Franz Hemsi is a farmer and land defender in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since 2005, farmers such as Hemsi have been embroiled in protracted land conflicts with palm oil company PT Mamuang. As a result of his resistance to the forcible takeover of his and his communities’ lands, Hemsi has endured violence, imprisonment, and threats to his life and his family. Upon release, Hemsi continued to organize farmers who were fighting to protect their lands and livelihoods. In 2015, the company sent a group of men to intimidate Hemsi and his family. They built an encampment next to Hemsi’s land and threatened to kill him and his family if he did not vacate the land. When Hemsi filed a report against PT Mamuang with local police, Hemsi was detained for alleged theft and destruction of property. In 2017, a court found Hemsi guilty, and he was once again sentenced to prison, this time for five months and seven days.

In June 2020, 20 out of the 50 hectares of land grabbed by PT Mamuang were eventually returned to Hemsi due to his continuous efforts, and he received a formal land certificate from the National Land Agency.