MIFEE

Indonesia's Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) project is clearing land and destroying the traditional livelihoods of indigenous Malind and other groups in southern Papua.

Launched in August 2010, MIFEE involves the conversion of a vast area of land, including forests and peatlands, into plantations growing food, energy and other crops. Workers are expected to be brought to Merauke to meet the demand for labour.

DTE opposes any form of investment that is detrimental to the rights and livelihoods of the indigenous people of Merauke and supports efforts to empower them to defend their rights and sustain their livelihoods.

We support the call by indigenous communities in the MIFEE project area, for an immediate moratorium on additional concessions and any further implementation of the MIFEE project. The moratorium should continue until indigenous people's rights have been demonstrably secured in law and practice,­ in particular their ownership rights in and to their traditional lands, territories and resources. We support their right to give or withhold their free, prior and informed consent to any development affecting their lands or resources.