Local Government Asked To Create Agrarian Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, Komnas HAM: If Not Completed It Triggers Violence

Illustration of Komnas HAM. (Between)

PADANG - Chairman of Komnas HAM Ahmad Taufik said his party recorded dozens of cases of agrarian conflicts that occurred in West Sumatra throughout 2021. He encouraged local governments to make a resolution mechanism using a consensus approach.

Ahmad delivered this in a speech for the Anniversary of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Andalas University, Padang with the theme The Situation of Human Rights in Indonesia and Regional Political and Human Rights Conditions, Friday 13 May.

"In West Sumatra, we received a report that in 2021 there will be 80 cases of agrarian conflict reported to Komnas HAM, in eastern Indonesia it is much larger, if this is not resolved properly the violence will increase," said Ahmad.

Ahmad hopes that the provincial, district and city governments are willing to cooperate with Komnas HAM to formulate a mechanism for resolving agrarian conflicts.

He considered that apart from legal settlement, the best way was to activate the mediation mechanism at the district and city levels but facilitated by the province.

"It is hoped that with the mediation approach, land conflicts will not lead to violence and the settlement can be done in a peaceful way," he said.

Regarding the violence, he said that what is happening now is not only coming from the authorities but also the community. "The main task of Komnas HAM is to prevent the emergence of violence because it threatens the unity of the nation and humanity," he said.

He invited all parties to continue upholding the values of justice and humanity in Indonesia, as a country that is very rich in terms of nature and cultural wealth. "I have been everywhere and I must admit that Indonesia is a blessed country," he said.

"Indonesia is also rich in diversity which is our destiny and wealth," he said.