Indigenous Papuans and rainforest endangered by Merauke ammunition factory
Indigenous Papuans and their rainforest face a new threat in Merauke. Alongside the 2.7-million-hectare PSN sugar and bioethanol project, an explosives and ammunition factory guarded by the military is being built on Indigenous land. Solidaritas Merauke is calling for both projects to stop immediately.
In early July, officers from the Indonesian Armed Forces and representatives of PT Pindad laid the cornerstone for an infantry battalion headquarters and an explosives and ammunition factory in southern Papua.
The factory is expected to produce 1,250 metric tons of explosives and 170 million rounds of ammunition a year. Indonesia aims to meet its own demand for small-caliber ammunition within two to three years.
Indigenous Marind people living in the area were unaware of the plans until now.
The Merauke National Strategic Project (PSN) is being developed in Wanam and surrounding areas of Merauke. It includes vast rice fields, sugarcane and oil palm plantations, and biodiesel and bioethanol plants. The project is planned to cover 2.7 million hectares – an area more than twice the size of Northern Ireland. So far, the government has approved the clearing of 486,939 hectares of rainforest and other ecosystems.
Like the sugar and bioethanol project, the explosives and ammunition factory lies entirely within Indigenous territory. Its effects on people’s lives, culture, traditions and the environment are already immense. Arbitrary rule, violence and repression prevail, alongside arrests and detentions. People are being displaced, and lives have already been lost.
The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) are directly involved in the project. In 2024/2025, five battalions were deployed to Merauke to secure the forest clearing. The military’s presence alone creates fear. The factory and headquarters form part of an effort to subjugate people, consolidate power and plunder the provinces.
Press release from Solidaritas Merauke
Solidaritas Merauke – a coalition of civil society organizations, human rights and environmental defenders, and Indigenous community leaders – is calling on the president to halt the projects immediately.
Read the full press release in Indonesian: Proyek PSN Pengembangan Industri Pertahanan Wanam, Papua Selatan, Melanggar Hak Masyarakat Adat
These are the coalition’s arguments:
Violations of the constitution, laws and international law
The projects and militarization must end immediately. They violate the principles of sustainable development and democracy, and breach the constitution, national laws and international agreements on human rights and environmental protection.
The PSN for sugar, bioethanol and rice production, the explosives and ammunition factory, and military bases in Indigenous territories all conflict with the rights of Indigenous communities, the right to a healthy environment and the law governing land acquisition in the public interest.
Under the United Nations Declaration and the ILO Convention on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP and ILO 169), defense industry facilities and military bases in Indigenous territories are prohibited.
Security risks
Weapons and ammunition production facilities can become legitimate military targets.
Civilians also face risks from accidents, negligence and failures in the handling of ammunition. Before such facilities are built, these risks must be thoroughly assessed. The site must meet safety standards and provide the greatest possible protection for civilians.
State and corporate duties of protection and due diligence
We call on the government to apply the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and monitor state-owned and private companies in order to identify, prevent and mitigate the risk of human rights violations.
The government must stop granting permits and providing public services to companies whose business activities may violate human rights and that refuse to cooperate in making improvements.
We call on the companies, investors and project developers involved in these projects to carry out human rights due diligence and apply the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The role of the military in Papua
Papua is Indonesia’s most heavily militarized region. Official figures are unavailable, but human rights organizations estimate that around 56,000 regular soldiers (TNI) are permanently stationed across Papua’s provinces. Together with the police, there are around 83,000 security personnel.
The government argues that the military is needed to fight the independence movement. The police describe it as a group of 1,438 armed criminals with 361 firearms. The military is also said to be needed to secure vital industries.
Numerous human rights violations have been documented: extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, displacement, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and impunity for soldiers.
Read more about militarization and environmental destruction
Background on PSN Merauke
Papua: On militarization and environmental destruction
Pig Feast – documenting deforestation and the front lines of resistance in Papua
Geodata reveals rampant deforestation in Papua
UN calls for explanation on Merauke sugar and ethanol project after environmental appeal
Commission report: PSN Merauke sugar and bioethanol project violates human rights
Reports on the explosives and ammunition factory (in Indonesian)
https://tirto.id/pemerintah-akan-bangun-pabrik-bahan-peledak-di-wanam-papua-hiyc