On 18 February 2026, members of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force (Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade) and the Habema Operation Task Force (Indonesian National Armed Forces – Marines) arbitrarily detained four Papuan girls at Kilometer 5, Dekai City, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. The victims are Mrs Mira Silip, 19, Emeri Kobak, 12, Neti Silip, 13, and Silfa Kobak, 7, all ethnic Yali originating from Sumo District, Yahukimo Regency. According to available information, no arrest warrants were shown and no access to legal counsel was provided at the time of arrest.
On the evening of 17 February 2026, from approximately 8:00 pm, joint security forces patrolled Dekai and carried out random identity checks across Dekai City. Residents were stopped in public spaces, and their belongings and motor vehicles were searched. Officers reportedly focused on checking for sharp objects. Several residents were instructed to report to the Yahukimo Police Station for further questioning, while others were detained without showing a warrant.
From around 12:00 am on 18 February 2026 until the early morning hours, joint forces reportedly searched several housing complexes in Dekai. At approximately 06:30 am, four civilians were arrested at Kilometer 5, Dekai City. Among those detained were three children aged 7, 12 and 13 years.
On the previous night, 17 February 2026, two young men had already been arrested in the Block B shop house area on the grounds that their homes were located near the site of an alleged arson incident. They were found in possession of lighters and knives and were subsequently detained as suspects of the shop house arson. Some sources allege that they were also accused of being involved in the shooting of a pilot and co-pilot in the Korowai Batu area earlier this month. The Korowai Batu is geographically distant from Dekai, raising serious concerns regarding the evidentiary basis and logical coherence of the allegations.
Pattern of repeated arbitrary arrests in Dekai
The present case forms part of a broader and ongoing pattern of arbitrary arrests and short-term detentions in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. In recent months, security forces have repeatedly conducted search operations targeting residents, Papuan youth and activists, including members or alleged members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
Previous documented cases in Dekai describe similar practices: Arrests without clear warrants, short-term detentions at military or police posts, interrogations concerning alleged links to armed groups, and releases without formal charges. These incidents have involved both police and military personnel and have often been justified by vague references to the deteriorating security situation in Dekai or alleged affiliations with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
The arrests in February 2026 occurred against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Yahukimo Regency. On 17 February 2026, the Yahukimo Regency Government formally ordered the closure of hospital facilities and health services, including the Yahukimo Regional Public Regional Hospital (RSUD). On 18 February 2026 patients were reportedly discharged after medical staff refused to work amid escalating tensions. A meeting between the Yahukimo Police and business representatives on 17 February 2026 resulted in the reintroduction of restrictive kiosk closing hours and the discussion of possible curfews and additional guard posts, reflecting heightened security measures. On the evening of 18 February 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) established a post and began guarding the BERAZA health centre in Dekai, reportedly refusing requests from church and health officials to withdraw. Since midday, security forces have been deployed to guard hospitals, community health centres, schools, and offices, contributing to a climate of fear among the civilian population.
Meanwhile, the TPNPB released a statement in which they declared the Yahukimo regency a combat zone, calling upon all government workers and Non-Papuan civilians to leave Yahukimo, immediately. These developments take place within the broader context of the protracted armed political conflict between TPNPB and security forces, which has intensified in the period 2021-2026 and continues to expose civilians in Yahukimo Regency to significant protection risks.
Human rights analysis
The alleged detention of the four youth raise serious concerns under international human rights law and Indonesian domestic law.
First, the apparent absence of arrest warrants and the failure to promptly inform the detainees of the reasons for their arrest may constitute violations of the right to liberty and security of person and the prohibition of arbitrary arrest. Under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party, any deprivation of liberty must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Second, the arrest and detention of minors, particularly a child aged seven, raises grave concerns under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which requires that detention of children be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. The absence of legal assistance and child-sensitive procedures further suggests non-compliance with juvenile justice standards.
Third, night-time sweeping operations and house-to-house searches conducted between 00:00 and 06:30 WP may amount to interference with the right to privacy and family life, particularly where conducted without judicial authorisation or clear legal grounds. This right is protected under Article 17of the ICCPR.
The attribution of serious criminal responsibility for an alleged shooting in Korowai Batu to individuals located in Dekai, without publicly available evidence and despite significant geographical distance, raises concerns regarding the presumption of innocence and the risk of criminalisation based on proximity or ethnic and political profiling.
Detailed case data
Location: Dekai, Yahukimo regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia (-4.8638158, 139.4837298) Kilo 5
Total number of victims: 4
1. Mira Silip, female 19 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
2. Emeri Kobak, female 12 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
3. Neti Silip, female 13 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
4. Silfa Kobak, female 7 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 18/02/2026-18/02/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples, women and children