Laws & regulations

Press Release by AMAN and DTE, Jakarta and London, 17th March, 2014

Civil society organisations in Indonesia and the UK have joined forces to urge their government leaders to protect the rights of indigenous peoples in Indonesia. It is critical that unfinished business on recognising and protecting the rights of an estimated 60-120 million Indonesians are implemented as the country’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono enters the last few months of his second and final term.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Merdeka Palace
Jakarta

The Rt Hon David Cameron, MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

March 17th, 2014

Re:  urgent action on indigenous peoples rights in Indonesia – your role as co-chairs of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post 2015 Development Agenda

 

Sirs,

DTE 89-90, November 2011

DTE last reported on the development of policy and projects in Indonesia to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in early 2010. At that point, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono had made an international commitment to limit Indonesia’s carbon emissions, and had announced plans to plant million of hectares of new forests.

Down to Earth No.82, September 2009

As Indonesia pushes ahead with plans for REDD, the World Bank and others are making ill-prepared agreements on funding projects in Indonesia.

Down to Earth No.80-81, June 2009

Indonesia's forestry department has extended a 2009 deadline for pulp companies to source their wood supply from tree plantations only. Now companies can continue pulping natural forests until 2014.

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008


International pressure to get pilot schemes for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) up and running between now and the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009 could mean that crucial issues - including land and resource rights in forests - are sidestepped.


Why the pressure for REDD? Land use change and forestry are estimated to account for around 20% of annual carbon emissions, second only to the energy sector.

Down to Earth No. 76-77 May 2008

This report is based on information from a field visit by DTE staff to Meratus in 2008, and from the South Kalimantan based NGO, LPMA

For indigenous peoples like the Meratus Dayak of South Kalimantan, farming is not only a means to obtain food, but also forms part of the customary (adat) rituals that have been passed down the generations.