On 23 March 2026, Marine Corps (TNI AL) members arbitrarily detained Yuni Suhun, 23, and Mr Eliaton Wetapo, 31, at the marines' post in the Kokamo Village, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province. They were reportedly subjected to torture during interrogation. Both detainees are indigenous Papuans and associated with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), a movement organisation, promoting the right to self-determination through peaceful means.
Mr Yuni Suhun and Mr Eliaton Wetapo were on the way to the river to pan for gold when they were intercepted at the marines control post in the Kokamo Village. The TNI-AL personnel detained them inside the military post. The military personnel reportedly tortured both activists during detention after finding KNPB-related video content on their mobile phones. The detainees were blindfolded and subsequently beaten on the head with bare hands and blunt objects while their hands were tied behind the back. The ties were only removed for eating.
Mr Suhun and Mr Wetapo were released on 25 March 2026 at 11:20 am after attending a ceremony in which they were coerced to kiss the Indonesian flag and pledge allegiance.
Human rights analysis
The arbitrary detention and torture both constitute serious violations of international human rights law and Indonesia's domestic legal framework. The arrest, carried out without a warrant and in the absence of any clearly defined criminal offence, violates the right to liberty and security of person as guaranteed under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Furthermore, the treatment inflicted upon Mr Suhun amounts to torture or, at a minimum, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under Article 7 of the ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT), to which Indonesia is a state party. The coercion to participate in a ceremony pledging allegiance to the Indonesian flag further infringes upon the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and political expression under Article 18 and Article 19 ICCPR.
The targeting of Mr Yuni Suhun and Mr Eliaton Wetapo based on their alleged association with the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) raises additional concerns regarding discrimination and repression of peaceful political activity. As described, the KNPB promotes the right to self-determination through non-violent means, which is protected under international law, including Article 1 ICCPR. The actions of the Marine Corps personnel indicate a pattern of criminalising peaceful political expression and collective identity among indigenous Papuans.
These acts may also violate provisions of Indonesia's Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which requires lawful arrest procedures and prohibits coercion, as well as obligations under the Indonesian Constitution to respect human dignity. Immediate, independent, and impartial investigations are required to ensure accountability. The incident is part of a broader pattern of arbitrary detentions in the Yahukimo Regency since January 2026.
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. Yuni Suhun, male 23 Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
2. Eliaton Wetapo, male 31 Activist, Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
Period of incident: 23/03/2026-25/03/2026
Perpetrator: Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL)
Issues: indigenous peoples