Halt Mining that Threatens Peoples and Parks

Dear Sirs,

Mohon Tambang di NTT Dihentikan. Hak Masyarakat Setempat Perlu Dihormati.

Halt mining in East Nusa Tenggara. Respect rights of indigenous communities.

I am very alarmed to learn of serious human rights, health, and environmental abuses by manganese mining companies operating on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The worst cases reported are at Torong Besi and Kampung Sirise. In these communities, the Indigenous residents were never properly informed or consulted before the mining started. Now they are suffering economic, cultural, and physical harm, and their appeals for redress have fallen on deaf ears. The land, the air, and the sea are all contaminated because of irresponsible mining practices. This tragedy must be mitigated, and it must not be repeated in other communities of East Nusa Tenggara.

I urge you to undertake a comprehensive process of consultation with mine-affected communities in East Nusa Tenggara, respecting the human rights of the Indigenous Peoples and requiring their consent for mining projects that would affect them. I am especially concerned about the Lembata population that would be traumatically evicted from their island if the PT Merukh Lembata Copper project is approved. Such a brutal violation of Indigenous Peoples' rights must not be permitted.

Now is the time for Indonesia to commit resources to exploring alternative economic development paths with Indigenous communities that are environmentally sustainable and culturally appropriate.

Thank you very much for your attention to this urgent concern,