Indonesia’s rights commission calls for protection for fire victims

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged central and local governments to protect residents affected by forest and land fires, citing escalating risks to fundamental rights.

The call was one of six recommendations the commission issued on managing forest and land fires across the country, Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah said in a statement released here on Thursday (Nov 5).

“With alleged human rights violations linked to the fires escalating, we are issuing preliminary recommendations to the central and local governments and the National Police,” she said.

The six recommendations call on central and local governments and police to take concrete, measurable, and sustained action against the effects of annual fires, which threaten human rights.

The first recommendation urges central and local governments to provide comprehensive protection for people affected by the fires.

Such protection should prevent deaths and reduce long-term risks to health, safety, and education, while ensuring access to basic necessities, including clean water and food, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The second recommendation calls for stronger fire prevention and mitigation, backed by adequate funding, personnel, and equipment down to the district and village levels.

“The commission specifically urges stronger early-warning systems, regular patrols, and full operational support for community fire-watch groups at the grassroots level,” she added.

The third recommendation calls for protecting firefighters and volunteers through standard protective equipment, health services, and employment-related social security, including work-accident and death benefits.

The fourth and fifth recommendations call for firm, consistent, transparent and impartial oversight, and law enforcement against those responsible for setting fires.

Law enforcement agencies should pursue individuals and corporate criminal liability, including examining the roles of company directors, executives and others who benefit from land burning, the commission said.

It also urged strict administrative penalties and civil lawsuits seeking compensation and comprehensive environmental restoration, in addition to criminal sanctions.

Comprehensive enforcement was essential to deter offenders and prevent fires from recurring in corporate concession areas, Hidayah said.

“Enforcement must deter offenders, prevent repeat violations, and ensure the state protects the rights to a healthy environment, health and a decent standard of living,” she said.

The sixth recommendation urges the government to ensure a comprehensive recovery process after forest and land fires.

Recovery should restore ecosystem functions, water systems and vegetation, and revive livelihoods while respecting indigenous and local communities’ rights to land and natural resources.

The commission also stressed that human rights protections must not be delayed by administrative procedures, budget constraints, or coordination problems among agencies.

“The state must act immediately, concretely, and consistently to ensure people’s rights remain protected,” Hidayah said.

She added annual fires should no longer be viewed solely as a natural phenomenon linked to climate change, but as a fundamental rights issue requiring decisive government action.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency data as of Thursday (Nov 4) showed 2,835 hectares burned across six provinces. Central Kalimantan accounted for 2,195 hectares, South Kalimantan 405, and West Kalimantan 149.

The fires have also had a significant public health impact. The Health Ministry data compiled by the commission showed 401,586 acute respiratory infection cases across seven provinces and 63 districts and cities.

Vulnerable groups accounted for many cases, of which 91,913 among children under five; 87,704 among children ages six to nine; and 56,092 among people over 60.