On 18 September 2026, Indonesian police reportedly apprehended two minors, Hariel Sengket, 17, and Peniel Magayang, 17, at the Telkomsel complex in Dekai town, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province. The arrests reportedly followed a stabbing incident involving a non-Papuan resident on the evening of 17 September 2026. According to information provided by the relatives, both detainees were subsequently taken to the Yahukimo District Police Station, where they remained in custody without legal representation as of information received on 18 September 2026. Given that both detainees are reportedly under the age of 18, the case raises particular concerns regarding the protection of children deprived of their liberty, access to legal assistance and compliance with procedural safeguards under Indonesian and international human rights law.
On the evening of 17 September 2026, a non-Papuan resident, identified Mr Ita, was reportedly stabbed in the Dekai area of Yahukimo Regency. According to the families, Hariel and Peniel had lived together for approximately two years in a house or kiosk owned by Mr Ita in the Telkomsel complex. At the time of the stabbing, the two young men were reportedly in the vicinity of the scene, using Wi-Fi facilities at a location regularly frequented by youth for recreational and social activities. Following the stabbing, police officers conducted a search operation and detained several residents.
Relatives are concerned that the two young men have been detained because they were present near the crime scene. At approximately 8:35 pm on 18 September 2026, police reportedly apprehended Hariel and Peniel at the Telkomsel complex and detained them at the Yahukimo District Police Station. The available information does not establish whether the officers presented an arrest warrant or informed the detainees of their procedural rights.
Police officers initially indicated that the two young men were being questioned as witnesses. However, subsequent information suggested that they might be implicated as suspects. Their families stated that they had not received a clear explanation of the detainees' legal status or the evidence allegedly linking them to the stabbing. Their families did not receive sufficient information concerning their physical condition or treatment during police questioning. Both were eventually released without charges due to lack of incriminating evidence.
Human rights and legal analysis
The circumstances surrounding the arrests of Hariel Sengket and Peniel Magayang raise concerns regarding their right to liberty and protection against arbitrary detention under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The authorities must clarify the legal grounds for their arrest and continued detention, promptly inform them of any allegations and ensure that any criminal proceedings are based on verifiable evidence. Their presence near the scene of the stabbing alone does not establish criminal responsibility. Any deprivation of liberty must comply with the requirements of legality, necessity and protection against arbitrariness.
Given their reported ages of approximately 17, both detainees are entitled to special protection under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Indonesia's Law No. 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. Article 37(b) CRC requires that the detention of a child be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period. Under Article 30 of Law No. 11 of 2012, the initial arrest of a child for investigative purposes must not exceed 24 hours. Any continued deprivation of liberty would therefore require a separate lawful basis for detention and compliance with the applicable child-specific procedural safeguards.
The reported absence of legal representation raises further concerns regarding compliance with Article 40 CRC and Article 23 of Law No. 11 of 2012, which guarantee children in conflict with the law access to legal assistance and appropriate accompaniment during criminal proceedings. Article 40 of the Indonesian law requires officers to inform children and their parents or guardians of their right to legal assistance, with failure to provide such notification rendering the arrest or detention legally invalid. The authorities must ensure that both minors receive qualified legal representation, are informed of their legal status and are afforded appropriate contact with their families. Any questioning must respect the presumption of innocence, the right against self-incrimination and the procedural guarantees applicable to children suspected of criminal offences.
The families' inability to obtain reliable information concerning the detainees' physical condition and treatment during detention raises additional concerns regarding their protection from torture and other forms of ill-treatment under Article 7 ICCPR and Article 37(a) CRC. Although allegations of physical violence have not been independently verified, the authorities remain responsible for safeguarding the minors' physical and psychological integrity throughout their detention. Both detainees should be granted confidential access to legal counsel, appropriate family contact and an independent medical examination where necessary.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-128-2026
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) Telkomsel Komplex
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 2
1. Peniel Magayang, male 0 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
2. Hariel Sengket, male 0 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 18/09/2026-18/09/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children