Komnas HAM Asked to Make Recommendation to Stop Merauke PSN

Solidaritas Merauke has called on the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to issue a recommendation to President Prabowo Subianto to evaluate and terminate the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke. In addition to the President, Solidaritas Merauke is also urging Komnas HAM to issue recommendations to the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming, the Ministry of Forestry, and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning.

Moreover, Solidaritas Merauke is requesting that Komnas HAM monitor the implementation of these recommendations to ensure they are carried out earnestly. In March, Komnas HAM issued a recommendation letter to the Governor of South Papua and the Regent of Merauke to oversee the case.

Solidaritas Merauke spokesperson Teddy J. Wakum stated that they are urging Komnas HAM to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations and potential gross human rights violations related to the Merauke PSN. “These human rights violations have had a widespread impact on the lives of the Malind Anim, Khimaima, Maklew, and Yei peoples in Merauke Regency,” he said.

Franky Samperante, Coordinator of Solidaritas Merauke, stated that the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke has violated the right to life, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and has caused environmental degradation. Franky suspects that the Merauke PSN does not yet possess proper environmental documents or environmental approval. “Affected communities and environmental organizations were not involved from the outset in the drafting of the terms of reference and the assessment of the documents,” Franky said in a press statement on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Franky further noted that the implementation of the Merauke PSN is also indicated to have violated human rights. This indication is supported by findings from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which stated that the PSN for food and energy security in Merauke Regency has the potential to violate human rights.

These findings are documented in Komnas HAM's recommendation letter regarding the Merauke PSN, numbered 189/PM.00/R/III/2025. The letter was addressed to the Governor of South Papua and the Regent of Merauke on March 17, 2025.

The letter was issued in response to complaints filed by members of the Malind, Maklew, Khimaima, and Yei Indigenous Peoples on October 23, 2024. The complaints concerned alleged violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the right to life, land and territorial rights, the right to livelihood, and the right to a healthy environment related to the implementation of the national strategic project in Merauke Regency.

On March 14, 2025, Komnas HAM Chairperson Atnike Nova Sigiro held a press conference in Merauke. At that time, she stated that there were indications of land grabbing and encroachment on customary forests and territories belonging to Indigenous communities. “These actions have directly impacted their survival,” Atnike said during her address at the Solidaritas Merauke conference.

Komnas HAM Didesak Merekomendasikan Penghentian PSN Merauke

Solidaritas Merauke meminta Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia atau Komnas HAM untuk mengeluarkan rekomendasi kepada Presiden Prabowo Subianto agar mengevaluasi dan menghentikan proyek Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN)di Merauke. Selain ke Presiden, Solidaritas Merauke juga mendesak Komnas HAM untuk mengeluarkan rekomendasi untuk Kementerian Pertahanan, Kementerian Pertanian, Kementerian Investasi dan Hilirisasi, Kementerian Kehutanan, dan Kementerian Agraria Tata Ruang. 

Selain itu, Solidaritas Merauke juga meminta Komnas HAM agar mengawasi rekomendasi sampai dilaksanakan secara sungguh-sungguh. Pada Maret lalu, Komnas HAM telah mengeluarkan surat rekomendasi untuk Gubernur Papua Selatan dan Bupati Merauke supaya mengawal kasus tersebut. 

Juru Bicara Solidaritas Merauke Teddy J. Wakum mengatakan bahwa mereka mendesak Komnas HAM untuk melakukan investigasi mendalam terkait dugaan dan potensi pelanggaran HAM berat yang terjadi dalam proyek PSN Merauke. “Pelanggaran HAM tersebut telah berdampak luas terhadap kehidupan Suku Malind Anim, Khimahima, Maklew dan Yei di Kabupaten Merauke,” ujarnya.  

Koordinator Solidaritas Merauke Franky Samperante mengatakan Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN) di Merauke telah melanggar hak hidup, hak masyarakat adat dan merusak lingkungan hidup. Franky menduga, proyek PSN Merauke belum memiliki dokumen lingkungan dan persetujuan lingkungan hidup. “Masyarakat terdampak langsung, maupun organisasi lingkungan hidup, tidak dilibatkan sejak awal pembahasan kerangka acuan dan penilaian dokumen tersebut,” kata Franky dalam keterangan pers pada Senin, 14 April 2025. 

Franky menambahkan pelaksanaan PSN Merauke juga terindikasi melanggar Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM). Indikasi itu dikuatkan oleh temuan Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) yang menyatakan bahwa PSN untuk ketahanan pangan dan energi di Kabupaten Merauke memiliki potensi pelanggaran HAM.

Temuan Komnas HAM itu dimuat dalam surat rekomendasi Komnas HAM atas PSN Merauke nomor 189/PM.00/R/III/2025. Surat rekomendasi itu ditujukan kepada Gubernur Papua Selatan dan Bupati Merauke pada 17 Maret 2025. 

Surat tersebut merespons pengaduan masyarakat adat suku Malind, Maklew, Khimaima dan Yei pada 23 Oktober 2024. Pengaduan tersebut terkait dugaan pelanggaran hak masyarakat adat, hak hidup, hak atas tanah dan wilayah adat, hak atas mata pencaharian, hak atas lingkungan hidup dalam pelaksanaan proyek strategis nasional di Kabupaten Merauke. 

Pada 14 Maret 2025, Ketua Komnas HAM Atnike Nova Sugiro telah menggelar konferensi pers di Merauke. Saat itu dia menyatakan ada dugaan perampasan dan penyerobotan kawasan hutan serta lahan ulayat milik masyarakat adat. “Hal tersebut berdampak langsung terhadap kelangsungan hidup mereka,” kata Atnike dalam sambutannya saat konferensi Solidaritas Merauke saat itu.