Recent successes
Current petitions
Return to Indonesia – full of worry about what happens now
For two weeks, the rainforest defenders from Sumatra and Borneo have travelled Germany. They have specified to members of the parliament why sustainable palm oil is a lie. In Hamburg, their demonstration in front of the Unilever headquarter building has triggered big media coverage. But the company refused to acknowledge the demands of the activists and the indigenous people. “My heart is full of concern for our family”, Bidin says before his departure.
Floating protest against Wilmar
On Thursday, December 15th, Feri, Nordin, Bidin and his family chartered a barge in order to protest against Wilmar on the Weser River. The company that cuts down the Indonesian rainforest in favour of palm oil plantations, destroys villages and supplies Unilever with palm oil, operates a palm oil refinery in Brake near Bremen.
The rainforest defenders besiege Unilever
On Wednesday, December 14th, eight human rights activists and palm oil victims start their protest action in front of the Unilever headquarter building located at Strandkai 1. Among the protesters is the family of Bidin and Ida, natives of Sumatra. Unilever’s palm oil supplier Wilmar has robbed them of their forest and destroyed their homes and lives. Now, they want their land back – and they are going to stay until Unilever meets their demands.
Interview: Eyewitness account by the Indonesian rainforest defenders
Daily news about the visit of the Indonesians:Bidin belongs to the indigenous tribe of the Suku Anak Dalam; his family is one of 41 families living in Sungai Buayan. The village is located in the middle of a palm oil plantation – its surrounding forest has been cut down in favour of monocultures. For nine years now, the natives are making efforts to reclaim their common land; Bidin leads the negotiations. Click here and watch the full interview:
Daily news about the visit of the Indonesians: “Palm oil makes us poor!“
Muhammad Rusdi, Mayor of Karang Mendapo on the island of Sumatra, has studied economics. He dispels the myth that the Indonesian economy needs to grow further for the improvement of the common good.
Daily news about the visit of the Indonesians: The Indonesians in Germany
Our visitors finally arrive at the airport in Hamburg one hour behind schedule. Even though they are tired after the long journey, they are pleased to see our welcome sign: Selamat Datang teman-teman dari Indonesia! Welcome, dear friends from Indonesia! Meanwhile, the members of Ida’s and Bidin’s family who stayed behind in the devastated village are still massively under threat. Read the full story:
On the backgrounds
For many generations, the indigenous people of Sumatra have been living in the rainforest. They have made use of it, benefited from it, and they preserved it in order to secure their children’s future. But then, the trees were cut down, a plantation was built and oil palms were planted – all for the sake of palm oil that is contained in our candles, our packet soups and our detergents.
The Indonesian delegation
The rainforest defenders are coming!
Rainforest Rescue, Robin Wood and Watch Indonesia! have invited eight activists and victims from Indonesia to come. Among them is an indigenous family from Sumatra who has lost everything due to the operations of the palm oil company Wilmar.
The Silence of Pandas – What the WWF Isn't Saying
The WWF is the largest environmental protection organisation in the world. Trust in its green projects is almost boundless. With rousing campaigns, the WWF directly targets the conscience of its donors. Multinational companies are WWF partners and help to protect the environment. What is behind of all this green propaganda?
Indonesia: Victims of the palm oil industry
August 10th marks the low point in a long tragic history: A special operations force unit of the police and security forces of the palm oil company Wilmar used bulldozers and guns to storm the small village of Sungai Beruang which is located in the middle of a big palm oil plantation 40.000 hectares in size.
Lufthansa UPDATE: Effective demonstration against first biofuel flight
On July 15th, Rettet den Regenwald (Rainforest Rescue) and more than 20 supporters demonstrated against Lufthansa's first flight with so-called biofuels on Hamburg Airport.
Allianz Global Investors and palm oil
Rettet den Regenwald (Rainforest Rescue) has met Allianz Global Investors and has agreed upon a conjointly research regarding the palmoil industry.
Activists block Grangemouth docks port to stop Forth Energy’s mad biomass plans
Members of Action Against Agrofuels blocked the two sole access roads to Grangemouth docks yesterday, in protest over Forth Energy’s plans to build a biomass (wood) burning power station at the docks. The company, which is co-owned by Forth Ports, plans to build four large biomass power stations across Scotland [1]. Activists blocked off traffic to the entire port and fuel tankers were at a standstill. Seven protesters were arrested.
Rainforest Rescue on Facebook
Become a fan of our new Facebook page and get all the news updates! You can find us here:http://www.facebook.com/rainforest2rescue
Remonstrative Letter to WWF by the „Deutscher Naturschutzring“ (DNR)
The umbrella organization of all German environmental associations, the "Deutscher Naturschutzring" (DNR) prompts the environmental protection foundation WWF in a open letter of protest to leave the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) immediately. According to DNR, it is not acceptable to associate soy with "sustainability" and that the WWF "protects a failed system of agriculture and secures the profit of companies like Montesano and BP."
What is behind the "responsible" soy label? Detective Pig finds out
In collaboration with environmental and social rights organisations, including Rainforest Rescue, Monkeybizniz launches an animation which shows Detective Pig investigate the realities of soy labelled 'responsible'. The soy industry is not what it seems. Deforestation and toxic chemicals are being used in South America to grow soy so European cattle can be fed.
DWS pulls out of the multinational palm oil company Wilmar
According to our colleagues from Robin Wood, DWS, the Deutsche Bank fund management company, has eliminated all stock from the palm oil conglomerate Wilmar. In doing so, DWS has finally reacted to the criticism from environmental organizations like Robin Wood and Rainforest Rescue, which had called on the financial services provider to stop investing in Wilmar.
No 2 Mining in Palawan Campaign
Please, support the No 2 Mining in Palawan campaign from our friens in Palawan. Go to http://www.no2mininginpalawan.com/
Palawan Campaign: UNESCO express concern
We would like to share with all you the good news about UNESCO DG formally forwarding a letter of concern on the mining threats in Palawan to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the National Commission of the Philippines for UNESCO.
Massive UN-Supported African Palm Plantations Leading to Oppression, Kidnapping and Murder
The promise of carbon credits and free money from schemes like the U.N.-backed Clean Development Mechanism, appear to be among the causes of renewed violence.
Palm Oil in Honduras
Open Letter: UK Government must withdraw authorisation for Aguan and Lean CDM projects linked to assassinations and other human rights abuses in Honduras
Mining, indigenous rights and biodiversity - a rolling case in the Philippines
In spite of the growing outpour of international support and solidarity, it appears to be no end to the attempts of some government institutions to transform the Philippines “Last Frontier” (Palawan Island) into one of the most popular mining destinations infringing the rights of indigenous peopleand the the rules and regulations governing protected area management. Watch a video.