Press Release
“Humanitarian and Environmental Activists from Southern Papua Urge Supreme Court to Uphold the Appeal of Indigenous Communities Awyu from Boven Digoel and Moi from Sorong to Protect Their Customary Lands and Forests”
Jakarta, Monday (22/7/2024) – Representatives of the indigenous communities of Awyu and Moi Sigin from Papua returned to the Supreme Court (MA) building on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, Gambir, Central Jakarta. The Awyu and Moi Sigin Indigenous Peoples staged a peaceful demonstration with support from various civil society organizations and activists. Together, they submitted a Public Petition containing a total of 253,823 signatures to be presented to the Supreme Court. This petition calls upon the judges to support the preservation of Papua’s forests, which have long been the lifeblood of the Awyu and Moi Sigin indigenous communities.
Agustina Omdoan, a humanitarian activist from LBH Papua Pos Merauke, expressed full support for the struggle of the Awyu and Moi Sigin tribes to defend their customary lands and forests, which are now at the appellate stage in the Supreme Court of Indonesia. According to Agustina, this support is grounded in the fact that Papua’s indigenous peoples heavily rely on their lands and forests as sources of life. “From these lands and forests, communities derive direct sustenance such as food and drink provided by nature. Therefore, if customary forests are lost, indigenous communities will also lose their sources of livelihood,” she emphasized.
Agustina further highlighted the overlooked plight of indigenous women who are direct victims. “If corporate interests take over customary lands and forests, not only will they lose their means of livelihood, but indigenous women will also lose their living space, as they still depend on nature for their lives,” she added. “For Papuan women, the forest is like a mother, providing sustenance such as food and readily accessible natural medicines. Thus, when customary forests disappear, women are directly affected.”
Robertus Meanggi, representing the Awyu indigenous community from Anggai village, Jair District, Merauke, lamented the potential conversion of Awyu and Moi Sigin’s customary lands into large-scale investments or plantations, which could harm ecosystems and local flora and fauna. “Our Awyu community has existed since before the arrival of religion and government in our ancestral territories. Our lives are deeply intertwined with the forest and land because, to us, the forest is our nurturing mother from birth to maturity. Even in death, the land or ‘mother’ continues to sustain us,” he explained.
Robertus emphasized his full support for the struggles of the Moi Sigin and Awyu tribes. “On behalf of the Meanggi clan of the Awyu indigenous community in Anggai village, Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency, I fully support the efforts of the Awyu and Moi Sigin tribes to protect their customary lands and forests, and particularly to safeguard the Earth from the threats of deforestation and global climate crisis,” he affirmed.
Johnny Teddy Wakum, Chairperson of LBH Papua Pos Merauke, stated that the government’s arbitrary issuance of permits to investors without involving indigenous communities, as experienced by the Awyu tribe, blatantly violates their rights. “In the initial lawsuit in the State Administrative Court in Jayapura, the panel of judges dismissed the Awyu Indigenous Peoples’ lawsuit without considering the evidence presented by their legal representatives. Similarly, in the appeal at the State Administrative High Court in Manado, the panel of judges disregarded all arguments and evidence from the petitioners, resulting in the rejection of the Awyu Indigenous Peoples’ appeal. Therefore, the hope of the Awyu Indigenous Peoples now lies with the Supreme Court. By submitting a Public Petition with a total of 253,823 signatures and receiving full support from all civil society organizations, environmental activists, and solidarity movements, we hope the panel of judges at the Supreme Court handling this case will deliver a fair judgment for the Awyu and Moi Sigin indigenous communities,” he concluded.
Contact Person:
Johnny Teddy Wakum (082242450431)
Robertus Meanggi (0821299546506)
