Papua Police Chief Addresses Land Ownership Amid 'All Eyes on Papua' Campaign

Papua Police Chief Mathius Derek Fakhiri has responded to the viral 'All Eyes on Papua' social media campaign, emphasizing that every inch of land in Papua has an owner. This campaign supports the struggle of Papuans in rejecting oil palm plantations on their ancestral land.

Why this matters: The resolution of the land ownership conflicts in Papua has significant implications for indigenous rights and environmental conservation globally. If not addressed, these conflicts could lead to further marginalization of indigenous communities and irreversible environmental damage.

The Awyu and Moi indigenous communities have taken legal action against the government and palm oil companies to defend their customary forests. These lawsuits are currently at the cassation stage at the Supreme Court, highlighting the ongoing conflict between corporate interests and indigenous rights.

In response to the rising tensions, Fakhiri has dispatched a special crime investigation unit to Mappi and Boven Digoel to inspect the issues directly on the ground. The police chief aims to resolve these matters within the week, seeking a common ground between the government, companies, and indigenous communities.

Fakhiri underscored the importance of respecting indigenous land rights, stating, 'I remind companies working in Papua that being mindful of the Indigenous communities is critical. Each soil in Papua has its lord.' His remarks reflect the growing recognition of indigenous claims and the need for corporate accountability.

The Awyu tribe's lawsuit targets the Papua Provincial Government for issuing an environmental feasibility permit to PT Indo Asiana Lestari (IAL) for a 36,094-hectare area. Similarly, the Moi Sigin sub-tribe is contesting PT Sorong Agro Sawitindo's (SAS) plans to clear 18,160 hectares of their customary forest for oil palm plantations.

Environmental activists like Asep Komaruddin of Greenpeace Indonesia have voiced support for the indigenous communities. Komaruddin emphasized the need to return customary forests to their rightful owners, stating, 'The customary forest should be returned to the Indigenous community as their rightful owners.'

The investigation's progression keeps the focus on balancing development with the preservation of indigenous rights. The outcome of these legal battles and the police investigation will be closely watched, as they hold significant implications for the future of land ownership and environmental conservation in Papua.

To recap, the 'All Eyes on Papua' campaign has brought international attention to the plight of indigenous communities in Papua. With legal actions underway and police investigations in progress, the resolution of these conflicts will be crucial in determining the future course of Papua's land rights.

Key Takeaways

• Papua Police Chief emphasizes that every inch of land in Papua has an owner, supporting indigenous rights.
• Land ownership conflicts in Papua have global implications for indigenous rights and environmental conservation.
• Awyu and Moi indigenous communities are taking legal action against the government and palm oil companies.
• Police investigation unit dispatched to inspect issues and resolve matters within a week.
• Outcome of legal battles and police investigation crucial for Papua's land rights and environmental conservation.