On 24 January 2026, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) tortured and intimidated 20-year-old Nonis Bahabol in the Tomon 2 area of Dekai Town, Yahukimo Regency. The victim, a vocational school student from the Yali tribe, sustained serious physical injuries after being beaten with a rifle butt, resulting in open wounds to his body and head (see photo on top, source: independent HRD).
According to information received, TNI personnel forcibly entered Mr Bahabol's house at approximately 7:00 am. They dragged Mr Nonis Bahabol outside and coerced him to provide information regarding the whereabouts of West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) members. When the victim stated that he did not know, TNI members struck him repeatedly with a rifle butt, dragged him across the ground, and abandoned him at the scene without medical assistance. The TNI personnel failed to present a search or arrest warrant or provide an explanation why they searched the house and detained Mr Bahabol.
Human rights analysis
The conduct of TNI personnel constitutes arbitrary detention and torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and unlawful interference with personal security. The beating of a civilian student to extract information amounts to coercive interrogation and physical abuse, prohibited under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture (CAT).
Indonesia bears responsibility for the actions of its security forces. The failure to prevent, investigate, and punish such acts fosters impunity and violates the State's obligations to protect civilians in the Papuan provinces. Security operations continue to impact Indigenous communities. Immediate steps are required to ensure independent, impartial investigations, access to medical care and remedies for the victim, and accountability of the perpetrators, including command responsibility where applicable.
Detailed case data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) GIDI Church in Jl Gunung, Tomon 2 area
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
1. Nonis Bahabol, male 20 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
Period of incident: 24/01/2026-24/01/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence