Bulungan-Pelindungan and fulfillment of the rights of indigenous communities in Indonesia have become a serious concern for the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). Issues regarding indigenous communities are included in nine priority issues for Komnas HAM.
One of the efforts made by Komnas HAM to ensure the protection and fulfillment of the rights of indigenous communities is by conducting a National Inquiry by Komnas HAM, which was carried out in 2014-2015. Following the results of this inquiry, Komnas HAM conducted a field study with the Punan Dulau Indigenous Community in Sekatak District, Bulungan Regency, East Kalimantan on June 8-9, 2023.
The Punan Dulau Indigenous Community is one of the groups that have not yet received recognition. Commissioner of Research and Investigation of Komnas HAM, Saurlin P Siagian, emphasized the importance of indigenous communities in defending their territories. “My advice is to continue to maintain control over this area. Protect the forests, live off the forest, preserve the forests, and rivers,” Saurlin explained.
Komnas HAM is ready to push for the issuance of a decree on the recognition of the indigenous community and customary forest in Punan Dulau. “Komnas HAM will fight to ensure that the customary forest in Punan Dulau is protected and preserved. We will assist, we will work as hard as we can,” Saurlin stated firmly.
The Head of Punan Dulau Village, Kaharuddin, expressed several hopes. “We, the Punan Dulau Village, earnestly request the issuance of a Timber Harvesting Permit (HPH) for our customary forest area. The road that was passed through needs to be repaired. Build a bridge across the Magong River to facilitate the community’s economy,” he said.
The need for housing was also mentioned, with the hope that the relevant parties would build 100 units of decent housing. He also mentioned the lack of healthcare and educational facilities reaching the Punan Dulau Village.
“Build schools and provide teachers. Children are neglected, there are no schools, no education. Build a health center, healthcare facilities, and health workers,” Kaharuddin said.
The Coordinator of the Human Rights Advancement Sub-Commission, Anis Hidayah, appreciates various efforts of civil society groups in advocating for the decree on the recognition of the Punan Dulau indigenous community. “The role of NGOs in advancing human rights is key. Thanks to our friends, Komnas HAM has been able to come this far,” said Anis.
The field study conducted by Komnas HAM is a collaboration between Komnas HAM and the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Indonesia (HUMA Indonesia), the Participatory Mapping Work Network (JKPP), Padi Indonesia, and the Regional Board of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) in Bulungan. This joint field study marks a good start in building synergy to push for the issuance of the decree on the recognition of indigenous communities and the establishment of customary forests.
The Punan Dulau Indigenous Community is one of the 33 case studies in the National Inquiry by Komnas HAM that has not yet been determined. In this inquiry, Komnas HAM raised 40 case studies of violations of indigenous peoples’ rights over their territories in forest areas. Seven of these cases have been determined. (AM/IW).
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