Action Alert - Free Community activists in North Maluku

Action Alert - Free Community activists in North Maluku, Indonesia

4 February 2004

The following is an action alert and sample letter demanding justice for people shot, beaten and arrested at Newcrest Mining Ltd's illegal mine in North Maluku, Indonesia.

For more details see www.jatam.org, www.walhi.or.id and www.mpi.org.au

Your help is much appreciated!

Sample letter

To:

North Maluku Police
AKBP Drs. Andi Bambang Sky S.H.
Kapolres Maluku Utara
Jl Hasan Esa No. 1
Ternate, Maluku Utara
Fax: +62 921 21023

National Police Chief
Com. Gen. D'ai Bachtiar, Kapolri
Markas Besar Kepolisian RI
Jl. Trunojoyo 3
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
Fax: +62 21 720 1402

Governor of North Maluku
Drs. Taib Armain
Jl Revolusi No. 1
Ternate, Maluku Utara
Fax: +62 921 327 418 / +62 921 23036

Attorney General
Muhammad Abdul Rachman, Jaksa Agung
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No.1
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12130
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 720 8557 / 725 0213 / 739 2576

National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)
Mr. Gembong Priyono, Secretary General
Jl Latuharhary No. 4B, Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 3925227

Dear Sirs,

It is essential that the community of Kao and Malifut be allowed to express their views about Newcrest Mining's illegal mine in Toguraci Protected Forest which breaches Forestry Law No41/1999. The right to peaceful protest is a basic human right, as is the right to life, which was violated by Brimob paramilitary police acting as security for Newcrest Mining Ltd in North Maluku.

There must be an immediate end to fear and intimidation aiming to silence community members who speak out against the illegal operations of this Australian company. The international community will not stand by as people are shot, arrested and beaten to facilitate an Australian-owned mine on Indonesian indigenous lands without proper negotiation with local people.

There must be an investigation by the the Indonesian and Australian governments and by the Indonesian Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS HAM) into the operations of Newcrest Mining and into the actions of Brimob acting as their security. There must be justice for the shooting of Rusli Tungkapi, and arrested community activists Reynold Simanjuntak, Asrul Hisuaibun and Fahri Yamin must be released immediately pending independent investigation.

I join the calls by Indonesian NGOs for an end to military and paramilitary security at natural resources projects. If a resources company has to resort to such measures against local people then they have failed in their obligation to negotiate a "licence to operate" from their host community, and have no right to be there at all.

Thank you for your thoughful attention to this letter. I trust you will immediately ensure the safety and freedom of community activists in Kao and Malifut, just as you ensure the safety and freedom of other citizens.

<Insert your name>