[Jakarta, 18 December 2024] The Coalition to Safeguard the Indigenous Peoples Bill urges the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately pass the Indigenous Peoples Bill (RUU MA) in 2025, so that the rights of Indigenous Peoples can be recognized and protected more effectively. Currently, the Indigenous Peoples Bill has been re-included in the 2025 National Legislative Program (Prolegnas) priority list and is also included in the five-year Prolegnas proposed by the DPR RI.

However, in the Prolegnas list, the Bill still uses the phrase “Masyarakat Hukum Adat” (Customary Law Communities). The Coalition to Safeguard the Indigenous Peoples Bill encourages the use of the term “Masyarakat Adat” (Indigenous Peoples) to accommodate the constitutional nomenclature of both Customary Law Communities and Traditional Communities. The Coalition also calls for concrete progress toward its enactment.

Veni Siregar, Senior Campaigner at Kaoem Telapak, emphasized that the deliberation and passage of the Indigenous Peoples Bill represent an important momentum for the DPR and the Prabowo Subianto Government to demonstrate their commitment to Indigenous Peoples. “Recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples are forms of state responsibility in ensuring their livelihood sustainability and legal certainty. The DPR RI, particularly the Legislative Body and the eight political party factions, must take strategic steps to build constructive dialogue with Indigenous Peoples, so that the resulting law can address the issues they face. Protection and fulfillment of Indigenous Peoples’ rights amid violence and criminalization must become a priority. The contribution of Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding environmental sustainability also deserves recognition.”

Veni added that the Coalition will continue to intensively monitor the process to ensure that the Indigenous Peoples Bill is passed in 2025.

Muhammad Arman, Director of Policy, Legal, and Human Rights Advocacy at the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), stated that passing the Indigenous Peoples Bill is both the main pathway and a concrete action to realize the founding ideals of the Indonesian state—namely, to protect the entire nation and promote general welfare, including for Indigenous Peoples who have long been marginalized.

“The passage of the Indigenous Peoples Bill will provide legal certainty while creating just investment conditions for all parties. The Indigenous Peoples Law is a ‘homecoming path’ to reaffirm our diverse nationhood and Indonesian identity,” he said.

Arman further presented data compiled by AMAN over the past 10 years, showing that 687 agrarian conflicts have occurred in Indigenous territories, covering 11.07 million hectares of land. These conflicts have not only resulted in the dispossession of customary lands but have also led to the criminalization of 925 Indigenous individuals. Of these, 60 people experienced violence perpetrated by state apparatus, and one person died.

According to Arman, the dispossession of customary lands often occurs through large-scale projects implemented without adequate consultation or consent, and in violation of the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

The Coalition to Safeguard the Indigenous Peoples Bill, which consists of 35 civil society organizations, emphasized that this Bill represents a major opportunity to address the injustices continuously experienced by Indigenous Peoples. The Bill is also expected to provide comprehensive legal protection, including recognition and protection of customary territories and customary forests that serve as the source of life and identity for Indigenous Peoples.

Juandi Gultom, from the Justice and Peace Commission of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), reaffirmed PGI’s support for the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Bill. Juandi stated that Indigenous Peoples are the original and rightful owners of this nation, yet ironically they are marginalized by state policies. “Indigenous Peoples are the original and legitimate owners of this country. Yet they are excluded by current state policies,” he said.

Juandi further added that PGI actively conducts advocacy to support Indigenous Peoples’ struggles. The PGI office has even become a shared space for various complaints and requests for assistance submitted by Indigenous Peoples in defending their rights.

Ermelina Singereta, Advocacy Manager of the Association of Defenders of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (PPMAN), stated that the state’s neglect in providing legal protection for Indigenous Peoples—particularly women, children, and vulnerable groups defending their living spaces—constitutes a clear violation of human rights.

“Many Indigenous women have had to face unjust legal processes. They are arrested, prosecuted, and even imprisoned for defending their rights and identity as Indigenous women. For Indigenous women, the law is like a mirage: visible, yet difficult to access,” said Ermelina.

Ermelina emphasized that protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights is not only important from a justice perspective but also plays a key role in preserving global biodiversity. Indigenous territories serve as the last stronghold of the world’s biodiversity, where an estimated 80% of global biodiversity is located. With traditional knowledge passed down over thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have become irreplaceable guardians of nature and ecosystems.

Furthermore, Ermelina explained that Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in managing their territories significantly contributes to global efforts in environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem protection. Amid increasingly complex environmental challenges, the role of Indigenous youth becomes crucial as the next generation safeguarding ancestral heritage. Indigenous youth, she said, are at the forefront of defending customary territories against growing and complex challenges.

Hero Aprila, Chairperson of the Indigenous Youth Alliance of the Archipelago (BPAN), emphasized that the existence of an Indigenous Peoples Law is essential to addressing the various challenges faced by Indigenous youth across sectors, ranging from politics and law to socio-cultural issues, economic independence, and customary education.

“As the next generation, we, Indigenous youth, carry a great responsibility to ensure the sustainable management of customary territories free from discrimination and intimidation. The absence of an Indigenous Peoples Law will only prolong the cycle of injustice that has persisted for so long. For us, the Indigenous Peoples Law is a real solution to the challenges we face,” Hero said.

The Coalition to Safeguard the Indigenous Peoples Bill consists of YLBHI, HuMa, Seknas WALHI, KPA, KEMITRAAN, ICEL, Debt Watch, PEREMPUAN AMAN, Yayasan PUSAKA, Kaoem Telapak, Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan, BRWA, JKPP, merDesa Institute, RMI, EPISTEMA, Greenpeace Indonesia, Lakpesdam NU, KIARA, LOKATARU, Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI), Sawit Watch, PPMAN, Indigenous Youth Alliance of the Archipelago (BPAN), Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan (YPJ), Forum of Coastal and Small Island Indigenous Communities (Format-P), Kalyanamitra, Koalisi Perempuan Indonesia (KPI), SATUNAMA, Protection International Indonesia, Justice and Peace Commission of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), Working Group ICCAs Indonesia, AMAN, Samdhana, and EcoAdat.

Media Contacts:
A.P. Prayoga, Campaign Team, Coalition to Safeguard the Indigenous Peoples Bill, Phone: +62 857 2034 6154
Veni Siregar, Senior Campaigner, Kaoem Telapak, Phone: +62 838-9344-5587