 |
| Indonesian Government Promotes Human Rights-Based Agrarian Conflict Resolution Through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration. |
Jakarta — Agrarian conflicts in Indonesia continue to spark tension across many regions. Addressing this issue, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Deputy Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Ossy Dermawan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolve these conflicts through a human rights-based approach involving various stakeholders.
During a meeting with Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) held at the ATR/BPN office in Jakarta on Monday, July 7, 2025, Ossy emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing land disputes that have long plagued the country.
“Land issues can’t be handled by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs alone. We need collaboration from ministries, agencies, local governments, and law enforcement. That’s why we fully support Komnas HAM’s initiative to jointly develop a roadmap for resolving agrarian conflicts based on human rights principles,” Ossy said.
He highlighted that agrarian disputes often involve overlapping forest boundaries, spatial planning concerns, environmental protections, and legal complexities. This is why a shared roadmap that involves all stakeholders is essential.
“Our goal is not to produce just another policy document. This roadmap must be actionable and lead to real, measurable impacts on the ground so communities can benefit directly,” Ossy added.
Why Human Rights Matter in Agrarian Conflict Resolution
Agrarian conflict is not just about administrative land disputes; it’s about people’s lives and their rights to secure livelihoods. Komnas HAM Chairperson Anies Hidayah emphasized that every approach to land conflict resolution must put human rights at the core, especially when it affects vulnerable groups like indigenous communities and small farmers.
“Agrarian disputes are not merely legal cases; they are human issues. People deserve legal certainty and justice when it comes to their source of income and living space. Komnas HAM is committed to a comprehensive solution grounded in human rights principles,” Anies said.
She added that cross-institutional cooperation is key to ending prolonged land disputes across Indonesia. The roadmap being developed is expected to create shared understanding and clear role distribution among stakeholders.
Inclusive Collaboration Is the Key
Accompanying Deputy Minister Ossy at the meeting were Adjie Arifuddin, an expert in Public Administration and Good Governance, along with senior officials from ATR/BPN and representatives from Komnas HAM. All parties agreed that resolving land conflicts requires the active participation of everyone—from national and local governments to communities and civil society groups.
Why is this inclusive approach important? Because many land conflicts are rooted in:
-
Policy overlaps between central and regional authorities,
-
Unclear forest zone boundaries,
-
Large-scale investments that ignore community land rights,
-
Weak legal enforcement in rural areas.
When everyone is involved in designing and implementing the roadmap, conflicts can be tackled more effectively, and community trust in government efforts can be strengthened.
What to Expect From the Roadmap
The upcoming human rights-based roadmap is envisioned to:
-
Serve as a practical guide for inter-agency cooperation,
-
Provide legal clarity and direction for field implementation,
-
Become a working document that evolves with ongoing input and field realities.
If properly executed, this initiative can help:
-
Offer legal certainty for land ownership and use,
-
Significantly reduce land conflicts in rural and urban areas,
-
Ensure the state is truly present and responsive in protecting citizens’ land rights.
Land conflicts in Indonesia go far beyond legal ownership. They are about fairness, survival, and dignity. By placing human rights at the forefront and fostering collaborative action, the government and Komnas HAM are setting a meaningful precedent.
This isn’t just a bureaucratic effort. It’s a concrete step to ensure land governance becomes more humane, inclusive, and fair for all Indonesians.