Mud volcano a human rights issue: Indonesian watchdog

PHOTO

Gas emission from the crater of the massive mud volcano in East Java. [Reuters]

Geoff Thompson, Jakarta

Last Updated: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:49:00 +1100

Indonesia's Human Rights Commission has accused the company behind a mud volcano in East Java of human rights violations.

Mud has been spewing from the volcano in Sidoarjo since May 2006.

The three kilometres of mud has submerged 13 villages, killed 13 people and displaced 36,000 people.

The cause of the mud volcano has yet to be made official.

Many experts say it was started by oil and gas exploration in the area; others have pointed to earthquakes at the time of the mud eruption.

Indonesia's human rights commission Komnasham has accused the mines operator, PT Lapindo Brantas, of human rights violations including the right to life, food, health safety and housing as well as the right to work and procreate.

Compensation, ordered by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2007, is yet to be paid to some of the victims.