Indonesia: Land for peasants or for tourism? The right to food of more than 7000 persons is threatened by the construction of an international airport, Tanak Awu, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

On September 18th, 2005, the local police of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, fired into a crowd of more than 700 peasants who had come together to prepare a week-long series of activities to commemorate Indonesia’s National Peasants’ Day. Twenty-seven persons were wounded, four were hospitalised and six peasants were arrested. The peasants were opposing the planned construction of a new international airport in a fertile area of Lombok. One month before the shooting, 2631 peasants had been evicted from their land by the local authorities to make way for the planned airport. Since land is their only means of livelihood, the right to food of these peasants’ families is threatened.  

International action is necessary to support the peasants who are fighting against the construction of a new international airport on their land. Please write a polite letter to Mr. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, requesting him to withdraw the airport construction plan, unless land for land rehabilitation of the oustees is not guaranteed.