The documentary “Selling out West Papua”, shown on Al Jazeera, with associated reporting by news portals Gecko and Mongabay, reveals how two Korean companies, Posco and Korindo, are engaging in corrupt deals as they buy up forests on a large scale to develop oil palm plantations in West Papua. The impacts for communities are devastating. See the video in English and with Bahasa subtitles here and read further here.
Communities and activists may be at risk of further violence and reprisals by companies and security services. Support the letter seeking to bring national and international attention to the situation in Papua. The letter is available for sign-on here
Moreover, incidents of violence, arrests, destruction of property, internal displacement, intimidation and death threats towards Indigenous Peoples and Environmental and Human Rights Defenders have risen alarmingly between April and June 2020. Amongst those targeted are: the Moskona indigenous people in the Regency of Teluk Bintuni (April 2020), Aifat indigenous people in Maybrat Regency (April-May 2020), Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Kampung Ikana, Kais Darat, South Sorong Regency (June 2020), and in Kali Kao, Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency (June 2020), Papua Province. Some incidents involve recurring violence against Environmental Human Rights Defenders. See the Press Release from the Pusaka Bentala Rakyat Foundation here.
