Indonesia Must Stop Forced Evictions In Mandalika: UN Experts

22 August 2025

UN experts* today renewed their concerns over forced evictions tied to Indonesia’s Mandalika tourism megaproject, warning of militarisation in the area and grave harm to the Indigenous Sasak Peoples.

“More than 700 security forces, including personnel from a private security company have destroyed personal belongings, property and homes, and confiscated land from local communities,” the experts said. “No adequate notice has been given, and no suitable alternative housing or resettlement has been provided.”

From 15 to 17 July 2025, 186 locally-owned, family-run businesses in Tanjung Aan and surrounding areas, many of which are managed by women, were forcibly evicted. Over 2,000 people, mostly Sasak Indigenous Peoples, lost their primary means of livelihood overnight.

A private security company, contracted by InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), has reportedly been responsible for delivering eviction notices, giving residents only days to vacate their homes and shops. Affected communities were not consulted prior to the evictions and the free, prior and informed consent of the Indigenous Peoples, required under international law, was not obtained, the experts said.

“In Ebunut, some of those evicted were previously displaced during eviction drives between 2019 and 2021,” they said. “This is the second time that they have been uprooted from their homes and lands.”

The experts expressed alarm at the reports of intimidation and use of force during the evictions and against those who publicly object to the way the project is being implemented. Despite concerns being raised by national and international bodies, further evictions appear to be planned in the coming weeks.

“These communities are now living in fear,” the experts warned. “The evictions are compounding poverty, displacing communities and Indigenous Peoples, and pushing them deeper into marginalisation and destitution.”

For years, the Mandalika tourism project has been marred by allegations of human rights abuses and lack of accountability. The experts have repeatedly raised these concerns with the Government of Indonesia, InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), formerly known as Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) , which is still financing the project.

“Multilateral development banks have a responsibility to ensure that they do not finance projects that result in human rights violations. By financing the Mandalika project, the AIIB risks being complicit in such violations,” the experts warned. “Both the ITDC and the private security company involved in the forced evictions may also be liable for human rights violations.”

The experts urged Indonesia and implementing agencies to immediately suspend any further evictions, engage in meaningful and transparent consultations with those affected, and implement effective remedies and compensation for the losses suffered.

“Deploying a private security firm to carry out these evictions violates international law and AIIB standards,” the experts said. “It is a dangerous escalation that further erodes accountability.”

“Real development uplifts communities – it does not uproot them,” they said.

“The people of Mandalika must not be sacrificed for a project that promises economic growth at the expense of human rights.”

*The experts:

• Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context
• Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
• Pichamon Yeophantong (Chairperson), Damilola Olawuyi (Vice-Chairperson), Fernanda Hopenhaym, Lyra Jakulevičienė and Robert McCorquodale, Working Group on business and human rights
• Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent fromany government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN.

© Scoop Media