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Indonesia: Tulang Bawang farmers reclaim their land but face fabricated charges
Asian Human Rights Commission Urgent Appeal - November 16, 2016
Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has information provided by the Land Reform Commission (KPA), a national NGO documenting land conflicts. It is regarding land grabbing and a fabricated case against local farmers in Tulang Bawang, Lampung. The farmers and local community have been struggling to reclaim their lands since 1993, which were forcibly occupied by the Bangun Nusa Indah Lampung Company (PT. BNIL). After the company occupied the land, there were serious threats and intimidation for the farmers to sell their land. Under the current regime, the police and the government failed to help find a solution for the farmers. The problem is still ongoing. The farmers and the local community remain unprotected.
Case narrative:
On September 2016, approximately 2000 farmers in Tulang Bawang, Lampung province conducted a protest and occupied the PT. BNIL plantation. Previously, the land belonged to the farmers before it was forcibly occupied by PT. BNIL in 1993. The PT. BNIL, together with the military and police, forced the local farmers and community to sell their lands to the PT. BNIL, amounting to IDR. 100.000.
After the company forcibly occupied the land, farmers and community members finally demanded and reclaimed their property. In the interim, nine farmers are victims of human rights violations, through attacks and illegal arrest. On October 2, 2016, farmers and community were provoked by thugs. And they fought back. Many motorcycles and cars belonging to the PT.BNIL were destroyed by farmers and community members.
The Lampung regional police office (Polda Lampung) deployed four companies of troops to attack the people who were occupying the land. Twelve farmers and activists, who accompanied the residents, were arrested.
On October 11, Sugianto, an activist and advocate of the case, along with three farmers came to Jakarta, arriving at 07.00 pm local time. They visited the KPRI's office (Social Services Organization) in Mampang Prapatan IV.
After dinner, at a shop near the KPRI's secretariat, two farmers from Tulang bawang returned to Lampung. Sugianto and one farmer stayed in the KPRI's secretariat. Conditions were crowded, full of people having regular meetings. Sugianto and the farmer went to the second floor.
Sugianto was sleeping on the second floor of the KPRI's office. At midnight he was arrested by the police. The one farmer was not arrested. People who witnessed the arrest were Sastro, Dadan, Deni, Irwan, Yayan, Rozi. At 02:30 am local time, the police returned to the secretariat to get a bag belonging to Sugianto. Inside the bag there was a laptop and two mobile phones.
Suggested action:
Please write the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the land occupied by the Bangun Nusa Indah Lampung Company (PT. BNIL) must be audited properly and a proper mechanism set up to solve the on-going problem. Any form of criminalization and illegal arrest must be stopped, farmers and activists who are still detained must be released.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression calling for their intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: http://www.urgentappeals.net/support.php?ua=AHRC-UAC-145-2016
Sample letter:
Dear....................,
Indonesia: Tulang Bawang farmers reclaim their land but face fabricated charges
On September 2016, approximately 2000 farmers in Tulang Bawang, Lampung province conducted a protest and occupied the PT. BNIL plantation. Previously, the land belonged to the farmers before it was forcibly occupied by PT. BNIL in 1993. The PT. BNIL, together with the military and police, forced the local farmers and community to sell their lands to the PT. BNIL, amounting to IDR. 100.000.
After the company forcibly occupied the land, farmers and community members finally demanded and reclaimed their property. In the interim, nine farmers are victims of human rights violations, through attacks and illegal arrest. On October 2, 2016, farmers and community were provoked by thugs. And they fought back. Many motorcycles and cars belonging to the PT.BNIL were destroyed by farmers and community members.
The Lampung regional police office (Polda Lampung) deployed four companies of troops to attack the people who were occupying the land. Twelve farmers and activists, who accompanied the residents, were arrested.
On October 11, Sugianto, an activist and advocate of the case, along with three farmers came to Jakarta, arriving at 07.00 pm local time. They visited the KPRI's office (Social Services Organization) in Mampang Prapatan IV.
After dinner, at a shop near the KPRI's secretariat, two farmers from Tulang bawang returned to Lampung. Sugianto and one farmer stayed in the KPRI's secretariat. Conditions were crowded, full of people having regular meetings. Sugianto and the farmer went to the second floor.
Sugianto was sleeping on the second floor of the KPRI's office. At midnight he was arrested by the police. The one farmer was not arrested. People who witnessed the arrest were Sastro, Dadan, Deni, Irwan, Yayan, Rozi. At 02:30 am local time, the police returned to the secretariat to get a bag belonging to Sugianto. Inside the bag there was a laptop and two mobile phones.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the land occupied by the Bangun Nusa Indah Lampung Company (PT. BNIL) must be audited properly and a proper mechanism set up by the government to solve the on-going problem. Any form of criminalization and illegal arrest should be stopped, farmers and activists still being detained must be released.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
...................
Please send your letters to:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of
the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No.
16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458
595
Fax: +62 21 3484
4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna
Laoly
Minister of Law
and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna
Said Kav. 6 – 7
Kuningan, Jakarta
12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525
3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525
3095
3. Dr. Mualimin
Abdi SH., MH
Director General
of Human Rights
Office of the
Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna
Said Kav. 6 – 7
Kuningan, Jakarta
12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol.
Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National
Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo
No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384
8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220
669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky
Indarti
Commissioner
of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa
VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru,
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739
2315
Fax: +62 21 739
2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id,
skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor.
Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of
Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna
Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. Dr. HM. Azis
Syamsuddin, SH
Chairperson of
the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III
DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara
II DPR RI, Lt I
Jalan Jenderal
Gatot Subroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp: +62 21
-5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax: +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Abdul Haris
Semendawai
Chairperson of
the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan
Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
JL. Proklamasi
No 56 Jakarta Pusat 10320
Tel: +62 21 31907021
Fax: +62 21 3190606/+62
21 31927881
9. M. Imdadun
Rahmat
Chairperson of
the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary
No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392
5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392
5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals
Programme
Asian Human Rights
Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
Source: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-145-2016.
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