On 26 May 2026, members of the Marine Corps (TNI-AL) allegedly arrested the two Papuan pupils Atinus Payage, 16, and Aman Heluka, 17, (see photo on top, source: independent HRD) in the Paradiso area of Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province. The boys were taken away in a military truck. As of 28 May 2026, their families had reportedly been unable to confirm their whereabouts, condition, place of detention, or the legal grounds for their arrest.
According to the chronology received, Atinus Payage and Aman Heluka were walking from the Paradiso area towards their homes at approximately 08:20 am when they encountered TNI-AL personnel travelling in a truck. The military members reportedly jumped out of the vehicle and apprehended the two students without providing any explanation to their families or the local community. Thereupon, Atinus and Aman were taken by truck towards Dekai Town. Their families subsequently attempted to locate the minors at the Yahukimo Police Station, but police officers explained that the two students were not being detained there.
Atinus Payage and Aman Heluka originate from the same village. and are congregation members of GKI Ebenhaizar Dekai Church. Both were enrolled to the Ogoruka State Primary School and had reportedly just completed their exams before continuing to secondary school in Dekai. Their current condition and whereabouts remain unconfirmed.
Human rights analysis
The alleged arrest of two minors by military personnel without prompt information on their whereabouts raises serious concerns under international human rights law and Indonesian law. Where state agents deprive individuals of their liberty without acknowledging their detention, disclosing their location, or providing access to family and legal safeguards, the case may amount to arbitrary detention and could raise concerns of enforced disappearance, particularly during the period in which their whereabouts remain concealed. The reported arrest and incommunicado detention of minors by TNI personnel without a warrant or clear legal grounds and without disclosure of their whereabouts may amount to an arbitrary deprivation of liberty as stipulated in Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Also under Indonesian law, the arrest of civilians fall within the competence of the police and must be carried out in accordance with due process guarantees, including the requirement of a lawful basis and proper procedural safeguards.
The fact that both victims are minors further heightens the obligation of the authorities to ensure their protection, safety, access to family members, and treatment in accordance with the best interests of the child. The arbitrary detention of Atinus and Aman potentially violates Articles 37(b) and 37(d) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which require that detention of children be used only as a measure of last resort and that detained children have prompt access to legal and other appropriate assistance. The authorities are obliged to promptly disclose the whereabouts of the two students, ensure access to their families, and guarantee their safety and wellbeing whilst in custody.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-072-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 2
1. Atinus Payage, male 16 Indigenous Peoples, Student arbitrary detention
2. Aman Heluka, male 17 Indigenous Peoples, Student arbitrary detention
Period of incident: 26/05/2026-29/05/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI) > Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL)
Issues: indigenous peoples