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Papuan plea to Widodo to save forests

Radio New Zealand International - August 31, 2016

• Smoke from Indonesian fires hits 'unhealthy' levels in Singapore as authorities push to hunt offenders – Reuters. August 26, 2016
• Riau Police drops probe into 11 firms linked to forest fires – Jakarta Post. July 20, 2016
• Firms responsible for 2015 fires go largely unpunished – Jakarta Post. June 14, 2016
• Fingers point as threat from Papua forest fires increases – UCA News. December 2, 2015
• Food estate project may turn Papua into forest fire hotbed – Jakarta Post. October 30, 2015

The Catholic UCA news service reports Father Anselmus Amo saying the forest in Papua's Muting area, about 200 kilometres from Merauke, is being snatched from tribal people who depend on it for their survival.

Tribal leaders say they are being intimidated by the military to hand their land over to the palm company – PT Agroprima Cipta Persada.

The priest who heads the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission said he had petitioned the president because he was the last hope for the people. He said petitions sent to the local government, military, and police have been ignored.

Father Amo told the website that the issue has caused widespread anxiety and tension between people, the company, local government and law enforcers. He said he has also approached the National Commission on Human Rights.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/312248/papuan-plea-to-widodo-to-save-forests.

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