Europe/UK

 

 

 
Letter to UK press, 31st October 2012
 
Sir,
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visits the UK this week. Indonesia has made strides towards democracy since the 1998 fall of Suharto and UK companies are increasing their investments in its burgeoning market. However human rights violations continue to abound in Papua where the right to freedom of expression is not upheld. Over 60 violations including stabbings and fatal shootings have taken place this year alone.

The following is extracted from 'Killing me softly with his song: inside another BHP Billiton AGM', October 25, 2012. Reflection by Richard Solly, Co-ordinator, London Mining Network.

Andrew Hickman of Down to Earth spoke of the destructiveness of the company’s coal project in Kalimantan, Indonesia. He was told that the company was still studying possibilities and would not go ahead with any major project during the coming year...

TAPOL and Down to Earth
Media advisory, October 24, 2012

Demonstrations planned for Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Press Release by London Mining Network and War on Want, 25th October 2012

Poor ‘hit by mines giant’ press £2,000-a-day peer

Plea to former UK international development minister

DTE briefing in advance of the visit of President SBY to UK, October-November 2012

For the full briefing pack with contributions from DTE and other civil society organisations, click here.

Policies aimed at promoting economic growth in Indonesia are leading to more and more of the country’s land and resources being taken over by large businesses. The process is further marginalizing Indonesia’s indigenous peoples and local communities.

Civil society groups question UK-Indonesia ties

Briefing by NGO Forum for Indonesia and Timor-Leste
18 October 2012

Fourteen years ago, the downfall of President Suharto in 1998 set Indonesia on a course of reform and democratic transition that has impressively transformed the country from a harshly repressive
dictatorship to a chaotic yet functional democracy.

But many problems remain. The country’s overall record on human rights, the rule of law and religious freedoms, still falls far short of accepted international standards.

DTE Letter to European Commission, 16th October 2012

 

Dear President Barroso,

Down to Earth (DTE) works with partners internationally to promote climate justice and sustainable livelihoods in Indonesia. We are deeply concerned to learn that the Commission’s potentially good amendments to flawed EU agrofuels policy could be weakened due to pressure from the industrial lobby.