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FeedbackPapuans proceed with lawsuits vs Freeport-McMoran
Pacific Press Release – West Papua Advocacy Team
At an October 7 press conference in Jakarta, Titus Natkime, a lawyer representing the Amungme people announced the initiation of their lawsuit against the U.S.-based goldmine firm Freeport-McMoran. According to Natkime, the Amungme tribe is suing …
At an October 7 press conference in Jakarta, Titus Natkime, a lawyer representing the Amungme people announced the initiation of their lawsuit against the U.S.-based goldmine firm Freeport-McMoran. According to Natkime, the Amungme tribe is suing PT Freeport Indonesia for USD 30 billion, claiming environmental destruction and violation of land rights (USD 20 billion) and violation of human rights (USD 10 billion). Natkime claimed that Freeport operations have damaged the environment and that the Amungme people have been subject to discrimination, including physical abuse by Freeport security personnel. The launch of the suit follows what Natkime described as the failure of Freeport to engage in mediation talks mandated by earlier Indonesian court action.
In addition the lawsuit, on 15 September the tribe submitted a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) calling on the SEC to suspend trading of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. shares until the judicial process is finalized.
Indonesia Friends of the Earth, which sponsored the October 7 press conference, noted that Freeport mines up to 10 million tons annually, and has dumped around 2.5 billion tons of toxic tailing in the region. The tailings have completely inundated the Ajkwa river system. Tailings have even extended to the shores of the Arafura sea where tidal action is now inundating and killing shore vegetation.
In the late 1990’s an Amungme lawsuit against Freeport was scuttled in part because Indonesian authorities, with the knowledge of the U.S. Government, prevented the U.S. citizen lawyer from travelling into Indonesia to meet with his Amungme clients according to a former U.S. diplomat who worked at the Embassy.
ENDS
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
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Some where back in in the 1980s a proposal was introduced to the Samoan Public concerning a proposal to dumb toxic waste from the US in Samoa near Falefa. I am still thankful that the determination of the Samoan People and the late Catholic Cardinal Pio Taofinuu to stop the PM at the time from signing the contract allowing for that to happen at my village Falefa in Apia. My suggestion is that your group and barrister try and raised the alarm through more groups such as the WTO, UN Head Office, The Church and many other organsiation such as the Friends of the earth from other countries. If this can be done try delivering your petition through your US Ambasador and your embassy in the US. There are tough noncompliance penalties inposed by the American government on Big Corporations that failed to exercise corporate Responsibilities. Keep it up. Make contact with the Pacific Forum and the leaders of the Pacific Region. You got to have that solid backbone that can hold your side against the power of the corporation. One last thing, read the New Zealand TV 3 news about the NewZealand free trade proposal with Japan and the Asia Pacific. Here is the website: http://www.3news.co.nz/Free-trade-agreement…on...
PNG is our beloved Pacific neighbour. What those guys are talking about involves us all but benefit just them. Look into it and see how your lawyer can pursue for help from them.
Best of luck