2) Police officers accused of arbitrary arrest and torture in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua
3) Criminalisation concerns in Yahukimo: Student alleged of affiliation with TPNPB
4) Four political activists arbitrarily detained in Nabire
5) Formation of Three Battalions in Papua Deemed to Have Potential to Lead to Human Rights Violations
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Human rights Monitor
1) Shrinking democratic space: Police detain environmental activist outside Divine Mercy Church in Merauke
On 7 December 2025, at approximately 10:40 am, police officers forcibly detained indigenous environmental and land-rights defender, Mr Stenly Dambujai, outside the Divine Mercy (Kerahiman Ilahi) Church in Mangga Dua, Kelapa Lima Village, Merauke Regency, South Papua province 8see photos, source: LBH Merauke). The detention reportedly followed a peaceful, symbolic protest criticising the Archbishop of Merauke’s public support for the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke, which threatens customary land and forests.
After the Sunday Mass concluded, Mr Dambujai unfurled a protest poster outside the church grounds. Reports indicate that church council representatives and legal advocates argued with him and subsequently contacted police. Thereupon, police officers took him to the Merauke Police Station (Polres Merauke) for questioning. Legal aid advocates stated that Mr Dambujai was pressured to sign a written statement committing not to hold further protests in front of churches, and that his request to wait for legal counsel before giving a statement was ignored.
According to the Merauke Legal Aid Institute (LBH Merauke), the detention was arbitrary and appears linked to a wider pattern of restricting peaceful civic expression by Catholic lay communities opposing the PSN. LBH Merauke stated that Mr Dambujai had carried out similar actions dozens of times previously without being questioned, and that this incident therefore signals a targeted escalation. A separate report citing LBH Merauke indicated the alleged basis for police involvement was a complaint connected to the chair of the parish council, named as Yohanes P. Weng, and an advocate named Hendrikus Timotius Talubun.
Human rights analysis
If confirmed, the reported conduct raises serious concerns regarding freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as enshrined in Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The arbitrary nature of the (i) detention without a clear legal basis, (ii) pressure to sign a non-protest undertaking, and (iii) interference with the right to legal assistance during questioning violates Article 9 ICCPR, which establishes safeguards against arbitrary detention. Such measures, particularly when triggered by a non-violent, symbolic protest, risk creating a chilling effect on civic participation and legitimate dissent, especially for indigenous communities affected by land and environmental policies. The incident also intersects with the protection of human rights defenders and environmental defenders, particularly where advocacy concerns alleged impacts of large-scale projects on indigenous land.
Police officers arrest Mr Stenly Dambujai outside the Divine Mercy (Kerahiman Ilahi) Church on 7 December 2025
(Photos
Detailed Case Data
Location: Jl. Bahari, Maro, Kec. Merauke, Kabupaten Merauke, Papua Selatan 99614, Indonesia (-8.483057, 140.3986118) Gereja Katolik Stasi Kerahiman Ilahi, Bahari Maro
Region: Indonesia, South Papua, Merauke, Merauke
Total number of victims: 1
Location: Jl. Bahari, Maro, Kec. Merauke, Kabupaten Merauke, Papua Selatan 99614, Indonesia (-8.483057, 140.3986118) Gereja Katolik Stasi Kerahiman Ilahi, Bahari Maro
Region: Indonesia, South Papua, Merauke, Merauke
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Stenly Dambujai | male | adult | Activist, Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression |
Perpetrator: , POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polres Merauke
Issues: business, human rights and FPIC, indigenous peoples—————————————————————————————
Human rights Monitor
2) Police officers accused of arbitrary arrest and torture in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua
On 9 December 2025, at approximately 10:00 pm, Mr Natan Matuan and Mr Selis Pahabol were arbitrarily arrested in Jalur 3 settlement, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province. They were reportedly detained at the Yahukimo District Police Station Polres Yahukimo) without being informed of the reasons for their arrest. Both were allegedly subjected to torture during interrogation involving beatings while their hands and feet were tied. Mr Selis Pahabol was released on 10 December 2025, at 9:00 pm, while Mr Natan Matuan reportedly remained in custody.
Human rights analysis
Arresting individuals without promptly informing them of the reasons and transferring them to a police station without clear legal grounds raises a strong presumption of arbitrariness. Where arrests are conducted without transparency, documentation (warrants/records), and meaningful access to counsel and family, the risk of abuse and coercion increases sharply.
Moreover, binding hands and feet while beating suspects during interrogation meets the threshold of torture, depending on severity, intent (e.g., to punish, intimidate, or obtain information/confessions), and official involvement. Such acts are absolutely prohibited under the International Covenant against Torture (CAT) and cannot be justified by suspicion of any offence.
Detailed Case Data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) Jalur 3 settlement, Dekai District
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 2
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) Jalur 3 settlement, 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 | Natan Matuan | male | adult | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary arrest, torture |
| 2. | 1 | Selis Pahabol | male | adult | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention, torture |
Perpetrator: , POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polres Yahukimo Members
Issues: indigenous peoples——————————————————————————
Human rights Monitor
3) Criminalisation concerns in Yahukimo: Student alleged of affiliation with TPNPB
On 28 November 2025, members of Brimob under Ops Damai Cartenz (Cartenz Peace Operation) arrested 21-year-old student, Mr Iron Heluka (see photo on top, source: independent HRD), in Dekai town, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan province (West Papua / Papuan provinces), and subsequently detained him at the Yahukimo Police Station. The arrest appears linked to allegations of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). Mr Heluka’s relatives dispute the allegations, emphasizing that Mr. Heluka is an active student. Following the arrest, the TPNPB Central Headquarters publicly denied that Iron Heluka is a member of TPNPB.
The incident unfolded during the night of 28 November 2025, when Mr Heluka was on his way back home from an evening gathering with friends. At approximately 02:00 am, Mr Heluka and his friends stopped near a food stall and attempted to light a fire to warm themselves. As police patrol officers arrived, two individuals reportedly fled, while Mr Iron Heluka was apprehended and taken to the Yahukimo Police Station. He was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the arrest and interrogated at gunpoint. In a separate police narrative, the Head of Public Relations for Ops Damai Cartenz, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, stated that police responded to a disturbance report, found three people acting suspiciously, and suspected them of burning a vendor’s stall.
On 29 November 2025, Iron Heluka’s relatives visited the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Polres Yahukimo and were told that his detention was based on an alleged burning incident. The family later reported receiving additional information that police also accused Mr Heluka of being a member of Kodap XVI Yahukimo since May 2025, an allegation the family strongly rejects as false. Police reportedly informed the family that Mr Heluka would be detained until 17 December 2025.
Human rights analysis
While allegations regarding the engagement of Mr Iron Heluka in arson may be proven through a criminal investigation, police officers have failed to provide supporting evidence for the association with a criminal organisation to the relatives. The cumulative allegations (arson allegations alongside claims of armed-group affiliation) and the reported absence of promptly disclosed, verifiable evidence to the family may indicate risks of detention not meeting legal necessity and proportionality standards.
Public assertions describing Mr Iron Heluka as affiliated with an armed group, if made without due process safeguards and substantiated evidence, risk undermining fair trial rights and may expose him and his family to stigmatisation and threats. Reports that officers conducted a forced interrogation while pointing firearms raise concerns about intimidation and potential ill-treatment, requiring independent verification and investigation.
Relatives emphasize that Mr Iron Heluka is a student. Prolonged detention without a clear legal basis and safeguards can interfere with education and may reflect discriminatory patterns frequently reported in the Papuan provinces context.
Detailed Case Data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298)
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298)
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Iron Heluka | male | 21 | Student | criminalisation |
Perpetrator: Mobile Brigades (BRIMOB)
Perpetrator details: Damai Cartenz Task Force
Issues: indigenous peoples——————————————————————————————————
Human Rights Monitor
https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/four-political-activists-arbitrarily-detained-in-nabire/
4) Four political activists arbitrarily detained in Nabire
On 24 November 2025, at around 07:15 pm, police officers arbitrarily detained four members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at a coffee shop near Karang Tumaritis Market, Nabire town, Nabire Regency, Central Papua province, and subsequently detained them at the Nabire District Police Station (Polres Nabire). The police officers failed to provide a clear reason for the detention. Mr Peume Tebai, 18, Mr Yosua Pigome, 18, Mr Kabel Pigay, 18, and Merten Yobe, 17, were released shortly after following requests by other activists at the Nabire Police Station.
The four activists arrived by motorbike at a coffee shop near Karang Tumaritis Market at 5:40 pm while displaying a KNPB flag (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). At approximately 7:15 pm, police officers arrived and arrested the four activists without showing a warrant. Thereupon, they were taken to the Nabire Police Station. As other activists arrived at Polres Nabire and asked for the legal basis for the detention, the officers reportedly released them without pressing charges or providing a clear explanation for the detention.
Human rights analysis
The case has various human rights implications. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 9, anyone arrested must be informed of the reasons for arrest and promptly informed of any charges; deprivation of liberty must follow procedures established by law. In the Indonesian context, Article 18 of the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) sets clear requirements for arrest, including showing assignment letters, providing an arrest warrant that states the reasons, and a brief case description.
The incident also raises serious concerns regarding freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association as enshrined in Articles 19 and 21 ICCPR, where the conduct described (flag-waving and travelling in public) is prima facie expressive activity. Any restriction must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate in a democratic society. Indonesia’s constitutional framework likewise protects freedom of association, assembly, and expression.
Moreover, one of those arrested, Merten Yobe, is a minor under international law. Under the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Article 37(b), a child must not be deprived of liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily; arrest or detention must be a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time, with additional safeguards regarding treatment and access to legal assistance and family contact.
Detailed Case Data
Location: Karang Tumaritis, Nabire, Nabire Regency, Central Papua, Indonesia (-3.3813459, 135.4992687) Coffee Shop near Tumaritis Market
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Nabire, Nabire
Total number of victims: 4
Location: Karang Tumaritis, Nabire, Nabire Regency, Central Papua, Indonesia (-3.3813459, 135.4992687) Coffee Shop near Tumaritis Market
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Nabire, Nabire
Total number of victims: 4
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Peume Tebai, | male | 18 | Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression |
| 2. | 1 | Kabel Pigay, | male | 18 | Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression |
| 3. | 1 | Yosua Pigome | male | 18 | Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression |
| 4. | 1 | Merten Yobe | male | 17 | Activist | arbitrary detention, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression |
Perpetrator: , POLRES
Perpetrator details: Polres Nabire Officers
Issues: indigenous peoples————————————————————————————————
A google translate.
Original Bahasa link
5) Formation of Three Battalions in Papua Deemed to Have Potential to Lead to Human Rights Violations
January 9, 2026 in Politics, Law, and Security Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Author: Larius Kogoya - Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Jayapura, Jubi – Reinhart Kmur, a Legal Aid Volunteer from the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), stated that the formation of three new TNI battalions in three regencies in Papua has the potential to lead to human rights violations.
He stated that this concern arose because the policy for resolving conflicts in Papua has always prioritized a security approach.
According to Reinhart Kmur, based on information gathered by his office, the TNI has officially formed three new battalions in three regencies in Papua: Biak Numfor Regency, Supiori Regency, and Waropen Regency.
He said, these three battalions are new units of the Territorial Development Battalion (TP) which are prepared to carry out duties in Papua in supporting food security, infrastructure development, public health, and economic empowerment to improve welfare and security in Papua.
The presence of these three battalions has the potential to create violence and perpetuate human rights violations in Papua, because the amount of violence [perpetrated by security forces] in Papua is always directly proportional to the continued implementation of a security and armed approach through military operations," Reinhart Kmur told Jubi in Jayapura, Papua, Thursday (January 8, 2026) via text message.
Reinhart Kmur stated that, using his authority as stipulated in Article 100 of Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, he strongly condemned the addition of three new battalions to Papua Province.
"Adding military personnel to Papua will only lead to human rights violations and add to the long list of human rights violations," he said.
Kmur stated that the formation of the battalion would make the public fearful of the presence of TNI personnel. The presence of the new battalion would certainly be accompanied by the mobilization of military personnel.
"[This situation] is very dangerous amidst the TNI's institutional problems, namely its professionalism and human rights violations," he said.
He stated that the formation of the new battalion under the pretext of supporting food security programs, infrastructure development, economic empowerment, and other issues clearly violates the TNI's primary duties and functions as stipulated in law.
Previously, the Kankain Karkara Byak Cultural Institute (KKB), along with tribal chiefs (Mananwir Bar Wamurem, Manfasfas Bar Wamurem, and Manfun Kawsa Byak), declared their rejection of the deployment of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers from Battalion Yonif TP 858, Yonif TP 859, and Yonif TP 860 in the Byak customary territory of Biak Numfor Regency and Supiori Regency, Papua.
This statement was conveyed by the Kankain Karkara Byak Cultural Institute and the tribal chiefs, who claim to represent the entire Byak indigenous community, through the Chairman of the Byak Tribal Customary Council, Apolos Sroyer, to Jubi via telephone on Tuesday (January 6, 2026).
Apolos Sroyer stated that personnel from the 858th, 859th, and 860th Infantry Battalions (TP Yonif TP Yonif TP 858, TP Yonif TP 859, and TP Yonif TP 860) were stationed in Biak Numfor, Supiori Regency, from November 29-30, 2025. The military personnel arrived in Biak aboard a Navy ship.
"The presence of these TNI Battalion personnel surprised the public. Approximately 1,700 personnel from the three battalions were deployed to Biak," said Apolos Sroyer.
According to Apolos Sroyer, the TNI personnel were divided into several locations. The 858th Infantry Battalion was stationed in the Wamure customary area of East Biak, while the 859th and 860th Infantry Battalions were stationed in Supiori Regency.
"The presence of these TNI personnel is very worrying and has seriously disrupted the activities of indigenous communities in Biak Numfor and Supiori Regencies, which are part of the Byak customary territory," he said.
He said that, in general, the community was unaware of the deployment of military personnel in these locations. Only certain community members held limited meetings and closed-door meetings with the TNI, then released hundreds of thousands of hectares of land for the construction of TNI posts or headquarters. (*)
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