Home › Publications › Region: Europe/UK ›

Laws & regulations

New mine will mean more marine pollution in Sulawesi

Down to Earth No 68  February 2006

Villagers and NGOs are trying to stop a British-registered company developing a gold mine which could drastically affect the livelihoods of fisherfolk living in Rinondoran Bay, North Sulawesi.

Protests in Jakarta by community representatives from North Sulawesi against gold mining and its impacts on the marine environment, livelihoods and human health: the words 'Newmont', 'Buyat Bay' and 'STD' quickly spring to mind.

Legal or sustainable?

Down to Earth No 67  November 2005

As part of the international campaign to crack down on illegal logging, stop forest destruction and eliminate timber smuggling, the Indonesian government has been pressed to agree a definition of what is and isn't 'legal' in Indonesia's forests.

'Illegal logging' - defining legality, undermining rights

Down to Earth No 62 August 2004

Efforts to secure protection for local communities under a new timber trade standard may be undermined by an emergency decree on illegal logging.

In 2002, the Indonesian and British governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combat illegal logging and the illegal timber trade.

BRIK - a flawed approach

Down to Earth No 60  February 2004


Indonesia's forestry industry is becoming aware that consumers in Europe and North America want assurances that timber products are not imported at the cost of rainforest destruction.

International concerns over illegal logging dominate Indonesian forest policy

Down to Earth No. 58, August 2003


Meanwhile, the need to bring about fundamental reform is not addressed.

The international environmental campaigning NGO Greenpeace believes that Indonesia has the world's highest rate of forest loss. Even Indonesian government ministers now admit publicly that deforestation in the country is out of control. "While we might still be having problems with environmental issues like flooding, forest fires and pollution, we nevertheless think we can find a way out.

Indigenous rights in West Kalimantan

Down to Earth No 58  August 2003


An interview with Erma Suryani Ranik, volunteer for AMA Kalbar (Indigenous Peoples Alliance, West Kalimantan), who has been visiting the UK and Norway as part of DTE's programme with the indigenous peoples alliance, AMAN.

 

What are the main problems facing indigenous peoples in West Kalimantan?

The main problem is that our land rights are not being recognised.

The logging of West Papua

Down to Earth No 55  November 2002


Human rights abuses connected to the logging industry will increase in West Papua as more forests are destroyed and the Indonesian security forces continue their business activities in a climate of impunity.

In July 2002, West Papuan human rights group ELSHAM reported a series of logging-related human rights abuses committed between February and June 2002 by members of the Indonesian armed forces stationed in sub-districts around Jayapura.