UN Calls for Explanation on Merauke Sugar and Ethanol Project after Environmental Appeal
UN Special Rapporteurs have responded to our appeal on the Merauke sugar and bioethanol project: they take our criticism seriously and issued a strong letter demanding the Indonesian government and the two companies PT Global Papua Abadi and Jhonlin Group, explain the alleged environmental destruction and violence.
According to environmental and human rights groups, the Merauke sugar and bioethanol project and the one million hectare rice project in the south of Papua are large-scale destructions of rainforest and Indigenous cultures planned by the state and carried out by the military.
The Indigenous people are defending themselves against the loss of their livelihoods and the devastating impact of deforestation on their land. They are demonstrating peacefully, and some have traveled to Jakarta several times to report on violence, human rights violations and the destruction of the environment. On their return, they have been threatened by the military.
In December 2024, a coalition of civil society and church groups, including Rainforest Rescue, appealed to the United Nations.
In our urgent appeal regarding the Merauke National Strategic Project, we called on the UN Special Rapporteurs on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, on Climate Change, on The Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, on The Right to Development and on The Working Group on Business and Human Rights to speak to the government as soon as possible.
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Immediately suspend the Merauke National Strategic Project, consisting of sugar cane plantations, sugar factory, bioethanol production and one million hectares of rice fields.
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Recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples in Merauke County under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including their right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to all development projects carried out on Indigenous or traditional lands.
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Thorough environmental and human rights impact assessments with the involvement of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and publication of the results.
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Conduct an audit of the companies' compliance with legal regulations and the environmental compatibility of the projects.
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No involvement of the Indonesian army (TNI) in national strategic projects in Merauke.
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Ensure that all Indigenous Papuans and other groups are able to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression and that they are protected from harassment, intimidation and attacks.
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Compensation for the communities that have already been damaged by the PSN Merauke.
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Restitution of traditional and Indigenous land to the Indigenous population and renaturation of forests, peat bogs, swamps and rivers.
You can download our urgent appeal to the UN here
Due to our lobbying, the UN Special Rapporteurs have indeed written to the government and the two corporations Global Papua Abadi and the Jhonlin Group, citing their concerns.
They are seriously concerned about the impact on the rights and lives of Indigenous people. In particular, they cite lack of food and water, loss of biodiversity, erosion of culture, identity and traditions. They fear land grabbing and destruction of ecosystems, and complete disregard of the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). They expect clarification of the allegations of intimidation and violence, deforestation and water contamination.
Read the UN Special Rapporteurs' letter to Global Papua Abadi here.
Here you will find detailed information with concession maps and information on Global Papua Abadi and the Jhonlin Group.
UPDATE!! On May 6, 2025, Indonesia's government finally responded to the UN Special Rapporteurs' letter. Read the official, diplomatic statement here.
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