On 4 April 2026, Marine Corps personnel (TNI-AL) reportedly detained Mr Yepi Magayang, 25, Mr Kayas Nepsan, 23. Mr Eri Odban, 20, Mr Enias Magayang, 18, and Mr Akilis Osu, 22, without legal grounds on Jalan Gunung, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. All detainees were reportedly beaten during detention despite not having committed any criminal offence.
According to the information received, the five men were on their way to collect family members who had come down from a village. Marine Corps personnel apprehended them on Jalan Gunung around 11:00 am. They were detained at a nearby military post and subjected them to physical violence while in custody. Officers punched the detainees repeatedly to the body during interrogation.
Four detainees were released at approximately 6:00 pm on the same day. They returned to their family homes in poor physical condition due to injuries sustained during the assault. Mr Akilis Osu was released the following morning, on 5 April 2026 at around 9:20 am. None of the victims received professional medical treatment after release.
The incident forms part of a growing pattern of arbitrary detentions, intimidation, and alleged torture by security force members in Dekai District and other parts of Yahukimo Regency over recent months. Reports indicate that indigenous Papuans travelling for work, family, or daily subsistence activities, have been repeatedly intercepted, detained, interrogated, and assaulted without a clear legal basis. The repeated involvement of military personnel in law-enforcement-type actions raises serious concerns regarding unlawful deprivation of liberty, abuse of authority, and the absence of effective accountability mechanisms.
Human rights analysis
From a human rights law perspective, the detention and assault of the five civilians may amount to violations of the right to liberty and security of person as protected under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The authorities should immediately conduct an independent and impartial investigation, ensure access to medical treatment and legal assistance for all victims, and hold the perpetrators accountable through criminal and disciplinary proceedings.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-059-2026
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Yahukimo, Dekai
Total number of victims: 5
1. Yepi Magayang, male 25 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
2. Kayas Nipsan, male 23 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
3. Eri Odban, male 20 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
4. Enias MAgayang, male 18 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
5. Akilis Osu, male 22 Indigenous Peoples torture
Period of incident: 04/04/2026-05/04/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia, Indonesian Security Forces, Indonesian Military (TNI), Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence