2) Arbitrary detention of three Papuan youth at Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency
3) Plain-clothes officers arbitrarily detain minor in Yahukimo Regency
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E360 DIGEST MARCH 31, 2026
1) Indonesian Mega-Farm Drives Surge in Deforestation
Vincent Kwipalo, an Indigenous Yei man, on forest cleared to grow sugarcane in South Papua, Indonesia. ULET IFANSASTI / GREENPEACE
Indonesia saw the loss of forest hit its highest level in eight years last year, a jump driven in part by a sprawling effort to turn rainforest into rice and sugarcane plantations.
In total, the country lost 1,675 square miles of forest in 2025, up from 1,010 square miles the year before, according to an analysis of satellite imagery from Auriga Nusantara, an Indonesian think tank.
The surge in forest clearing is an abrupt reversal for Indonesia, which had been a bright spot in the global fight to halt deforestation. Over the last decade, it had managed to cut the loss of forest by almost two-thirds. Now, under President Prabowo Subianto, who came to office in 2024, forest-clearing is on the rise.
Auriga Nusantara told Reuters that a major factor in the shift is the expanding footprint of Indonesia’s Food and Energy Estate, which, when complete, will stretch across more than 10,000 square miles of the province South Papua on the island of New Guinea. The estate will grow rice to feed a growing population and sugarcane to make biofuel, with the aim of curbing imports of food and energy.
Critics say that the estate is the largest deforestation project in the world, while U.N. advisors have warned the project is “jeopardizing the survival of local wildlife and endangering the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities that depend on them.”
Also driving the recent loss of Indonesia’s forest is the growth in mining, including the extraction of nickel to serve the global market for batteries. A typical vehicle battery contains 56 pounds of the metal, of which Indonesia is the world’s leading supplier.
Auriga Nusantara said that Prabowo is using a law aimed at spurring industry to weaken environmental protections. The Indonesian forestry ministry told Reuters, “The government continues to regularly evaluate all strategic programmes and ensure their implementation does not neglect forest protection.”
ALSO ON YALE E360
In Indonesia’s Rainforest, a Mega-Farm Project Is Plowing Ahead
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2) Arbitrary detention of three Papuan youth at Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency
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. The three papuan men were intercepted at the Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, where they wanted to board a Trigana Air flight from Jayapura to Wamena. According to the information received, no arrest warrant or detention order was shown at the time of arrest. Two of the victims were later released, while Mr Nerry Heluka remained in detention at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters. Police investigators reportedly accuse him of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and denied access to legal representation.
According to the information received, the three men arrived at Sentani Airport and had just stepped out of a taxi near the airport entrance when they were intercepted by a group of men in plain clothes believed to be police intelligence personnel. The officers reportedly arrived in three minivans (two black Toyota Avanza and one white Avanza). Without providing any explanation or presenting legal documentation, the officers allegedly forced the three men into the vehicles. Officers reportedly punched the suspects on the head and body during apprehension. They were then taken to KP3 Sentani Airport police station, where they were interrogated for approximately ten minutes.
Following the initial questioning, the suspects were separated. Mr Kenias Payage, a student at STT Water Post Jayapura (source: independent HRD), was reportedly taken to Sentani City Police Station, placed in a room, and questioned about an unspecified allegation. After approximately ten minutes of questioning, he was released without explanation. Mr Atera Payage was released after officers reportedly failed to find any evidence linking him to a criminal offence He was allowed to continue his journey to Wamena. Mr Nerry Heluka was allegedly subjected to intimidation and coercive questioning, during which he was accused and pressured to confess to being part of the TPNPB. He was subsequently transferred to the Papua Regional Police Headquarters (Polda Papua) in Jayapura, where he remains in custody without access to legal counsel.
Human rights analysis
The reported incident raises serious concerns under both Indonesian law and international human rights law. An arrest carried out without informing the person of the reasons for arrest, without presenting a warrant where required, and without ensuring prompt access to legal assistance raises strong indications of arbitrary deprivation of liberty. The alleged use of beatings during the apprehension and allegations of coercion during interrogation further suggests violations of the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The continued detention of Mr Nerry Heluka, in the absence of transparent legal process and access to counsel, heightens concerns regarding due process guarantees and the risk of further ill-treatment.
The case also reflects a broader pattern of security-based profiling of Papuan youths and students, particularly in contexts where allegations of affiliation with armed groups are invoked without publicly disclosed evidence. Even where the authorities claim security grounds, such actions must still comply with the requirements of necessity, legality, proportionality, and judicial oversight. The release of Mr Kenias Payage and Mr Atera Payage without clear explanation after short questioning further raises concern that the initial apprehension of all three men lacked a sufficient legal basis from the outset.
In light of these allegations, the authorities should immediately disclose the legal basis for Mr Nerry Heluka’s detention, ensure his prompt access to a lawyer and family, and release him unconditionally unless there is credible and lawfully obtained evidence of a recognisable criminal offence. The alleged assault and coercive interrogation of all three victims should be investigated promptly, impartially, and independently. Accountability measures should extend to all officers involved, including those who ordered, facilitated, or tolerated unlawful arrest, ill-treatment, or denial of legal safeguards.
Detailed Case Data
Location: Jl. PLN, Sentani Kota, Kec. Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua 99359, Indonesia (-2.577264, 140.5181249) Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 3
Location: Jl. PLN, Sentani Kota, Kec. Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua 99359, Indonesia (-2.577264, 140.5181249) Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 3
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Kenias Payage | male | 25 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention, ill-treatment |
| 2. | 1 | Nerry Heluka | male | 21 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary arrest, intimidation, torture |
| 3. | 1 | Atera Payage | male | 20 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention, ill-treatment |
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
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3) Plain-clothes officers arbitrarily detain minor in Yahukimo Regency
On 29 March 2026, plain-cloth-police officers arbitrarily detained 14-year-old Yerikson Nabyal, an indigenous Papuan belonging to the Una Ukam ethnic group, in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province. According to the information received from a local source, Yerikson was using Wi-Fi in front of a small shop (Khanza Jalur Satu kiosk) at approximately 5:00 pm. Thereafter, he walked towards his home. Upon reaching the entrance at approximately 05:20 pm, a group of armed individuals in plain clothes arrived in a black minivan (Toyota Avanza) and apprehended Yerikson. The officers forcibly dragged him inside the vehicle despite his cries for help and left the scene without identifying themselves or presenting any legal grounds for the arrest.
Following the incident, Yerikson’s family made repeated attempts to locate him. They visited the Yahukimo District Police Headquarters (Polres Yahukimo) twice but were informed that officers had no knowledge of his whereabouts. The family then proceeded to the Brimob (Mobile Brigade) headquarters on Jalan Kurima, where they received similar responses and were redirected to the local police station. Officials at the local station also denied knowledge but accompanied the family back to the police headquarters, where it was eventually confirmed that Yerikson was being detained. Authorities failed to provide any legal justification for his detention.
Human rights analysis
The case raises serious concerns regarding arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance-like practices, and violations of child protection standards under international human rights law. The incident constitutes a prima facie case of arbitrary arrest and detention, in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to liberty and security of person and prohibits arrest without lawful basis or due process. The involvement of plain-clothes officers who failed to identify themselves or present a warrant further violates basic safeguards against enforced disappearance, as outlined in international standards.
Given the victim’s age, the arrest also contravenes the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), particularly Articles 37(b) and 40, which stipulate that the detention of a minor must be used only as a measure of last resort and in accordance with legal procedures..
The pattern described by local sources indicates systematic mass arrests without due process in the Yahukimo Regency, contributing to widespread fear and trauma among the indigenous population.
Detailed Case Data
Location: 4FMP+HHQ, Moruku, Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua 99571, Indonesia (-4.8660252, 139.486474)
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
Location: 4FMP+HHQ, Moruku, Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua 99571, Indonesia (-4.8660252, 139.486474)
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Yerikson Nabyal | male | 13 | Indigenous Peoples | arbitrary detention |
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: Polres Yahukimo
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children-----------------------------
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