UN Experts Urge Suspension of Mandalika Development Project Over Indigenous Rights Violations

For years, the project has faced allegations of forced evictions, loss of livelihood, and inadequate compensation for the Indigenous Peoples affected.

UN human rights experts have called for the suspension of the Mandalika urban development and tourism project in Indonesia, warning that it poses a serious risk of irreparable harm to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Sasak community. These concerns arise ahead of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)'s final loan disbursement and the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, set to take place at the Mandalika International Circuit.

For years, the project has faced allegations of forced evictions, loss of livelihood, and inadequate compensation for the Indigenous Peoples affected. The UN experts have urged the AIIB to halt loan disbursements until it can guarantee that no further harm will be caused.

The experts emphasized the need for Indonesia to ensure the sustainable return of displaced Indigenous communities or, where impossible, provide adequate compensation and resettlement, with the involvement of the affected peoples. They also raised concerns about the militarization of security around Mandalika, urging Indonesia to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples living in the area as the Moto GP race approaches.

The UN experts called for AIIB and Indonesia to adhere to international human rights laws, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development-based Evictions.