The human rights of Indigenous peoples of Papua are at risk with the Indonesian government’s plans to mine gold in Wabu Block, Intan Jaya regency.
Since late 2019, the increased presence of Indonesian security in Intan Jaya has led the area to become a hotspot for abuses by government security forces. Crackdowns on the freedom of expression, assembly, and other forms of abuses have continued with impunity. At least 12 Indigenous Papuans in the region have been victims of unlawful killings, leaving many residents with no option but to flee their houses and villages in search of safety in other cities and the forest.
Despite having the obligations to respect and protect Indigenous people’s rights, Indonesian authorities maintain a blind eye toward its duties, among which is to ensure that Papuans are effectively and meaningfully consulted in the policymaking that will affect them, including their rights to customary land, territories, economic and cultural rights.
A number of Indigenous Papuans have told Amnesty they oppose the mining plans for Wabu Block due to its potential to harm both the environment and local communities. They described using the proposed mining area for cultivating crops, hunting animals, and collecting timber.
The Indonesian authorities are obliged to consult with the affected Indigenous people in order to obtain their free, prior, and informed consent. Indigenous people have the right to give, or withhold, their consent based on prior information, voluntarily, and without coercion, to a project that may affect them or their territories.
Amnesty is concerned that if the mining plans go ahead amid the current tensions in the region, it will lead to more human rights violations. Call on the Indonesian authorities to prioritise and respect the rights of Indigenous Papuans.