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Land and food security

NGOs oppose South Kalimantan pulp mill

Down to Earth No 62 August 2004

A group of thirty Indonesian and international NGOs have called for the cancellation of South Kalimantan's first pulp mill project.

Indonesia to sign biosafety instrument

Down to Earth No 62  August 2004

NGOs in Indonesia have worked hard to convince their government that it should do more to protect farmers and consumers from the risks of genetically modified crops. Now their efforts have borne fruit.

Indonesia's parliament began the process to ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in July 2004 - a move that should ensure greater protection against the potential negative impacts of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Brutal crackdown at Newcrest's Halmahera mine leaves one dead

Down to Earth No 60  February 2004

The death of a local man at the hands of police guards employed by an Australian mining company is a grim reminder that mining companies, backed by repressive government policies, put profits before people.

One man was shot and another almost beaten to death when members of Indonesia's special forces police (Brimob) broke up a protest by customary landowners at Nusa Halmahera Minerals' Toguraci gold mining area, on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, in early January.

War and food security in Aceh

Down to Earth No 58  August 2003


Aceh's civilian population is being worst affected by the war in Aceh. The threat of famine looms as food security is severely undermined by the conflict.

Indonesia launched its all-out war in Aceh after declaring martial law on May 19th, following the breakdown of the most promising peace initiative for many years. With 50,000 troops due to be sent to the territory, this is Indonesia's biggest military operation in Aceh - and its biggest operation anywhere since the invasion of East Timor in 1974.

Shrimp business destroys mangroves and livelihoods

Down to Earth No 58  August 2003


Shrimp exports from developing countries - including Indonesia - are bringing foreign exchange earnings to exporter governments and profits to entrepreneurs. But the real price is being paid by communities whose coastal resources are wrecked both by commercial shrimp farms and shrimp trawling.

Forestry Minister Prakosa warned in May this year against the total destruction of mangrove forests in Indonesia. He said that strong determination and commitment was required to prevent further damage.

In brief... DTE 57 - May 2003

Down to Earth No. 57, May 2003

 

Earth Day protests against TPL Sumatra pulp plant

April the 22nd - Earth Day - saw more protests against the Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) plant (formerly Indorayon) which was reopened earlier this year. Environmental organisation WALHI, plus a host of national and local NGOs and community groups, dedicated the events to the people and environmental campaigners of Porsea, who have long suffered from the mill's pollution.

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.