TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations Special Rapporteur for the rights of indigenous peoples, Albert Kwokwo Barume, visited Poco Leok, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), Indonesia, on July 7, 2025. During this gathering, Barume directly listened to and documented the testimonies of the NTT indigenous community regarding evictions and expropriation of indigenous territories due to state projects.
Barume's visit is part of an academic visit term for an unofficial visit by the UN Special Rapporteur to several regions of Indonesia. A few days earlier, Barume had visited Jayapura, Papua. "My mission as the UN Special Rapporteur is to amplify your voice, to make the indigenous community's voice stronger and heard," Barume said at Rumah Adat Gendang Tere, Mocok Village, Satar Mese District, Manggarai Regency, NTT, on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Prior to this, Barume made an informal visit to Jayapura, Papua, on July 4 and 5, 2025. As part of the visit initiated by the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), Barume heard and directly observed the situation of the indigenous community in Papua affected by national strategic projects (PSN) and palm oil plantation expansion. The indigenous people of Papua hope that Barume's presence can provide solutions to the problems they are facing.
Then, on July 6, 2025, Barume traveled to NTT. From Labuan Bajo, Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, NTT, he traveled by land for approximately 6 hours to Poco Leok. In Poco Leok, Barume met with over a hundred indigenous community representatives. Flores Island, Sumba, Timor, and Lembata.
The situation in the Poco Leok area has repeatedly heated up due to plans to expand the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) project. The local indigenous community has rejected the geothermal project because it is considered a threat to the land and living space of the residents, and it damages various water sources that are the mainstay of the people of Poco Leok.
Barume Wants to Hear Complaints from Indigenous People Directly
The UN appointed Barume as the Special Rapporteur in December 2024, and he began his duties the following January. "I have decided in those 6 months to visit as many communities as possible, to see and hear for myself, and to engage with indigenous communities," said Barume.
According to him, understanding the issues faced by indigenous communities is difficult, especially if he has never met them directly.
However, in unofficial visits like this, Barume cannot comment on the state of the country. This means he has the freedom to see the conditions and hear the experiences of indigenous peoples, but he cannot pass judgment on the government. "I can see, I can hear. But I cannot comment on the governance," Barume said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the voice of indigenous peoples. For Barume, empowering the voice of indigenous peoples is his main task as the UN Special Rapporteur. However, he reminded that he is not a judge who can adjudicate. "This is not a trial. As a Special Rapporteur, I cannot punish the government or companies," Barume said.
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