The first-quarter 2026 report highlights the human rights situation and armed conflict in Papua, which is assessed to have continued to deteriorate from January through March 2026.
According to the report, there are no signs of the conflict abating, as military operations in several regions are still ongoing and triggering a new wave of displacement among civilians.
HRM notes an increase in cases of arbitrary detention and alleged torture, particularly in the Yahukimo region and the central mountainous areas of Papua.
The report mentions that a number of indigenous Papuans, including women and minors, were detained during patrols and raids before eventually being released without formal charges.
Some detentions were also reportedly accompanied by acts of violence aimed at extracting information regarding armed groups.
Additionally, security operations in the mountainous regions reportedly involved the use of combat drones, mortars, and airstrikes in areas adjacent to civilian settlements.
As a result of the ongoing conflict, community activities in several regions have been disrupted, including education and health services, which are said to have ground to a halt in some areas.
HRM reported that more than 107,000 civilians had been displaced by March 2026 due to escalating tensions and security operations in Papua.
The report also highlights large-scale development projects and the expansion of security facilities, which are seen as potentially threatening the customary lands of Papuan communities and triggering land disputes.
On the regulatory front, HRM criticized the implementation of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in 2026, which are viewed as potentially restricting freedom of expression and weakening accountability mechanisms for gross human rights violations.
At the international level, several UN special rapporteurs and international human rights organizations have again called on the Indonesian government to grant broader access for independent observers to Papua.
They also expressed concern over the increasing militarization in the region and its impact on the conditions of civilians in conflict zones.