Papuan environment defenders refuse to bow to intimidation
Threats and violence are all too common hazards facing rights and environmental activists in Indonesia s Papua region
Korindo Group is accused of destroying forests for palm oil plantations in southern Papua. (Photo courtesy of pusaka.org)
Environment defenders in Indonesia’s Papua region say they will remain steadfast in their mission to defend and protect customary land from destruction despite suffering intimidation, terror and violence at the hands of palm oil companies and security forces.
Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation, a Jakarta-based non-governmental organization campaigning for the rights of indigenous people in Papua, says attacks against defenders of customary rights continue unabated.
Indonesian archdiocese s MoU with palm oil firm sparks outrage
Korindo Group has been accused of destroying a huge swath of rainforest to pave the way for a plantation
An aerial view of fires at a palm oil plantation concession of Dongin Prabhawa, a subsidiary of the Korindo Group in Papua. (Photo: Greenpeace Indonesia)
Merauke Archdiocese in Indonesia s Papua province is set to receive billions of rupiah through a collaboration with an environmentally controversial palm oil company, sparking strong protests from local Catholics.
Protesters said they felt marginalized by the presence of the palm oil company, PT Tunas Sawa Erma, and its deforestation, saying this cooperation showed that the archdiocese is insensitive to their struggles.