Article
Rights body identifies violations in Sidoarjo disaster areas [Indonesia]
The National Commission on Human Rights says the displacement of thousands of mudflow victims from their homes in the East Java town of Sidoarjo could be classified as a human rights violation. The commission said based on the team’s findings, it was highly unlikely the incident was a natural phenomenon, but was instead caused by PT Lapindo Brantas Inc [joint venture Energi Mega Persada, MedcoEnergi, Santos]. Commission deputy head Hesti Amirwulan [said]...that essentially the mining company should be held responsible...Law No. 26/2000 on the Human Rights Court classifies the widespread, systematic eviction of people from their homes a gross human rights violation. The commission also found that violations of at least 15 economic, social and cultural rights [which] included the right to settlement, food, health, education, security and the right to live and work.