On 18 February 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly detained twelve Papuans, consisting of civil servants and other civilians, in the Holomama area, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah province. According to local sources, two detainees were accused without evidence of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and reportedly forced to swear allegiance to the Indonesian state (see photos and video below, source: independent HRD). The detainees were held for around one day before being released following pressure from their families.
According to the information received, military personnel conducted a late-night operation targeting residents living behind the Intan Jaya Regency Bappeda Office. The twelve individuals were taken to a military post in Holomama, where TNI members interrogated them. On 19 February 2026, family members, including women and children, visited the post to demand their release. Following these interventions, the detainees were reportedly allowed to leave later that day. Sources further reported that the Intan Jaya Regional Civil Service Agency (BKD) office building has been used as a military headquarters since 2019, while several government facilities, including the Regent's Office, remain under effective control of security forces. Military operations, including alleged covert night-time patrols and sweeps, reportedly continue across various areas of Intan Jaya Regency.
Human rights analysis
The reported arrests raise serious concerns regarding arbitrary deprivation of liberty, coercion to confess or demonstrate political allegiance, and the militarisation of civilian governance infrastructure in a conflict-affected region. Under international human rights law, arrests must be based on reasonable suspicion, lawful procedures, and judicial oversight, while detainees must be protected from intimidation and coercion. Forcing civilians to declare loyalty to the state in the absence of credible evidence may amount to psychological coercion and a violation of freedom of thought, conscience, and political opinion.
Security forces must clearly distinguish between civilians and members of organised armed groups and refrain from practices that may contribute to racial profiling, stigmatisation, or forced political declarations. The continued use of civilian administrative buildings for military purposes may also undermine the principle of distinction and civilian protection standards applicable in situations of non-international armed conflict.
Detailed case data
Location: Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, Indonesia (-3.7397323, 137.0417997) Holomama area
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Intan Jaya, Sugapa
Total number of victims: 12
12 - mixed unknown Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 18/02/2026-18/02/2026