On 12 March 2026, Indonesian security forces arbitrarily apprehended Mr Oksal Kobak, 28, Mr Yos Payage, 36, Mr Simion Payage, 29, Mr Menase Heluka, and Mr Oser Kobak at the Old Sentani Market in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. The arrests were reportedly carried out without the presentation of warrants, and some individuals were subsequently designated as suspects. Only two of the detainees were released without charges on 13 March 2026.
According to the information received from local human rights defenders, security forces arrived at the Old Sentani Market in a vehicle at approximately 07:24 pm on 12 March 2026 and immediately apprehended five individuals. No explanation or legal documentation was provided at the time of arrest. The operation appeared indiscriminate, with individuals taken into custody without prior summons or evident criminal conduct.
While Mr Menase Heluka and Mr Oser Kobak were reportedly released on 13 March 2026, others remained in detention. Families and community members had not received formal notification regarding the charges, legal basis for detention, or the physical condition of those detained as of 15 March 2026.
Human rights and legal analysis
The conduct of the detentrions raises substantial concerns under international human rights law. The failure to present arrest warrants, provide reasons for arrest, and ensure prompt access to legal counsel constitutes a violation of the right to liberty and security of person under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The apparent incommunicado detention further increases the risk of ill-treatment or torture, contrary to Article 7 ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT). The lack of transparency and denial of family access also contravenes fundamental safeguards against arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.
Under Indonesian law, the described actions violate provisions of the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which requires that arrests be based on sufficient preliminary evidence, accompanied by an arrest warrant (except in flagrante delicto situations. Moreover, detainees must be informed of the reasons for their arrest. The authorities are further obligated to notify families and ensure access to legal representation without delay.
Detailed case data
Location: CGJ3+FW5, Jl. Ps. Lama Sentani, Dobonsolo, Kec. Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua 99359, Indonesia (-2.568861, 140.5048707) Pasar Lama Sentani
Region: Indonesia, Papua, Jayapura Regency, Sentani
Total number of victims: 5
1. Oksal Kobak, male 28 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary arrest
2. Yos Payage, male 24 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary arrest
3. Simion Payage, male 29 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary arrest
4. Menase Heluka, male Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
5. Oser Kobak, male Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 12/03/2026-12/03/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples