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Indigenous Peoples

The Indonesian Timber Legality Verification Standard: words are not enough

Down to Earth No. 73, May 2007


After a long and tortuous process, the working group given the task of agreeing the final version of Legality Standard for Indonesian Timber has completed its work. What its impact will be on the ground, where Indonesia's forests are disappearing fast, remains to be seen.


The final draft of the Indonesian Timber Legality Verification Standard was officially handed over to the Forestry Department at the beginning of February 2007.

AMAN Congress III: towards democracy, prosperity and autonomy

Down to Earth No.

Oil palm and the United Nations

Down to Earth No. 71, November 2006

Indigenous peoples are trying to restrict the expansion of large-scale oil palm plantations in Indonesia and other southeast Asian countries This article was written by Mina S. Setra of the West Kalimantan Indigenous Peoples' Alliance (AMA Kalbar), following her visit to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples in New York earlier this year.


This year has been important for indigenous peoples all over the world.

SBY on Indonesia's Indigenous Peoples

Down to Earth No. 71, November 2006

Indonesia's president has spoken his views on indigenous peoples in Indonesia, but will his words be translated into much-needed action?

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has called on government officials to pay more attention to indigenous people's interests when preparing development programmes.

Palm oil is not green

Down to Earth No. 71, November 2006


Plans have been shelved to use palm oil in a UK power station after campaigners highlighted the negative consequences for local communities, forests and wildlife.

Indigenous groups hail declaration breakthrough


Down to Earth No.

Forest policy and Indonesia's natural resources crisis: a view from Jakarta

Down to Earth No. 70, August 2006


This article is based on an interview with Andiko, Coordinator of the Legal Reform Programme of HuMA, the Association for Community and Ecology-Based Legal Reform, in Jakarta. Andiko is actively involved in various legal reform discussions and campaigns on natural resources management.