A 12-year-old boy, Yosua Segenil, was allegedly arbitrarily arrested by members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) on 2 May 2026, at approximately 3:00 pm on Jalan Kurima (Kali Biru) in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. According to information received by Human Rights Monitor, the security forces arrested the child without informing his family of the reasons for the arrest or his whereabouts. As of 5 May 2026, when the case was reported by local human rights defenders, Yosua's whereabouts remained unknown, raising serious concerns that he may have been subjected to an enforced disappearance.
According to information published by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and local human rights defenders, Yosua Segenil was apprehended by joint TNI – POLRI personnel while in the Kali Biru area of Dekai. Witnesses reported that the officers did not provide an arrest warrant or any explanation to the child, his family or members of the local community. Following the arrest, Yosua was taken to an unknown location. His family was reportedly unable to obtain any official information regarding his place of detention or legal status. In response, relatives appealed to churches, community leaders, youth organisations and civil society groups in Yahukimo to advocate for the child's immediate release and to pressure the authorities to disclose his whereabouts. Human rights defenders also called on the Indonesian authorities to provide an official explanation and guarantee the child's safety.
The reported arrest raises serious concerns under international human rights law. The arrest of a child without judicial safeguards, prompt notification of family members or access to legal assistance appears incompatible with Articles 9 and 24 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protect individuals from arbitrary arrest and require special protection for children. The failure to acknowledge the child's whereabouts may also amount to an enforced disappearance, contrary to the prohibition under international human rights law. Furthermore, Indonesia is bound by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which requires that detention of children be used only as a measure of last resort, for the shortest appropriate period of time, and that detained children have prompt access to their families and legal assistance.
Human rights defenders urged the Indonesian authorities to immediately disclose Yosua Segenil's whereabouts, release him unless lawful grounds for detention exist, and ensure his physical and psychological well-being. They also called upon the Indonesian authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the incident and requested oversight by the National Commission on Human Rights, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission and relevant humanitarian organisations. Civil society organisations, churches and community leaders were further encouraged to continue monitoring the case and advocate for accountability.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-081-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Yahukimo > Dekai
Total number of victims: 1
1. Yosua Segenil, diverse 12 Indigenous Peoples arbitrary arrest
Period of incident: 02/05/2026-02/05/2026
Perpetrators:
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police > Indonesian National Police (POLRI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
Source: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/12-year-old-boy-arbitrarily-arrested-by-joint-forces-in-yahukimo