By Sarjan Lahay on 17 March 2025

• On March 17, 1999, the first Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (KMAN) was held at Hotel Indonesia, Jakarta. From there, the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) was formed as a platform for the struggle of indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, until now, the recognition and protection of indigenous peoples are still far from being realized. The encroachment on the living spaces of indigenous peoples continues to occur.
• Rukka Sombolinggi, the Secretary General of AMAN, stated that the recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples are not merely options but obligations of the state as mandated by the constitution. She firmly urged the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to immediately enact the Law on the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights without further delay.
• Agung Wibowo, the Coordinator of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (HuMa), also mentioned that the situation of indigenous peoples in Indonesia continues to be marginalized by the national legal system. The existing laws often act arbitrarily and do not involve indigenous peoples. Whereas, they should be meaningfully involved in the decision-making processes.
• Uli Arta Siagian, the Campaign Manager for Forests and Plantations at Walhi National, stated that the problems faced by indigenous peoples are becoming increasingly complex, interconnected, and severe. These issues arise because of the state’s policies that consistently separate indigenous peoples from their living spaces in their customary territories, forests, and all natural resources within them.

On March 17, 1999, the first Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (KMAN) was held at Hotel Indonesia, Jakarta. From there, the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) was formed as a platform for the struggle of indigenous peoples.

That day also became the Day of the Awakening of the Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (HKMAN) and the anniversary of AMAN, serving as a momentum for the consolidation of the indigenous peoples’ movement in Indonesia to uphold their rights and position themselves as a primary component in the nation’s life.

Unfortunately, until now, the recognition and protection of indigenous peoples are still far from being realized. The encroachment on the living spaces of indigenous peoples continues to occur.

Rukka Sombolinggi, the Secretary General of AMAN, emphasized that the recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples are not merely choices but obligations of the state as mandated by the constitution. She firmly urged the government and the DPR to immediately enact the Law on the Recognition and Protection of Customary Law Communities (Indigenous Peoples) without further delay.

“Indigenous peoples have waited too long for justice. The government and the DPR must immediately enact the Indigenous Peoples Law, stop the expropriation of customary lands, and ensure our rights as guaranteed by the constitution,” she said.

AMAN continues to demand the enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Law, a regulation that guides the state in fulfilling its constitutional obligation to recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

The state, she said, must promptly respond to these demands as the situation of indigenous peoples in Indonesia continues to deteriorate.

AMAN’s data indicates that as of March 2025, there are 110 conflicts involving indigenous peoples, with the highest sectors being large-scale plantations, followed by mining, as well as infrastructure and energy projects under the national strategic project scheme. Additionally, the expropriation of customary lands continues to increase, reaching 2.8 million hectares by