The court’s decision to impose a harsher sentence than the seven months initially sought by prosecutors has further fueled outrage. The Indigenous Peoples’ Defense Association (PPMAN), representing the defendants, criticized the verdict as discriminatory and a violation of the principle of equality before the law. They also highlighted the lack of legal action against PT Krisrama for destroying the community’s crops, despite a police report filed on August 28, 2024.

This case is not isolated. Amnesty International Indonesia has documented at least eight similar attacks on indigenous communities between January 2019 and December 2024, involving over 110 victims of criminalization, intimidation, and physical violence.

Human rights advocates are calling for the immediate release of the eight indigenous defenders and urging the government to prioritize dialogue over repression. They emphasize that the state must act as a neutral facilitator to ensure indigenous rights are protected and that corporate interests do not override constitutional mandates.

The High Court and Supreme Court are now under pressure to overturn the Maumere District Court’s ruling and guarantee the indigenous community’s rights to their land, culture, and natural resources. As the conflict continues, the case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by indigenous communities in Indonesia to protect their ancestral lands from exploitation. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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