Jakarta, 11 March 2013

H.E Mr. Zulkifli Hasan
Minister of Forestry, Republic of Indonesia
Gedung Pusat Kehutanan Manggala Wanabakti
Blok I Lantai 4 Jl. Gatot Subroto - Senayan, Jakarta Pusat 10270
Telp. +6221 5731820 / +6221 5700278
Fax. +6221 5700226

H.E Mr. Timur Pradopo
Head of Indionesian Police Force
Markas Besar Kepolisian Republik Indonesia
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan, 12110
Telp. +6221 7218001 / +6221 7260306
Fax. +6221 7207277

Your Excellency,

We, the undersigned national, regional, and international human rights organizations, write to convey our deep concern in reaction to the news stories of the arrest of 31 members of Pandumaan and Sipituhuta Indigenous Community, North Sumatera Province, Republic of Indonesia. Till now, 16 peoples are still remain detained.

This incident is not a new case, but should be regarded as a part of ongoing land conflict affecting indigenous community in the region. The indigenous peoples of Pandumaan and Sipituhuta have been strongly opposing the existence of PT. TPL
since 2009, fighting against the land grabbing activities of any actors on their territories.

We deeply condemn the detention of 16 members of Pandumaan and Sipituhuta indigenous communities. We strongly believe that the rights of Indigenous Peoples must be protected and ensured by all actors and, in any case, act of violence must be prevented and prohibited in the efforts for the conflict resolution.

We urge the Minister of Forestry to revoke the concession of PT. Toba Pulp Lestari in Pandumaan and Sipituhuta Territories. Government of Indonesia shall take concrete action in addressing the land conflict in the region by effectively
promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples.

Furthermore, we strongly urge the security authorities of Humbang Hasundutan to immediately release 16 members of Pandumaan and Sipituhuta indigenous community who are unlawfully detained. The security authorities must be clearly reminded of their task of preventing violence, and always prioritize peaceful ways in resolving this conflict.

Endorsed by


  1. Akar Foundation

  2. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara

  3. Aceh Women�s League

  4. Aliansi Sumatera Utara Bersatu

  5. Arus Pelangi

  6. Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact

  7. Asia Monitor Resource Centre

  8. Barisan Pemuda Adat Nusantara

  9. Barisan Pemuda Adat Wilayah Maluku Utara

  10. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)

  11. Cambodian Volunteers for Society (CVS)

  12. Central Council of German Sinti and Roma

  13. Cordillera Peoples Alliance

  14. Dignity International

  15. Forest Watch Indonesia

  16. Foundation Terra Nossa, Netherlands

  17. Gema Alam, Nusa Tenggara Barat

  18. Human Rights Working Group

  19. IMPARSIAL

  20. Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self determination and Liberation

  21. Indonesia for Human�s

  22. Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI)

  23. INSTITUT PEREMPUAN

  24. Institute for Essential Services Reform

  25. International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism

  26. Jaringan Kerja Lembaga Pelayanan Kristen di Indonesia (JKLPK)

  27. Kalahari Support Group, Netherlands

  28. Kelompok Kerja Sistem Hutan Kerakyatan

  29. Komite Independen Pemantau Pemilu (KIPP)

  30. Konsorsium pendukung Sistem Hutan Kerakyatan (KpSHK)

  31. Kelompok Studi dan Pengembangan Prakarsa Masyarakat (KSPPM)

  32. Lembaga Dayak Panarung (LPD)

  33. Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane (LIPS)

  34. LifeMosaic

  35. Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture

  36. Media Informasi dan Pendidikan Rakyat (MEDIKRA)

  37. National Federation of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines (KAMP)

  38. Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples, Netherlands

  39. Organisasi Perempuan Adat Ngata Toro (OPANT)

  40. Pax Romana ICMICA Asia

  41. Peace Institute

  42. PELMAS BNKP, Sumatera Utara

  43. People�s Empowerment Foundation, Thailand

  44. PEREMPUAN AMAN

  45. Pergerakan Indonesia

  46. Perkumpulan IDEA

  47. Perkumpulan untuk Pembaharuan Hukum Berbasis Masyarakat dan Ekologis (HuMa)

  48. PKBI, Jogjakarta

  49. Pontianak Institute for Kalimantan Studies

  50. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Kalimantan Tengah

  51. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Sulawesi Utara

  52. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Bengkulu

  53. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Kalimantan Selatan

  54. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Tana Luwu

  55. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Sumatera Selatan

  56. Pengurus Daerah AMAN Kepulauan Togian

  57. Pengurus Wilayah AMAN Sulawesi Selatan

  58. Reclassering Indonesia

  59. Rimbawan Muda Indonesia (RMI)

  60. Saka Mese Nusa AlifURU Foundation

  61. Sarawak Dayakiban Association (SADIA)

  62. Sawit Watch

  63. SEHJIRA Deaf-HoH Foundation

  64. Social Analysis and Research Institute

  65. Suara Perempuan Desa

  66. Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Netherlands

  67. Tamil Nadu Women�s Forum, India

  68. The Indigenous Community Support Organization (ICSO)

  69. The Knight for Peace, International

  70. Think Centre

  71. Transnational Institute, Netherlands

  72. Universitas Presiden

  73. Woman Health Philippines

  74. Women�s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

  75. Yayasan CAPPA � Ecological Justice

  76. Yayasan LINTAS NUSA

  77. Yayasan Kalyanamitra

  78. Yayasan Mandiri Kreatif Indonesia

  79. Yayasan Pemberdayaan Pefor Nusantara

  80. Yayasan PeNA, Banda Aceh

  81. Yayasan Transformasi Lepra Indonesia

  82. Youth for Peace

  83. Zomi Human Rights Foundation


Supported by:

  1. Bungaran Antonius Simanjuntak, Akademisi

  2. Martua Sirait, Anggota Dewan Kehutanan Nasional (DKN)

  3. Romba Maranu Sombolinggi, Ketua Dewan PEREMPUAN AMAN

  4. Saurlin Siagian

Writer : |