Justice for Golfrid
by Karen Orenstein, deputy director of economic policy, Friends of the Earth U.S.
Demanding justice for environmental rights defender Golfrid Siregar, citizens of the world representing more than 240 organizations from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, North America and South America delivered letters of solidarity to Indonesian embassies across the globe. Golfrid was a lawyer with the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI)/Friends of the Earth Indonesia, Indonesia’s largest environmental organization. He had been heavily involved in fights to protect Sumatra’s rainforests and communities threatened by palm oil plantations and large hydropower. In doing so, he bravely challenged corporations and government authorities.
In early October, he was found fatally injured under very suspicious circumstances. While local authorities are trying to treat his death as a traffic accident, a substantial amount of evidence points to foul play — possibly murder. Indonesia has a long and sordid history of criminalizing and intimidating human rights and environmental defenders, including a legacy of torture and murder. In recent months there has been a dramatic rise in the attacks against human rights defenders.
On Oct. 31, demonstrations and in-person deliveries of the solidarity letter took place at Indonesian embassies and consulates in 17 different countries. Activists called for a robust, independent and transparent police investigation into Golfrid’s death on par with international standards, and an independent investigation by Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights — as demanded by WALHI and other Indonesian organizations.
Civil society around the world will be paying close attention to what Indonesian authorities do — or do not do — to investigate Golfrid’s highly suspicious death. We will maintain vigilant watch until justice is done.
Read the letter in full here.
