Behind the narrative of development and food security, the Merauke PSN has had serious consequences for the rights of Indigenous communities. The clearing of forests, wetlands, and savannas for rice-field and sugarcane development has transformed their living spaces and threatened access to land, customary territories, food, clean water, traditional livelihoods, and a safe and healthy environment. This audit documents alleged human rights violations arising from the implementation of the projects across Indigenous territories in Papua Selatan.
Prepared by PUSAKA Bentala Rakyat and Satya Bumi, the report examines the impacts of the PSN on rights to land and customary territories, food sources and traditional livelihoods, the environment, and the rights of Indigenous women. It also examines communities’ rights to consultation, participation, and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Beyond documenting what has been lost, this audit calls for remedy and a fundamental shift in development practices, so that state-led projects do not continue at the expense of Indigenous peoples and the living spaces they depend on.
