On 24 June 2026, joint security force members arbitrarily detained indigenous Papuan, Mr Paskalis Pogau, in the centre of Sugapa Town, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province. According to local sources, Mr Pogau is a civilian motorbike taxi driver who regularly provides transport services to residents in Sugapa. He was reportedly apprehended during a security operation after being accused to be affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). At the time of writing, Mr Pogau has been detained at an Indonesian military headquarters in Sugapa. No information has been made available regarding his legal status, access to legal counsel, or contact with relatives.
According to local sources, Indonesian military personnel conducted an operation in the centre of Sugapa Town at around 11.30 am on 24 June 2026. During the operation, security forces reportedly detained Mr Paskalis Pogau on suspicion of being affiliated with TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya command. Bystanders recorded a video of the arrest, indicating that security force members ill-treated Mr Pogau during the apprehension on 24 June (see video below, source: independent HRD). Relatives and residents say that Mr Pogau is a civilian and has long worked as a motorbike taxi driver serving the local community. He was reportedly transferred to an Indonesian military base in Sugapa, where he remains in custody.
The TPNPB National Commission Headquarters condemned the arrest of Paskalis Pogau and asserted that Indonesian security forces have repeatedly accused civilians in conflict-affected areas of being TPNPB members without sufficient evidence. The organisation called on the Indonesian military to end arbitrary arrests of civilians in Intan Jaya, Yahukimo, Puncak and other conflict-affected regencies, arguing that security operations should distinguish between civilians and members of organised armed groups. The statement also urged state authorities to acknowledge and remedy alleged cases of arbitrary arrest, intimidation and ill-treatment committed against civilians.
Human rights analysis
The above-described allegations raisesconcerns under international human rights law. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and requires that any deprivation of liberty be carried out on lawful grounds and in accordance with due process. Detainees must be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest, brought before a judicial authority, and granted access to legal assistance and family members. Allegations that the detainee was ill-treated during apprehension may also engage the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under Article 7 of the ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT).
In situations of non-international armed conflict, all parties are further required under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to treat persons not actively participating in hostilities humanely and to distinguish civilians from members of organised armed groups.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-089-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua
Total number of victims: 1
1. Paskalis Pogau, male adult Day Labourer, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, ill-treatment
Period of incident: 24/06/2026-24/06/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence