On 10 May 2026, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Police arbitrarily detained four indigenous Papuans at the residence of local parliament member Mr Danton Giban, located on Jalan Kurima in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. According to the reports received, security personnel entered the residence without presenting an arrest warrant, forcibly searched the house, damaged property, seized personal belongings and village administrative documents. Security force members apprehended and subsequently tortured Mr Kablik Giban, 46, Mr Matius Giban, 18, Mr Toni Giban, 43, and 14-year-old whilst in custody (see photos and table of victims below, source: independent HRD). All four were released in the morning of 13 May 2026 without charges due to lack of incriminating evidence for any criminal offense.
On 10 May 2026, at approximately 09:00 pm, security force personnel entered the residence of DPRP member Mr Danton Giban in the Kali Biru area of Dekai without presenting an arrest warrant or explaining the legal basis for their actions. During the operation, security personnel reportedly forced entry into the house, damaging at least seven doors. Officers subsequently conducted a search of the property and seized numerous items, including village administrative documents, village financial records, mobile phones, personal belongings, machetes, axes, kitchen knives, and other work tools commonly used for farming and household activities.
Following the house search, four persons including a minor were apprehended and brought in a Marine Corps vehicle to an undisclosed location. Relatives stated that no official notification regarding the detention was provided and that the detainees were taken away without due process. All four detainees were reportedly subjected coercive interrogation and torture whilst in custody. Security personnel punched and kicked them to their heads and bodies. One officer repeatedly whipped the detainees with a cable and electrocuted them with a stun gun (see photos and table of victims below, source: independent HRD). According to the testimonies received, the abuse was intended to force the detainees to confess affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
Family members demanded the return of all confiscated property and administrative documents. They further requested clarification from the Kodim 1715/Yahukimo Military District Command and the Cartenz Peace Task Force regarding the legal basis for the arrests and the injuries the four detainees sustained during detention.
Human rights analysis
The reported detention of four indigenous Papuans in Yahukimo on 10 May 2026 amounts to the arbitrary deprivation of liberty. Under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party, no person shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention, and any deprivation of liberty must be carried out in accordance with established legal procedures. In addition, the reported seizure of property and destruction of parts of the residence without a lawful warrant may also constitute an unlawful interference with privacy, family life, home, and property contrary to Article 17 ICCPR.
The allegations of beatings, electrocution, and coercive interrogations, if confirmed, would constitute torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment prohibited under Article 7 ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT). The prohibition of torture is absolute and applies under all circumstances, including security operations and armed conflict situations.
The detention and alleged torture of Weak Heluka, a 14-year-old child, raises additional concerns under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), particularly Articles 37(a) and 37(b), which prohibit torture of children and require that detention of minors be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-074-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 4
1. Weak Heluka, male 14 Indigenous Peoples, Student arbitrary detention, torture
2. Kablik Giban, male 46 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
3. Matius Guiban, male 18 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
4. Toni Giban, male 43 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, torture
Period of incident: 10/05/2026-13/05/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Perpetrator details: Members of the Kodim 1715/Yahukimo Military District Command and the Cartenz Peace Task Force
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children