Support Indigenous forest protection in Borneo

Dear friends,

On May 15th, timber giant Samling and our local partners SAVE Rivers were scheduled to face off at the Miri High Court in Sarawak. Days before the first hearing was scheduled, the judge adjourned the trial because of an urgent criminal case.

Nevertheless, we joined community members on the High Court steps for a peaceful demonstration in support of SAVE Rivers. These are the same communities whose concerns SAVE Rivers published and which became the subject of the lawsuit. With traditional Indigenous dancing and singing, they called on Samling to withdraw the suit and to instead engage in meaningful dialogue with the communities.

This is the fourth time that the defamation trial has been postponed: Samling requested a delay once, and the court has delayed the trial three times. The deferral of the trial allows Samling to keep silencing SAVE Rivers while they wait for legal resolution.

Also this month, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) officially accepted a complaint civil society groups filed against Samling. FSC accepted the complaint after determining there was "sufficient evidence" regarding violation of FSC policies. In an online statement FSC said it will open a case into alleged illegal logging, violations of traditional and human rights, destruction of high conservation value forests and significant conversion of forests. FSC's acceptance of the complaint marks a breakthrough in the communities' struggle for justice. We are hopfeul that this will be a turning point for the campaign to protect the forests of the Baram. Stay tuned.

In solidarity,

The Borneo Project Team.

Links:

• Read our press release on the case against SAVE Rivers
• Read our op-ed in Earth Island Journal
• Read our press release on the FSC case against Samling