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Land and food security

Mamberamo mega-project to proceed

Down to Earth No 49 May 2001


An eco-disaster in the making, the Mamberamo mega-project is to go ahead soon, according to Indonesian government officials. The first stage of the project will go ahead after the implementation of 'special autonomy' and will be jointly managed by foreign investors, through the Jakarta and provincial administration, according to Dance Flassy, head of Development of Irian Jayan Autonomy.

Aceh: ecological war zone

Down to Earth No. 47, November 2000

Natural resources are one of the main factors underlying the independence struggle in Aceh, but decades of plunder have left them severely depleted.

The brutal murder of the internationally known Acehnese human rights activist, Jafar Siddiq Hamzah, reminded the world in September that the northern-most tip of Sumatra remains a dangerous place. Despite a 'humanitarian pause' signed by Indonesia and Acehnese independence leaders in June this year, the murders, disappearances and torture have continued.

NGOs accuse Unocal

Down to Earth No. 45, May 2000

Environmental NGOs JATAM and WALHI have exposed the long-running problems of pollution near the site of US-based Unocal's oil and gas terminal.

On February 11th heavy rains caused a spillage from the company's waste facility at Tanjungsantan on the East Kalimantan coast.

AMAN: Indonesia's new indigenous voice

Down to Earth No. 41, May 1999

The first ever Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago has met in Jakarta. A new indigenous peoples' alliance, AMAN, has been launched and the need to address the issue of indigenous peoples has been brought to the attention of the government, the political parties and the public.

Famine kills thousands, military make things worse

Down to Earth No. 37 May 1998

The famine in the central mountains of West Papua has claimed thousands of lives this year. Recent information from the area tells how the Indonesian military are making matters worse, while Jakarta ignores the tragedy.

Villagers in the remote, rugged terrain of the central highlands of West Papua are continuing to starve.

Famine grips West Papua

Down to Earth No. 36 February 1998

The highland region of West Papua is in the grip of the worst famine in living memory. Thousands are dying of starvation and disease. The effects of the prolonged drought have been exacerbated by apparent government indifference, lack of transportation for relief supplies and inappropriate "solutions" to the crisis.

The push for indigenous rights

Down to Earth No. 36, February 1998

Indigenous representatives from different parts of the archipelago have demanded that the Indonesian government respect their rights. A joint visit to Jakarta in October is a sign of the growing momentum of the indigenous movement in Indonesia.