DPD RI recommends eight key points for Agrarian Reform Bill discussion

Manokwari (ANTARA) - The Chairman of Committee III of the DPD RI, Filep Wamafma, has recommended eight critical points in the discussion of the Agrarian Reform Regulation Bill to accommodate the protection of rights and the specificities of Papuan indigenous communities.

Firstly, there needs to be a specific chapter regarding the implementation of agrarian reform within the special autonomy (otsus) region of Papua. Secondly, a non-regression clause must be included to ensure that no provision in the Bill reduces the protection of indigenous rights.

“Because the protection of Papuan customary law communities is already guaranteed through Law Number 2 of 2021 concerning Papua Special Autonomy,” said Filep in Manokwari, West Papua, on Saturday.

The third point, according to Filep, is that customary land rights (hak ulayat) must be affirmed in the Agrarian Reform Regulation Bill as the ancestral rights of indigenous communities in Papua, rather than merely being objects of land redistribution.

Fourthly, the recognition and mapping of customary territories must become a prerequisite before the granting of permits, concessions, or the implementation of strategic projects within indigenous areas. Fifthly, the establishment of FPIC as a mandatory principle for the utilisation of customary territories.

“The Agrarian Reform Bill must regulate the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC),” he stated.

Seventhly, indigenous women and vulnerable groups need to be considered as recipients of affirmative protection in every agrarian reform process. Eighthly, an evaluation of all permits and concessions that overlap with customary territories must be conducted.

“Agrarian reform must serve as an instrument to strengthen special autonomy, recognise the ancestral rights of indigenous communities, resolve past conflicts, and ensure that development does not eliminate the living space of indigenous peoples,” said Filep.

According to him, before the Agrarian Reform Bill is passed, the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the central government must ensure that all norms related to Papuan indigenous communities do not contradict the spirit of the Papua Special Autonomy Law.

The Bill must provide mechanisms for identifying the root causes of conflict, verifying historical land possession, mapping, verifying indigenous community consent, and making decisions regarding recovery, restitution, compensation, and the restoration of livelihoods.

“Papuan customary land is not vacant land; it has owners, history, law, identity, and generations that must be protected by the state,” said the senator from West Papua.