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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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/ongoing-series-of-arrests-amidst-deteriorating-armed-conflict-in-dekai-four-papuan-girls-arbitrarily-detained-including-three-minors/

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 Victims	Name, Details	Gender	Age	Group Affiliation	Violations
1.	1	Mira Silip	female	19	Indigenous Peoples	arbitrary detention
2.	1	Emeri Kobak	female	12	Indigenous Peoples	arbitrary detention
3.	1	Neti Silip	female	13	Indigenous Peoples	arbitrary detention
4.	1	Silfa Kobak	female	7	Indigenous Peoples	arbitrary detention

Period of incident: 18/02/2026 – 18/02/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children

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https://www.who.int/indonesia/news/detail/19-02-2026-keeping-malaria-treatment-effective-in-papua-through-monitoring-today-to-protect-tomorrow

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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https://en.tempo.co/read/2088031/indonesia-extends-freeports-mining-permits-in-papua-to-2041

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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