Between 1 March 2026, joint Indonesian military and police forces conducted raids in the districts Fef and Bamus Bama, Tambrauw Regency, South West Papua province. Security force personnel reportedly detained at least 12 villagers without warrants. Human rights defenders raised allegation of torture and ill-treatment, and documented mass displacement of villagers fleeing into forests. The arrests reportedly occurred between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on 18 March 2026 in several villages, including Banfot Village (Fef District), Bamus Bama Village, Bano Village and Jukbi (Jokbu) Village (Bamus Bama District). Identified detainees include Mr Tadius Yesyan, Mr Paulus Yesyan, Mr Wempi Yeblo, Mr Dominggus Yekwam, Mr Manfred Yekeam (Head of Bano Village), Mr Ayub Yekwam (Head of Banfot Village), Mr Lukas Yekwam, and five others whose identities remain unknown.
The military operation followed a violent incident on 16 March 2026 in the Jokbu Village, during which members of the West Papua National Liberation Aremy (TPNPB) reportedly killed two health workers, while two others escaped. The TPNPB claimed the health workers were found in possession of firearms, ammunition and communication equipment, alleging that the victims were intelligence agents working undercover as healthcare staff.
Between 17 and 18 March 2026, Indonesian security forces reportedly blocked the main road connecting Tambrauw Regency and Sorong Regency and conducted search and arrest operations across multiple villages. Witnesses stated that security personnel entered homes, forcibly dragged residents outside, and detained them without presenting arrest warrants or clearly identifying suspects. A video circulated locally showed several detainees with their hands bound and visible injuries, lying on the floor at the Tambrauw Police Headquarters in Fef (see video below, source: independent HRD).
The operation involved gunfire directed into or near civilian residential areas, which caused widespread panic. Many villagers including children, women, elderly persons and teenagers fled into nearby forests due to fear of further violence. Preliminary reports on 19 March 2026 indicated that additional Indonesian military forces had landed in Fef, prompting further civilian displacement and making independent verification of the situation difficult.
Human rights analysis
The reported arrests raise serious concerns regarding violations of the right to liberty and security of person, particularly where individuals were detained without clear evidence of involvement in criminal acts or armed hostilities. The binding of detainees' hands and eyes, coupled with visible injuries, indicates a risk of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment during arrest or detention. Such practices are prohibited under the International covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCRC) and the Convention against Torture and other Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
The practice of conducting indiscriminate or "blind" arrests during security operations in conflict-affected areas contributes to patterns of collective punishment and undermines the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants, which is central to international humanitarian law. Furthermore, the reported firing into villages and resulting displacement may constitute acts of intimidation against the civilian population and could amount to violations of the right to protection from arbitrary interference with home and family life, as well as the right to freedom of movement.
The presence of intensified military deployments in populated areas without adequate civilian protection measures also increases risks of further arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, or extrajudicial violence, particularly in remote regencies such as Tambrauw where access to legal counsel, medical care and independent monitoring remains limited.
Detailed case data
Location: Fef, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua, Indonesia (-0.7798216, 132.3665985)Region: Indonesia, Southwest Papua, Tambrauw, Fef
Total number of victims: 12
1. Tadius Yesyan, male adult arbitrary detention, torture
2. Lukas Yekwam, male adult arbitrary detention, torture
3. Paulus Yesyan, male adult arbitrary detention, torture
4. Wempi Yeblo, male adult arbitrary detention, torture
5. Dominggus Yekwam, male adult arbitrary detention, torture
6. 5 male adults Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
7. Ayub Yekwam, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
8. Manfred Yekwam, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
Period of incident: 18/03/2026-18/03/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Security Forces