Indonesia, West Papua – On 26 July 2025, police officers arbitrarily detained Mr Stevanus Silak, Mr Eben Sobolim, and Mr Ami Sobolim at Nop Goliat Airport in Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua highland Province.
The arrests occurred around 3:00 pm, while Mr Eben Sobolim and Mr Ami Sobolim were preparing to depart for Jayapura to continue their studies. The students were accompanied by Mr Silak, who works at the airport. All three were subsequently taken to Yahukimo District Police headquarters, where they remain in custody. As of 27 July 2025, no formal charges were brought against them, and the reason for their detention remains unclear.
According to reports from local sources in Dekai, the three young men were detained without being presented with a warrant or given access to legal counsel. No public statement has been issued by the Yahukimo Police explaining the grounds for the arrests, raising serious concerns about the legality of the detentions.
Relatives call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Stevanus Silak, Mr Eben Sobolim, and Mr Ami Sobolim, unless credible charges are brought under international fair trial standards. Authorities must provide transparent information on the reasons for the arrests and ensure that any legal procedures comply with due process.
Pattern of state violence in Yahukimo
The case adds to a growing list of arbitrary and unlawful arrests of Papuan civilians in Yahukimo, particularly in Dekai. In the weeks preceding this incident, several young Papuan men were arbitrarily detained by members of the Damai Cartenz task force. Most were later released due to a lack of evidence.
Furthermore, three members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were recently arrested and tortured by the Indonesian Marine Corps. The ongoing security presence and restrictions on civilian movement, particularly during evening hours, have significantly heightened fear and tension in the region.
Cases of arbitrary detention, accompanied by torture, have significantly increased in the Yahukimo Regency over the past months. On 28 June 2025, joint forces of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Police reportedly raided civilian homes in the Uam Village, Yahukimo Regency. During the operation, 27-year-old Peranus Balingga, a motorcycle taxi driver, was arbitrarily arrested, accused of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
The growing security force violence in Yahukimo has also affected human rights activists working in the regency. Human rights defender, Mr Marcho Pahabol, a member of the Justice Front for Tobias Silak (FJFTS) solidarity group, has been subjected to a series of intimidation and violent attacks in the town of Dekai.
Given the recurrence of violent incidents involving state agents, an independent investigation into patterns of arbitrary detention and excessive use of force in Yahukimo is urgently needed. National institutions such as Komnas HAM should prioritise monitoring the situation in Dekai and engage with Indonesian authorities to prevent further violations.
Human rights analysis
The arbitrary arrest and detention of Mr Stevanus Silak, Mr Eben Sobolim, and Mr Ami Sobolim violate fundamental human rights protected under international law. These include the right to liberty and security of person, guaranteed under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Indonesia ratified in 2006. Detaining individuals without a clear legal justification, access to legal representation, or judicial oversight constitutes arbitrary detention under international human rights standards.
This incident also reflects a broader trend of criminalisation of young Papuans, students, and civilians in conflict-affected areas such as Yahukimo. Such practices breach human rights and contribute to an environment of intimidation, impunity, and fear among local communities. The government of Indonesia must uphold its constitutional and international obligations to protect the rights of all its citizens, including indigenous Papuans. Ongoing military-police operations must be reviewed and brought under strict oversight to ensure accountability and the protection of human rights.