JakartaPost-June 4, 2024
A campaign dubbed “All Eyes on Papua” has emerged as a prominent social media movement, demanding the protection of Papuan forests threatened by oil palm plantations planned to cover 36,000 hectares of land. The movement originated from the Awyu and Moi indigenous communities, who are seeking to safeguard their ancestral lands. Over 1.5 million Instagram users have shared stories, raising awareness and amplifying a call to action for the communities’ struggles. The controversy centers around palm oil plantations planned to be established on the Awyu and Moi tribes’ ancestral lands in Sorong, Southwest Papua, and in Tanah Merah, Bovel Digoel regency, South Papua. By gaining public attention, the indigenous communities hope to garner support in their fight against the environmental destruction, which would have significant global implications. The deforestation for PT Indo Asiana Lestari’s (PT IAL) oil palm project in Boven Digoel alone is projected to release 25 million tons of CO2 emissions, contributing to 5 percent of the carbon emission levels anticipated for 2030. The Woro clan of the Awyu tribe filed a public information dispute with the Information Commission in August 2022. However, the claim was rejected as it exceeded the time limit. The Woro clan then challenged the environmental feasibility permit issued by the Papua Investment and One Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP). The lawsuit filed before the State Administrative Court (PTUN) in March 2023 was dismissed, with the judges deeming the legal arguments irrelevant. On May 27, representatives of the Awyu and Moi tribes staged a peaceful protest in front of the Supreme Court building in Jakarta. The case has now reached the cassation stage, representing the last hope for the indigenous peoples of Papua to defend and fight for their ancestral forests. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2024/06/04/all-eyes-on-papua-movement-gains-momentum-online.html.
