Urgent Concern regarding Human Rights Violations of the Pocoleok Indigenous Community for expansion of Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant 

We, the undersigned organizations – Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN), and Perhimpunan Pembela Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (PPMAN), Barisan Pemuda Adat Nusantara (BPAN), PEREMPUAN AMAN, the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP), and the Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE), along with other Indigenous Peoples Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and individuals – are writing to express our urgent concern about the ongoing human rights violations against the Pocoleok Indigenous Community related to the expansion of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant by PT. PLN (National Electricity Company). The expansion is being financed under a loan from the German state-owned KfW Development Bank.

On October 2, 2024, security forces, including members of the Indonesian military, Police and Pol PP, accompanied by PLN and government officials forcibly entered the lands of the Pocoleok community in Manggarai regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia to carry out a road survey. This happened despite the community’s explicit rejection of the project’s expansion and ongoing investigations by the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (KOMNAS HAM) and an independent team commissioned by the KfW Development Bank. Komnas HAM has reported violation of human rights of the community in the expansion of the power plant in response to the complaint of AMAN and PPMAN on the matter. An independent fact-finding commissioned by the KfW, triggered by another complaint of the community members, has not yet delivered results, and the community has received no response regarding the investigation. The expansion violates the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), a fundamental right for Indigenous Peoples, which has not been respected throughout this process.

As a result of this forced entry, several human rights violations occurred:

• Ponsianus Lewang, a resident of Lungar village, was severely injured by security forces and lost consciousness after being kicked in the ribs.
• Four residents were arrested and held for two days before being released. During their arrest and detention, they endured considerable emotional and psychological trauma.
• Security forces actively prevented community members from documenting the incident by blocking photos and videos of the violent actions.

We urge the Government of Indonesia to take immediate action to prevent further escalation of violence and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples. In particular, we recommend the government of Indonesia to:

• Immediately suspend the Ulumbu Geothermal Project expansion until the independent investigation results are publicly released and concerns of the affected community fully addressed including reported violations to the right to FPIC of the Pocoleok Indigenous Peoples, and allegations of violations including sexual harassment by state forces during community protests;
• Drop any charges that may have been filed against members of the community in relation to the incident on 2 October 2024.
• Investigate and hold accountable the security forces involved in the violence against the Indigenous Peoples of Pocoleok.
• Ensure the full implementation of FPIC in all project developments affecting Indigenous Peoples.

Further, we call on the National Electric Company (PT PLN), to:

• Respect the rights of the Indigenous Pocoleok community, including to FPIC, for the expansion of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant – in line with their corporate responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Immediately suspend any activities in relation to the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Project and cooperate in the investigation of violations reported by the affected community;
• Establish an accessible, culturally appropriate, and gender responsive grievance mechanism to ensure that violations against individuals and the community as a whole are effectively and timely addressed;

We also urge the German Development Bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) to:

• Suspend financing for the expansion of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant until FPIC of the Indigenous Pocoleok community is obtained. If FPIC of the community cannot be ascertained, the project must not be processed further. Until then, KfW must use its leverage to ensure security of the community, including during its independent fact-finding.
• Ensure that mandatory human rights due diligence are conducted as a prerequisite to any funding for projects and take accountability for any violations as a result of any funding provided.

We await your prompt response and action on this critical matter.

See the Indigenous Peoples Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and Individuals list here.

Originally published on the Right Energy Partnership’s website

Photo courtesy: Floresa Documentation