On 14 February 2026, a joint team of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Yahukimo District Police (Polres Yahukimo) officers arbitrarily detained seventeen-year-old Elipianus Esema and Atios Sobolim,18, in the town of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. The arrests occurred in the vicinity of Block B shop houses following a fire incident earlier that evening. Both victims had reportedly left their homes near Blocks A and B to observe the fire. As of 15 February 2026, they remained in detention at Yahukimo Police Station.
On 14 February 2026, at approximately 9:30 pm, a fire broke out in Block B of Dekai. At approximately 10:15 pm, residents gathered to extinguish the fire. At around 10:30 pm joint security force officers were patrolling in the area, indiscriminately checking persons near the location. Officers arbitrarily detained Elipianus Esema and Mr Atios Sobolim at 10:40 pm. Authorities claimed that they were carrying a knife and a lighter at the time of arrest.
On 15 February 2026, relatives visited Yahukimo Police Station to seek clarification. The Deputy Chief of Police informed them that Elipianus and Mr Sobolim were under investigation for possession of the knife and lighter in connection with the arson incident. Both remained in custody on suspicion of involvement in the burning of Block B shop houses.
At 2:50 pm, joint security forces searched houses in the Pulau Complex, where the two detainees reside. Officers reportedly used five vehicles, forcibly entered homes, and confiscated cultural items such as traditional bows, arrows, traditional woven net bags (Noken), as well as machetes, axes, and shovels that all Papuans use for daily gardening work. Relatives and community members described the operation as an act of psychological intimidation intended to justify the earlier arrests.
Human rights analysis
The arrest and continued detention of Elipianus Esema and Mr Atios Sobolim raise serious concerns regarding violations of the right to liberty and security of person. Under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party, no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. Arrests must be based on reasonable suspicion supported by objective evidence.
The reported reliance on possession of ordinary household or subsistence tools as grounds for arrest appears manifestly disproportionate and insufficient to establish reasonable suspicion of participation in the alleged arson. The absence of clear evidence at the time of arrest suggests arbitrariness. Moreover, the detention of a 17-year-old minor, Elipianus Esema, additionally triggers protections under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), requiring detention to be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
Allegations of coercive interrogation practices at Yahukimo Police Station, including threats, forced confessions, and acts amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, if substantiated, would constitute grave violations of Article 7 ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT). Any confession obtained under torture or coercion is inadmissible under international human rights law and Indonesian criminal procedure law (KUHAP). The sweeping operation conducted on 15 February 2026 further raises concerns regarding the right to privacy and protection from arbitrary or unlawful interference with one's home under Article 17 ICCPR. Confiscation of lawful work tools and cultural items without proper legal basis may also amount to unlawful seizure of property and collective intimidation.
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. Elipianus Esema, male 17 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, criminalisation
2. Atios Sobolim, male 18 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, criminalisation
Period of incident: 14/02/2026-17/02/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Perpetrator details: TNI and Polres Yahukimo members
Issues: indigenous peoples