The situation has escalated as police, military personnel, and heavy machinery have been deployed to the area. The coalition fears that this could lead to widespread violence and further human rights abuses. They are calling on the public to stand in solidarity with the Padang Halaban community and pressure government institutions to halt the evictions and withdraw security forces from the region.

The coalition has issued the following demands:

1. PT. SMART must immediately cease all eviction efforts, especially as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

2. The Indonesian National Police and Indonesian National Armed Forces must withdraw their personnel from Padang Halaban.

3. The Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency must protect the land rights of the Padang Halaban community and revoke PT. SMART’s HGU.

4. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) must monitor the situation, ensure the protection of human rights, and urge the withdrawal of security forces.

The coalition emphasizes that the Padang Halaban community is not fighting for profit but for their survival and the future of their children. The land represents their heritage and dignity, and its loss would be a devastating blow to their way of life.

This call to action is supported by a broad network of organizations, including KontraS, Walhi, Amnesty International Indonesia, and numerous local and international human rights groups. Individuals such as Usman Hamid, Dolorosa Sinaga, and Herlambang P. Wiratraman have also joined the cause, highlighting the widespread concern over this issue.

The coalition urges the government and PT. SMART to prioritize human rights and justice over corporate interests. They warn that failure to do so could result in further violence and deepen the historical wounds of the Padang Halaban community. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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