Public Interest Lawyer Network (PILnet) Indonesia held its third conference (Conference III) in Hotel Onih in Bogor on June 15, 2023. Through the conference, which was attended by scores of public attorneys and civil society organizations from across Indonesia, a regeneration of PILnet management was arranged, and decisions made on PILnet strategic programs to 2026. Sekar Banjaran Aji, an activist from Greenpeace Indonesia, was confirmed as Management Coordinator, while Samaratu Fuad from the West Sumatra Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) was established as Ethics Council Chair. ELSAM, HuMa Indonesia, Sawit Watch, Lembaga Gemawan, Greenpeace Indonesia and Trend Asia were established as legal aid bodies in places where PILnet has secretariats.
PILnet is a network of public attorneys and civil society organizations formed as a support organization for communities, not individuals, facing structural legal cases or pressures from governments and/or corporations. Currently, PILnet is focusing its attention on human rights violations, natural resource and environmental conflicts, and legal support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs).
PILnet Indonesia was established in 2007, and openly declared on August 5, 2010. At the time of declaration, Wahyu Wagiman – an ELSAM activist at the time – was elected as Management Coordinator; and ELSAM, Sawit Watch, HuMA, WALHI, and Lembaga Gemawan were established as legal aid bodies. During Conference II, held in 2014, Andi Muttaqin was confirmed as Management Coordinator, with Erwin Natosmal Oemar, Eep Saepulloh, Sinung Karto, and Sandoro Purba as members; and Samaratul Fuad as Ethics Council Chair, with Hermansyah, Herlambang Perdana, Maharani Siti Sopia, and Muhammad Rusdi as members.
Since its declaration, PILnet had provided legal support to many Indigenous Peoples and local communities, participated in proposing judicial reviews of regulations threatening IPLCs’ management of natural resources and the environment, and delivered series of amicus curiae briefs in relevant cases during court proceedings in Indonesia.
In Conference III, PILnet also agreed to having an additional 22 public attorneys and various civil society organizations, including Auriga Nusantara, as new members.