JATAM Highlights Alleged Human Rights Abuse at IKN
Translator
Editor
7 May 2024 08:17 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The East Kalimantan Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM Kaltim) revealed alleged human rights violations in the Nusantara State Capital (IKN) project during a meeting with several Dutch government officials in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Friday, April 26. The meeting was also attended by a number of non-governmental organizations, including the East Kalimantan Indigenous Peoples Alliance (AMAN), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Pokja Pesisir.
“First of all, we hope that no other country or investor will invest in the development of the state capital,” said Teresia Jari, an activist from the East Kalimantan JATAM, recounting what she conveyed at the meeting to Tempo on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Tere believed that the IKN project had violated many human rights, such as taking away living space and damaging the environment. Evictions have also continued to occur since the construction of the Sepaku Dam until today. Therefore, she said, investing in IKN is an unwise decision.
Recently, Tere said that some residents had to flee elsewhere because their houses were confiscated. Some residents also felt uneasy because piles were suddenly placed near their homes.
Additionally, several residents claimed that the government only compensated them for half of their plots of land. “The method of grabbing the living space is becoming clearer and more real. They also received threats every day,” Tere said.
Tere mentioned that these were part of the findings of the East Kalimantan JATAM, written in several reports of studies and collaboration with other groups.
Nine representatives of the Dutch government were present at the dinner meeting, including Deputy for Economic Affairs Natasja van der Geest, Director General at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Michiel Sweers, Head of Economics Adrian Paalm, Deputy Ambassador, Head of the Economic Section, and Head of South and Southeast Asia at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Annemarie van der Heijden. No representatives of the IKN Authority were present at the session.
Apart from Tere, other NGO representatives at the meeting were Ali Imron from WWF, Saiduani Nyuk from AMAN Kaltim, and Mapaselle from the Pokja Pesisir.
HAN REVANDA PUTRA
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia to Propose Flood Control Policy in Bali's World Water Forum
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
