On 31 January 2026, personnel of the Indonesian Navy Marine Corps stationed at the Km 6 guard post arbitrarily detained two activists, Mr Alokni Keroman and Mr Oroni Gombo (see photo on top, source: independent HRD), in Dekai Town, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province.
Both men are affiliated with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), a civil movement organisation that that promotes the right to self-determination through peaceful means. Both were detained for approximately two hours without an arrest warrant, formal charges, or access to legal safeguards, before being released.
The case is part of as series of arrests that have reportedly occurred in Dekai as a result of increased military presence in Dekai since November 2025. Human rights defenders documented a significant increase in arbitrary detentions and other forms of military violence in the Jalan Gunung area of Dekai between November and January 2026.
At around 6:30 am, Mr Alokni Keroman and Mr Oroni Gombo left their home and travelled towards Km 7 to assist their parents with farm work. Around 7:00 am, they were stopped by Indonesian military personnel stationed at the Km 6 Marine Corps task force post. Without having incriminating evidence, the officers accused the two activists of being affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), an allegation they denied.
The activists were reportedly ordered to enter the guard post, where they were interrogated. During questioning, Mr Alokni Keroman stated that both men were civilian political activists engaged openly in KNPB activities in the Yahukimo region. He reportedly presented photographs documenting peaceful KNPB activities as evidence. Despite the absence of any incriminating evidence, both men were detained inside the post for approximately two hours and subsequently released without explanation or documentation.
Human rights analysis
The short-term detention of Mr Alokni Keroman and Mr Oroni Gombo amounts to arbitrary deprivation of liberty and intimidation of civilian political activists. The use of military personnel to detain unarmed civilians engaged in lawful daily activities contributes to psychological intimidation and collective fear, amounting to psychological harassment. This conduct risks creating a climate of coercion and mental trauma among the local population and undermines fundamental civil and political rights as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil an Political Rights (ICCPR).
The arbitrary arrest of Mr Keroman and Mr Gombo appears to have been based solely on political affiliation and suspicion, rather than on lawful grounds, evidence, or judicial oversight. Such practices reflect a pattern of discriminatory treatment against Papuan civilians in conflict-affected areas of West Papua, particularly in Yahukimo Regency, where human rights defenders documented a significant increase in arbitrary detentions in the Jalan Gunung area of Dekai between November and January 2026.
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
1. Alokni Keroman, male approximate Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
2. Oroni Gombo, male adult Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 31/01/2026-31/01/2026
Perpetrator:, Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence