Students demonstrate against Freeport

Tens of university students rallied on Friday to protest the alleged environmental destruction and human rights violation by copper and gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.

The students, all from Irian Jaya studying in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung, gathered at Freeport's office in Kuningan South Jakarta from early in the morning, carrying banners reading "Go to Hell with Your Aid", "Men and Environment are crying, Freeport Should Be Responsible".

In the statement distributed to the press, the students demanded Freeport stop its operation at the Grasberg area in Irian Jaya until the recent fatal landslide case at the Wanagon Lake which was used by Freeport as its waste dump was solved.

Four workers of Freeport's sub-contractors disappeared early this month after a landslide at the waste rock dump.

The students also said Freeport should also stop appropriating the local people's land for mining activities and withdraw all military members placed to protect its operation.

Freeport should admit that it had violated human rights and polluted environment and all the company's shareholders should be responsible for the violations.

The students also called on the government to form an independent team, including students and local people, to conduct audit on Freeport's environmental program.

Student leader Richard Sangke said Freeport should meet all the demands in three months or they would keep putting pressure on the company.

Freeport is a subsidiary of American mining giant Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold. (*)