National Professional Officer (HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually-Transmitted Infections), WHO Indonesia

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3) Indonesia Extends Freeport's Mining Permits in Papua to 2041  
Reporter Nandito Putra February 
19, 2026 | 02:38 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The American mining company, Freeport-McMoRan, has announced an agreement with the Indonesian Government to extend the operating rights of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in Papua until 2041. The agreement is outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding that governs the continuation of operations in the Grasberg Mineral District.

Under the agreement, the Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) of PTFI will be amended to extend the operating rights until the life of the mine reserves. This change strengthens the Grasberg mine's legal certainty for the next two decades.

he Chair of Freeport's Board of Directors, Richard C. Adkerson, expressed his appreciation for the long-term partnership with the Indonesian Government. He stated that the Grasberg mining operation in Papua has provided significant benefits to all stakeholders over the past six decades.

"And this extension will open opportunities to continue creating significant value for all parties in one of the largest copper and gold reserves in the world," said Adkerson, as quoted from the written statement on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

However, this extension is still awaiting the issuance of the revised IUPK by the Indonesian Government. PTFI stated that it will soon complete the application process for the permit extension in accordance with the provisions agreed upon in the MoU.

In addition to licensing aspects, Freeport also stated additional commitments to the Papua community. The company will provide additional social support, including funding for the construction of a new hospital and two medical education facilities. In the upstream sector, PTFI plans to increase exploration budgets and expedite studies to discover new resources and long-term expansion opportunities.

On the downstream side, the company emphasized its priority to prioritize refining and selling products domestically, including processed copper, precious metals, sulfuric acid, and other derivative products. According to market mechanisms, Freeport also sees the opportunity to expand the marketing of refined copper to the United States if demand increases in that country.

The agreement also regulates changes in the share ownership structure. In 2041, Freeport will transfer an additional 12 percent of PTFI shares to the government at no cost. This transfer comes with the provision of proportional investment cost reimbursement, which will continue to provide benefits based on book value after 2041. Freeport will hold 48.76 percent of PTFI shares until 2041, after which that portion will decrease to around 37 percent.

The company ensures that the governance structure, operations, and provisions in the current shareholder agreements and IUPK will be maintained throughout the life of the mining reserves.

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Tuesday, February 17, 2026

1) Arbitrary detention of two Papuan youth in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency: One is still a minor

 


2) Military members torture Papuan labourer at PSN site in Ilwayab District, Merauke

3) Indonesia Tightens Papua Security After Shootings 

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Human Rights Monitor

https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/arbitrary-detention-of-two-papuan-youth-in-dekai-yahukimo-regency/

1) Arbitrary detention of two Papuan youth in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency: One is still a minor

17 February 2026 / 3 minutes of reading
On 14 February 2026, a joint team of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Yahukimo District Police (Polres Yahukimo) officers arbitrarily detained seventeen-year-old Elipianus Esema and Atios Sobolim,18, in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. The arrests occurred in the vicinity of Block B shop houses following a fire incident earlier that evening. Both victims had reportedly left their homes near Blocks A and B to observe the fire. As of 15 February 2026, they remained in detention at Yahukimo Police Station.
On 14 February 2026, at approximately 9:30 pm, a fire broke out in Block B of Dekai. At approximately 10:15 pm, residents gathered to extinguish the fire. At around 10:30 pm joint security force officers were patrolling in the area, indiscriminately checking persons near the location. Officers arbitrarily detained Elipianus Esema and Mr Atios Sobolim at 10:40 pm. Authorities claimed that they were carrying a knife and a lighter at the time of arrest.
On 15 February 2026, relatives visited Yahukimo Police Station to seek clarification. The Deputy Chief of Police informed them that Elipianus and Mr Sobolim were under investigation for possession of the knife and lighter in connection with the arson incident. Both remained in custody on suspicion of involvement in the burning of Block B shop houses.
At 2:50 pm, joint security forces searched houses in the Pulau Complex, where the two detainees reside. Officers reportedly used five vehicles, forcibly entered homes, and confiscated cultural items such as traditional bows, arrows, traditional woven net bags (Noken), as well as machetes, axes, and shovels that all Papuans use for daily gardening work. Relatives and community members described the operation as an act of psychological intimidation intended to justify the earlier arrests.

Human rights analysis

The arrest and continued detention of Elipianus Esema and Mr Atios Sobolim raise serious concerns regarding violations of the right to liberty and security of person. Under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party, no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. Arrests must be based on reasonable suspicion supported by objective evidence.
The reported reliance on possession of ordinary household or subsistence tools as grounds for arrest appears manifestly disproportionate and insufficient to establish reasonable suspicion of participation in the alleged arson. The absence of clear evidence at the time of arrest suggests arbitrariness. Moreover, the detention of a 17-year-old minor, Elipianus Esema, additionally triggers protections under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), requiring detention to be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
Allegations of coercive interrogation practices at Yahukimo Police Station, including threats, forced confessions, and acts amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, if substantiated, would constitute grave violations of Article 7 ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT). Any confession obtained under torture or coercion is inadmissible under international human rights law and Indonesian criminal procedure law (KUHAP). The sweeping operation conducted on 15 February 2026 further raises concerns regarding the right to privacy and protection from arbitrary or unlawful interference with one’s home under Article 17 ICCPR. Confiscation of lawful work tools and cultural items without proper legal basis may also amount to unlawful seizure of property and collective intimidation.

Seventeen-year-old Elipianus Esema (left) and Atios Sobolim,18 years (right)

Detailed Case Data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) 
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 2
#Number of VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 Elipianus Esema
male17 Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary detention, criminalisation
2.1 Atios Sobolim
male18 Indigenous Peoplesarbitrary detention, criminalisation
Period of incident: 14/02/2026 – 17/02/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Perpetrator details: TNI and Polres Yahukimo members
Issues: indigenous peoples

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Human Rights Monitor

2) Military members torture Papuan labourer at PSN site in Ilwayab District, Merauke

17 February 2026 / 4 minutes of reading
On 10 February 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI AD) reportedly tortured Mr Kristo Gonus Okui Kaize, an indigenous Papuan of the Malind Maklew tribe at the National Strategic Project (PSN) site in Wanam, Ilwayab District, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province. Mr Kaize was employed as labourer at the PSN Wanam Project. He sustained open head wounds, broken teeth and a toe injury as a result of the torture. TNI members forcibly removed a toenail using pliers and threatened to kill him. The assault reportedly occurred without prior questioning.
On the evening of 10 February 2026, Mr Kaize was drinking alcohol with several workers and a TNI member named Moris inside one of the mess halls at the PSN Wanam Project site. Another TNI member called Legion, later joined them. After the men finished the drinks, the group moved to another mess hall where other TNI personnel were also drinking. When the alcohol supply was exhausted, Mr Kaize returned alone to his room. Shortly thereafter, he took a pocket torch and left the mess hall, intending to return to Wanam Village. Moments later, he heard shouting. Approximately five TNI AD personnel ran towards him shouting “kill him” and immediately began beating him without asking any questions.
The perpetrators struck him repeatedly with their bare hands and blunt metal objects. According to the victim, he was struck with an iron bar on his ribs causing him to fall down several as the assault continued. Thereupon, several soldiers restrained him while others allegedly used pliers to forcibly pull out his right large toenail. Mr Kaize suffered four open lacerations to the head, a split and swollen lower lip, broken lower teeth, swollen temples, extensive bruising, and injuries to his left elbow and ribs (see photos below, source: Pusaka).
Mr Kaize eventually managed to escape by crawling underneath the mess structure into a large excavation pit filled with mud. In the early hours of 11 February 2026, while still bleeding and in severe pain, he crawled through the excavation site until reaching the Domokalok hamlet bridge. He then attempted to walk towards Wanam Village but lost consciousness on the road.
Early that morning, villagers from Wanam found him unconscious and escorted him to Wanam Village. He was subsequently admitted to Ilwayab Health Centre in Wogikel District for medical treatment. During his treatment, TNI personnel reportedly guarded the facility and monitored visitors, including members of his family. Mr Kaize has returned home but remains physically weak and unable to work, currently unable to meet the daily needs of his wife and two children.

Human rights analysis

The alleged conduct constitutes serious violations of international human rights law and Indonesian domestic law. The beating, threats to kill, and forcible removal of a fingernail using pliers meet the definition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as enshrined under Article 1 of the Convention against Torture (CAT), to which Indonesia is a State Party. The deliberate infliction of severe physical pain by state agents for punitive or arbitrary purposes is strictly prohibited and non-derogable. The described acts also violate Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which prohibits the use of torture and ill-treatment;
The presence of military personnel guarding the victim during medical treatment raises additional concerns regarding intimidation of witnesses and obstruction of access to independent medical and legal assistance. The case must be assessed in the broader context of recurring patterns of violence by security forces in South Papua Province, particularly in areas of indigenous land affected by strategic national projects (PSN). The cumulative record of previous cases in the regencies Mappi, Boven Digoel, and Merauke between 2014 and 2023 indicates a pattern of excessive force, impunity, and lack of accountability. The recurrence of serious abuses in Merauke Regency and surrounding areas underscores structural deficiencies in accountability mechanisms.

List of documented military violence in South Papua

The following cases illustrate a concerning continuity of human rights abuses:
  • 2014 (Mappi Regency): Violence by Indonesian Navy personnel against Mr Blasius Sumaghai (23).
  • 2015 (Mappi Regency): Shooting of Mr Talema Waitipo (19) and stabbing of Mr Yance Doga by Navy personnel.
  • 2017 (Kimaam area): Fatal violence against Mr Isak Dewayekua (23) by members of Infantry Battalion 755/Yalet.
  • 2020 (Boven Digoel Regency): Abuse leading to the death of Mr Oktovianus Warip (18) by Task Force 516/Caraka Yudha.
  • 2021 (Merauke City): Abuse of a deaf youth, Mr Steven Yadohamang, by Air Force personnel.
  • 2022 (Mappi Regency): Killing of Mr Bruno Amenim Kimko (29) and serious injury of Mr Yohanis Kanggun by Raider 600/Modang Task Force personnel.
  • 2023 (Ilwayab District, Merauke Regency): Fatal abuse of Mr Albertus Kaize and serious injury of Mr Daniel Kaize by Navy personnel.
  • 2025 (Mappi Regency): On 29 January 2025, Mr Herlis Pakaimu died after reportedly being tortured and shot by military members in Mappi Regency, Papua Selatan Province. 

Mr Kristo Gonus Okui Kaize shows the injuries which he sustained as a result of the military violence

Detailed Case Data
Location: Wanam, Ilyawab, Merauke Regency, South Papua, Indonesia (-7.4207243, 139.1625989)Wanam Village
Region: Indonesia, South Papua, Merauke, Ilwayab
Total number of victims: 1
#Number of VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1 r Kristo Gonus Okui Kaize
male34 Indigenous Peoples, Labourerright to life, torture
Period of incident: 10/02/2026 – 10/02/2026
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence



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3) Indonesia Tightens Papua Security After Shootings 

Ilham Oktafian   February 17, 2026 | 1:47 pm

Jakarta. Indonesia has tightened security at several strategic sites in its easternmost region of Papua following a series of shooting incidents targeting an aircraft and personnel near a major mining operation, a senior minister said on Tuesday.

Chief Security Affairs Minister Djamari Chaniago said the government had reinforced protection at what it described as vital objects after suspected armed criminal groups opened fire on a Smart Air aircraft and in the vicinity of gold miner Freeport Indonesia’s operations in Mile 50, Tembagapura district, Mimika regency.

The move aims to prevent similar incidents and ensure that residents can carry out daily activities safely, Djamari told reporters.

Security reinforcements are focused on strategic operational areas and pioneer aviation routes that transport essential logistics across Papua’s remote and mountainous terrain. One location receiving special attention is Koroway Airport.


dditional personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI) have been deployed to the airport to ensure the smooth distribution of supplies and maintain the mobility of medical workers, Djamari said.

Authorities are continuing to pursue those responsible for the shootings, including the attack on the Smart Air aircraft and the incident near the mining area at Mile 50 in Tembagapura.

“Efforts to apprehend the perpetrators are ongoing in accordance with applicable legal procedures,” he said.

Earlier incidents included the shooting of a Smart Air pilot in Boven Digoel and the shooting of an employee in the mining area operated by Freeport Indonesia in Mimika. The attacks add to a series of armed violence cases in Papua that have drawn sustained attention from authorities and rights groups.

Papua has long faced sporadic violence involving armed separatist groups, whom the Indonesian government refers to as criminal armed groups, complicating security and development efforts in the resource-rich region.


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Monday, February 16, 2026

1) Confusion over West Papua bombing, displacement claims, as shooting of pilots confirmed


2) 11 Pioneer Airports in Papua Suspended After Smart Air Plane Shooting That Killed Two  Reporter 
3) DPD urges ministry to re-verify data of school dropouts in Papua 

4) Impunity in Sorong: Nine months without justice for victim of police violence

5) Security forces allegedly shot dead prison fugitive in Kaimana Regency



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1) Confusion over West Papua bombing, displacement claims, as shooting of pilots confirmed
RNZ Pacific 6:32 am today 
The Indonesian government has dismissed a claim that its military has been bombing villages in West Papua.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims a makeshift refugee camp in Puncak Regency of was bombed, and that many villagers have been displaced.
ULMWP president Benny Wenda said the Air Force had "relentlessly attacked the region" since the end of January.
"According to Human Rights Defenders on the ground, the Indonesian military used drones to drop bombs on the refugee camp in Kembru District, forcing civilians from nine villages to flee into the 

"These are mostly women (some of them pregnant), children, and elders: defenceless people who have already been displaced from their homes by previous military operations."
However, a spokesperson for Indonesia's Embassy in New Zealand said that there were no increased attacks done by Indonesian Air Force or other branch of the military, "apart from regular patrol to provide security and to guarantee safety for all of Indonesians".
The embassy said around 500 residents in the area had been "evacuated" from their villages due to threats from an "armed criminal group", a label given to Papuan independence fighters.

Counter claims

There's more confusion around at least one separate, violent incident in the past several days.
ULMWP claimed Indonesia's military forces killed a Papuan man, Pit Nayagau, during a raid in the Sugapa District of Intan Jaya Regency.
But the embassy again pointed blame at the "armed criminal group" but indicated that more information was required for clarification regarding this incident.
Meanwhile, two were killed pilots after a pair of shooting at a commercial plane when it landed at an airport in South Papua Province last week.
"Unfortunately, those threats resulted in the loss of life of two Indonesian pilot in which their plane have been shot down by the armed criminal group. Mr. Elkius Kobak and Mr. Kopitua Heluka from the armed criminal group have claimed the responsibility of the shooting," the embassy said.
Meanwhile, Wenda said internet blackouts had hampewred the flow of information about the attacks.
"Indonesia is using their full range of occupation strategies during this offensive: forced displacement, indiscriminate targeting of villagers, and information blackouts," he said.

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2) 11 Pioneer Airports in Papua Suspended After Smart Air Plane Shooting That Killed Two  Reporter 
Hendrik Yaputra 
February 16, 2026 | 08:44 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has suspended the operation of 11 pioneer airports in Papua, following the shooting of a Smart Air plane at Korowai Airport in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.

Civil Aviation DG Lukman F. Laisa said the decision was taken to anticipate any unforeseen circumstances, and operations may resume once security is cleared by the Indonesian military and police.


"Security situation must be conducive and in compliance with flight safety standards," Lukman said on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The eleven airports include the Koroway Batu Service Unit (Satpel) in South Papua, Bomakia Airport in the Papuan Highlands, Yaniruma Service Unit in Papua Highlands, and Manggelum Service Unit in Papua Highlands.

Additionally, the Kapiraya Aerodrome, Iwur Aerodrome, Faowi Aerodrome, Dagai Aerodrome, Aboy Aerodrome, and Teraplu Aerodrome—all located in Papua Highlands—have also been suspended. The Beoga Aerodrome in Central Papua is also suspended.

Meanwhile, five pioneer airports continue to operate under military and police security despite being in high-risk areas. "Flight operations can be carried out while still considering the developments in the regions," he stated. These five airports are the Kiwirok Airport in Papua Highlands, Moanamani and Illu airports in Central Papua, and Sinak Service Unit and Agandugume Service Unit in Ilaga, Central Papua.

Lukman emphasized that operators who halt flights due to security reasons will not be sanctioned. Pioneer airport operations can still be carried out by ensuring the security conditions at the destination airports are met. "Operators are given the authority to assess security and decide whether to resume operations for safety reasons," he added.

The Civil Aviation DG is currently mapping out airports based on risk levels, drafting special Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for aircraft crews in critical zones, and working with the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs and law enforcement agencies to investigate the recent shooting. 

The Ministry of Transportation emphasizes the importance of strengthening the legal basis for the halting of operations if security conditions are not met. "And the need for a joint decree between regional governments and security forces to strengthen the implementation of pioneer air transport," Lukman stated.

Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz, Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, previously stated that 13 passengers were onboard the Smart Air plane that was shot at upon landing. The flight was piloted by Captain Egon Erawan and Co-pilot Captain Bas Koro.

As a result of the shooting, the pilot and co-pilot were declared dead, while 13 passengers, comprising 12 adults and one infant, were reported as safe. The Operation Cartenz Peace has identified the shooters as the West Papuan National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) Yahukimo Battalion, known as the Cannibal and Red Ants.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the TPNPB headquarters, Sebby Sambom, stated that the Korowai area is within the operational area of the TPNPB militia of the XVI/Yahukimo Defense Command (Kodap) led by Elkius Kobak and Kopitua Heluka as the operations commander. "We are very clear. TPNPB has long issued warnings for Indonesian people to leave Papua, especially in conflict zones," Sebby said via a WhatsApp voice message on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Furthermore, TPNPB has designated the Boven Digoel area, which is within the operational area of the XVI/Yahukimo Defense Command, as a conflict zone, so various shooting incidents are normalized.
Andi Adam Faturahman contributed to the writing of this article.

Read: Chronology of the Smart Air Plane Shooting in Papua


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3) DPD urges ministry to re-verify data of school dropouts in Papua 
 February 16, 2026 20:41 GMT+700
Manokwari, W Papua (ANTARA) - Committee III of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) has urged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to re-verify data on school dropouts across Papua.

Chairman of Committee III, Filep Wamafma, said in Manokwari, West Papua, on Monday that updating and verifying the data is crucial to ensure accurate policymaking.

“The accuracy and validity of education data are vital to ensure it truly reflects actual conditions on the ground,” he said.

He noted that figures presented by the Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua Special Autonomy in January 2026 estimated the number of dropouts at 700,000, a significant increase compared with the ministry’s 2024 data.

He stressed that the government must reconcile these differing figures to ensure that education development planning in Papua is aligned with real conditions and effectively addresses underlying issues.

“In 2024, the ministry recorded just over 30,000 students, from elementary to senior high school levels, dropping out in the same region,” he added.

Wamafma said the lack of data synchronization and updates could lead to inaccurate policies that fail to address core problems such as high education costs, limited infrastructure, and teacher shortages.

He noted that scholarship distribution relies on Basic Education Data (Dapodik), and the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN), which integrates the Social Welfare Integrated Data, the Socio-Economic Registry, and the Family Development Potential Mapping (P3KE) database.

“Discrepancies among these systems could potentially result in misdirected educational assistance,” he said.

He added that local governments must conduct periodic data collection to ensure that every school dropout in Papua receives proper attention and direct intervention.

“No more Papuan children should lose their right to education,” he emphasized.

In addition to education data, Wamafma highlighted the teacher-to-student ratio as an indicator of the uneven distribution of educators across Papua, which directly affects the quality of learning.

He also suggested that local governments involve customary and church leaders in the data verification process to ensure independence and strengthen public trust in the results.

Related news: Papua can drive national development forward: Minister

Related news: Prevent student dropouts amid budget cuts, varsities told

Translator: Fransiskus Salu, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti


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4) Impunity in Sorong: Nine months without justice for victim of police violence

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 16 February 2026
On 10 May 2025, Mr Ortizan F. Tarage, a civilian resident of Sorong City, was apprehended without explanation by three officers of the Sorong City Police (Polresta Sorong Kota) while fishing behind the Diklat Complex on Jalan Pendidikan, Kilometer 8. According to testimony gathered by the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Papua Pos Sorong, Mr Tarage was taken away in an unmarked vehicle later identified as belonging to the police, and subsequently subjected to severe physical violence during police detention. The torture involved beatings with wood, bamboo, iron bars, iron padlocks, and hoses in an effort to coerce a confession to motorcycle thefts he did not commit. Mr Tarage sustained serious injuries to his face, calves, thighs, shoulders, and hands (see photo on top, source: LBH Sorong). The treatment Mr Tarage endured constitutes torture as defined under international law, and represents a grave violation of the absolute and non-derogable prohibition against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Despite a formal police report (LP/B/341/V/2025/SPKT/Polresta Sorong Kota/Polda Papua Barat) having been filed on 22 May 2025, no suspects have been named and the investigation has shown no meaningful progress in the nine months since the incident. The alleged perpetrators reportedly remain on active duty at the Sorong City Police headquarters, free to continue their professional activities without restriction. The Legal Aid Institute in Sorong has characterised this prolonged inaction as emblematic of institutional impunity. The stagnation is compounded by the reported failure of the Sorong City Police Chief to respond to two separate letters from the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM RI) Representative Office in Papua requesting information about the case, raising serious concerns about obstruction and a lack of institutional willingness to cooperate with independent oversight mechanisms.
The torture of Mr Tarage and the subsequent failure of accountability violate a broad framework of domestic and international legal obligations binding on Indonesia. These include Article 28G(2) of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees freedom from torture; Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights; Law No. 5/1998 concerning ratification of the Convention against Torture (CAT); and Law No. 12 of 2005 on ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The case also contravenes the National Police’s own internal regulations, including National Police Regulation No. 8/2009 and No. 8/2021. Under international human rights law, states are obligated not only to refrain from torture but to ensure prompt, impartial, and effective investigation of all allegations, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to provide victims with access to redress and reparation. The prolonged absence of any investigative progress in this case represents a failure on all of these counts.
On 14 February 2026, LBH Papua Pos Sorong formally filed a complaint with the Internal Affairs Division (Propam) of the West Papua Regional Police, urging the Regional Police Chief to impose disciplinary sanctions on the officers involved and to initiate a professional criminal investigation. LBH has further called upon Komnas HAM RI to conduct an independent inquiry into the case. The family of Mr Tarage continues to demand justice and has expressed grave concern that the police apparatus may be actively shielding the perpetrators from accountability.

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5) Security forces allegedly shot dead prison fugitive in Kaimana Regency

16 February 2026 / 3 minutes of reading
On 4 February 2026, military and correctional facility officers reportedly shot dead Mr Zet Tare, 32, an escaped detainee from Kaimana Correctional Facility, during an arrest operation near the  Pertamina areal in Kaimana Town, Kaimana Regency, Papua Barat province. According to the information received, security officers released multiple gunshots at Mr Tare and subsequnetly subjetetd him to physical violence, causing him to die at the scene. His body was subsequently transported to Kaimana Regional Hospital.
Security personnel located and apprehended Mr Zet Tare around 11:00 pm. He had been listed as a fugitive (Daftar Pencarian Orang, DPO) after escaping from Kaimana Prison in December 2025. Residents reported hearing several gunshots, causing panic among the local community. According to a witness, officers opened fire at Mr Tare even though he did not resist arrest. After the shooting, officers transferred the body to the hospital morgue, with visible gunshot wounds and injuries to the back of the skull, as well as bleeding from the nose and mouth.
When Mr Tare’s relatives received information about the incident, they went to the Kaimana Regional Hospital. Upon arrival, she was informed that he had already been pronounced dead by medical personnel. Prison and military personnel reportedly prevented the family from taking the body home from the morgue, where the body was cleaned, projectiles removed and the bullet wounds covered. Family bodies were allowed to pick-up the body at noon on 5 February 2026. Military members and correctional officers escorted Mr Tare’s body together with relatives to the cemetery for burial. Following the failed arrest operation, the Kaimana Prison authorities did not issue a public statement clarifying the legal grounds for the use of firearms.

Human rights analysis

Under international human rights law, Indonesia is bound by Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), guaranteeing the inherent right to life, and Article 7 ICCPR prohibiting torture and ill-treatment. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials strictly limit the use of lethal force to situations where it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. The reported circumstances of this case suggest potential non-compliance with these standards.
The fugitive status of a person does not extinguish the right to life, the presumption of innocence, or the right to due process. Law enforcement authorities remain bound by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability when effecting an arrest. The reported use of lethal force against an unarmed suspect who allegedly did not resist raises serious concerns of extrajudicial execution. Allegations of physical assault prior to death further indicate possible violations of the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
In light of these allegations, an independent, prompt, thorough and impartial investigation consistent with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016) is required. Such an investigation should involve Komnas HAM and independent forensic experts to ensure credibility and transparency. The authorities must preserve all ballistic, medical and scene-of-crime evidence and guarantee that the victim’s family is free from intimidation.
Detailed Case Data
Location: 8QV6+X5X, Kaimana Kota, Kaimana, Kaimana Regency, West Papua 98654, Indonesia (-3.6550002, 133.7604951) behind the  Pertamina areal in Kaimana Town
Region: Indonesia, West Papua, Kaimana, Kaimana
Total number of victims: 1
#Number of VictimsName, DetailsGenderAgeGroup AffiliationViolations
1.1Zet Tare
male32Indigenous Peoplesexecution, right to life, torture, unlawful killing
Period of incident: 04/02/2026 – 04/02/2026
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Military (TNI), Correctional Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
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