T

he National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has demanded that state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I give consideration to human rights in the construction of a new airport in Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta.

The project should be free from human rights breaches, in particular when it comes to land ownership, the organization said.

“Please, do not steal the citizen’s lands in the name of infrastructure development,” said Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam on Friday evening, urging the company to engage in dialogue with locals to find a solution.

Komnas HAM has received reports from local activists claiming that people of Glagah village were being forced by the company and police to give up their land. Thirty of some 2,700 families living on the disputed land have reportedly insisted on staying in their homes.

Angkasa Pura, through the manager of the New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) construction project, Sudjiastono, said it had done everything in line with the law. “We’ve respected their rights by giving them compensation, beyond what they deserve to receive,” he said.