Protest in Sarawak: Straßenblockade gegen InterhillStichwörter: Protest Raubbau Indigene
Protest in SarawakZwei vom Holzeinschlag durch die Firma Interhill betroffene Penan-Dorfgemeinschaften haben eine Straßenblockade errichtet, um den Holzeinschlag in ihrem Wald im mittleren Baramgebiet zu unterbinden. Interhill, mit Sitz in Miri, Sarawak, ist früher schon durch eine zerstörerische und rücksichtslose Holzgewinnung aufgefallen und hat immer wieder Protestaktionen provoziert.
Zudem sei, so berichtet der Bruno Manser Fond aus Basel, Interhill der Besitzer des Pullmann 5-star Hotels in Kuching, der Hauptstadt Sarawaks. Das Hotel werde von der französischen Arcor-Gruppe betrieben, der die illegalen und umweltzerstörenden Holzeinschlagseskapaden des Hotelbesitzers Interhill unangenehm, weil ruf- und geschäftsschädigend, sind.
Die Penan fordern die Einhaltung früher gemachter Zusagen und wollen die Blockade aufrecht erhalten, bis diese zugesagt sind. U.a. schreibt der Bruno Manser Fonds über die Hintergründe:
The Penan accuse Interhill of particularly aggressive and environmentally destructive logging during the past months. Several attempts by the communities to nego! tiate with Interhill responsibles have failed. Interhill had already been accused of similar conduct in 2009. An independent study commisioned by the French Accor group showed at the time that Interhill had been involved in illegal and unsustainable logging practices. Following pressure from Accor's sustainability department, Interhill promised to better its conduct but has obviously failed to live up to its promises.
The Bruno Manser Fund has learned that Interhill called the police and forestry department officials to dissolve the blockade but the Penan are currently upholding their protest. In December 2009, six Penan communities of the Middle Baram region jointly filed court cases to claim land titles over their customary land and asked for the logging licences to be declared null and void. The cases are currently pending at the Miri High Court.
The Bruno Manser Fund is calling on the Interhill management to instruct their staff to! immediately stop the destructive logging of the Penan forests and to send a high-ranking delegation to the blockade site to apologize for the company's conduct.
Weitere Information: www.stop-interhill.com
Please stop the destruction of the rainforest in Sarawak. Please allow the Penan people to continue to protect their traditional lands.
Respectfully yours
Chris McMahon