In the past three years, conflicts over natural resources and agrarian issues have been occurring more frequently. The trend shows that conflicts that were once latent have now become manifest. Conflicts that were initially simmering suddenly erupt to the surface. And this is happening all over Indonesia. Take for example Mesuji in North Lampung, Ogan Komering Ilir, Kebumen to Sumbawa.

HuMa notes that in 2012, there were 232 conflicts over natural resources and agrarian issues. These conflicts took place in 98 cities/districts across 22 provinces. The total area of these conflicts reached 2,043,287 hectares, or more than 20 thousand km2.

The plantation sector is the sector where most conflicts occur, followed by forestry and mining. Plantation conflicts occurred in 119 cases covering an area of 415 thousand hectares, while forestry conflicts occurred in 72 cases covering almost 1.3 million hectares in 17 provinces, and mining conflicts in 17 cases covering 30 thousand hectares.

A total of 91,968 people from 315 communities have become victims in these conflicts over natural resources and agrarian issues.

HuMa, through the People’s Legal Aid (PHR), has been advocating for over a decade for the recognition of the existence and rights of indigenous/local communities over natural resources that are the source of their livelihoods. The existing people’s laws are encouraged to become tools for managing and utilizing natural resources more justly.

The PHRs also contribute to empowering the collective abilities of indigenous/local communities to utilize their people’s laws to resolve conflicts internally and as a “legal shield” when interacting with external parties looking to exploit their natural resources.

Areas where indigenous/local communities live, assisted by PHRs, are able to defend their natural resources from encroaching investments that often disregard humanitarian and environmental aspects. These experiences are invaluable to be collected and serve as learning for all of us.

On October 8 – 10, 2013, hundreds of PHRs from Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Eastern Indonesia will gather to reflect and share experiences of advocating for rights over natural resources.

Venue: GOR POBKI, Wisma Sugondo, Jl. Jambore Raya No. 1 Cibubur East Jakarta.

Event details:

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

09.00 – 12.00 National Figures Oratory (Ir. H. Joko Widodo, Mahfud MD, Anies Baswedan) for the Public

13.00 – 17.00 PHR Panel Discussion (Themes: Judicial System, SDA Policy Law, SDA Conflict, PHR in Village Law and PPMA) for PHRs

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

09.00 – 12.00 People’s Legal Aid Discussion: Shaping Indonesia’s Future for PHRs

13.00 – 17.00 Launching of the People’s Legal Education School for PHRs and Journalists

Thursday, October 10, 2013

09.00 – 12.00 National Dialogue “Formulating the Position of Customary Justice in the National Judicial System” for PHRs and Journalists

For more information, please contact Anne at 0878 209 33 655.