Jakarta, Jubi – The National Commission on Human Rights will monitor the government’s plans to take over PT. Freeport to ensure the fulfillment of human right aspects, a commissioner, Natalius Pigai, said.
“This plan is has tremendous risk either from the aspect of business or politics. Papuans, including myself, especially the customary people who live surrounding the exploitation area have their own preference,” Pigai said via short message in Jakarta last week.
He said the commission wanted to ensure that human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights are respected in the Contract of Work and environmental sustainability is given due consideration.
He also said national private companies often have poor records of respecting laws and regultions compared to foreign companies that are relatively consistent and obeisance. “We are worried when the Indonesian government takes over this company, violations will occur,” he said.
The National Commission on Human Rights has studied the proposal since last year’s presidential election. “I hope the president is sincere towards this nation. I will support his policy for taking over PT Freeport for the sake of this country and its people, including Papuans. But I will criticize it if it wasn’t valuable. (*/rom)
