Urgent letter of concern for the safety of land and human rights defenders impacted by the Korindo Group and POSCO International, from 126 NGOs

To:

Friday, July 3, 2020

Re: Urgent concern for the safety of land and human rights defenders impacted by the Korindo Group and POSCO International, Indonesia.

To all concerned

We write with an urgent appeal for your immediate attention and diligence in preventing further human rights abuses associated with the operations of the Korindo Group and POSCO International.

Following the release of an Al Jazeera documentary aired on 25th June 2020, which featured testimony and a range of other disturbing evidence and allegations of wrongdoing by both Korindo and POSCO operations, we are gravely concerned for the safety of impacted communities and individuals.

The death of Papuan farmer Marius Betera (MB) on 16 May this year highlights the pattern of violence and intimidation faced by communities and individuals who voice grievances against company operations or assert their rights under the Indonesian Constitution. According to a civil society statement, Marius died hours after being beaten by a policeman outside the field offices of PT Tunas Sawa Erma (Korindo Group), where he had arrived to complain against Korindo’s destruction of his banana farm. Korindo have also issued a statement about the death. Since his death, community member Petrus Kinggo (PK), who has been searching for answers on the death of MB, reports being threatened by men who arrived from Korindo’s company camp. PK has also discovered that photos of him circled in red have been distributed by Whatsapp without knowing the source and motive for the distribution.

We also note and support the submission by Indonesian CSOs to a number of UN Special Rapporteurs and the Indonesian Government, urging a full and transparent investigation into Marius’ death, justice and remedy for Marius’ family, and demands that security services uphold people’s rights instead of acting as enforcement agencies for private corporate interests.

Korindo’s threat to pursue legal action against CSOs and media outlets investigating its conduct adds to its record of trying to avoid scrutiny through legal bullying.

To the Korindo Group and POSCO International: we demand respect for the human rights of all communities impacted by your operations, to ensure the safety of all stakeholders including community members, workers and CSOs, commit to full remedy for prior harms done through a transparent process involving all affected stakeholders, and fully cooperate in any investigations into alleged land and human rights abuses linked to your company group operations.

To all public bodies with oversight or enforcement responsibilities for protecting human rights: to proactively intervene in the situation by warning Korindo, POSCO and local security services that complete restraint must be shown and that any rights violations or other retaliation measures against communities or activists will not be tolerated, and to fully investigate any allegations of land or human rights abuses.

To all organizations and companies that are enabling or profiting from Korindo and POSCO operations: to publicly announce a commitment to zero tolerance for any rights violations in supply chain or investment relationships, to undertake robust due diligence and monitoring of Korindo and POSCO operations, participate in any investigation or remedy process linked to business relationships, and to suspend relationships if acceptable standards of operation are not rapidly assured.

From:

Download the letter here.