Politics · Indonesia · 1 hr ago
Opinion argues Indonesia’s forest fires should be treated as ecocide
An opinion writer argues that large fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan should be treated as ecocide.
The fires burn peatland and forest, expose millions of people to toxic smoke and damage ecosystems and livelihoods.
Smoke has also crossed Indonesia’s borders, affecting neighboring countries including Singapore and Malaysia.
The writer says existing enforcement often targets people on the ground without reaching the companies or decision-makers behind large-scale burning.
A proposed definition describes ecocide as unlawful or reckless conduct likely to cause severe, widespread or long-term environmental damage.
The writer argues that Indonesian fires meet those criteria, but this is an opinion, not a legal ruling.
Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa have proposed adding ecocide as an international crime at the International Criminal Court, while the European Union has recognized it in its 2024 environmental crime directive.
An opinion article argues that Indonesia’s recurring forest and land fires should be treated as ecocide.
The author says the fires cause severe ecological and human harm, including toxic haze, respiratory illness and damage to rainforests.
The article says smoke crosses borders into neighboring ASEAN countries, including Singapore and Malaysia.
It argues that existing enforcement often targets field operators while failing to reach corporate entities and people directing the fires.
The author says large-scale fires meet the proposed ecocide criteria and calls for Indonesia to adopt the concept.
- Who
- The opinion article’s author argues that Indonesia should treat large-scale forest and land fires as ecocide.
- What
- The article says the fires cause severe, widespread and long-term harm and should be treated as ecocide.
- When
- The article was published on 2026-10-29. It describes fires that recur routinely.
- Where
- Indonesia, especially peatland areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan; smoke also reaches Singapore and Malaysia.
- Why
- The author argues that current enforcement often fails to reach corporate entities and decision-makers behind large-scale burning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Independent Expert Panel formulated a definition of ecocide, as cited in the opinion.
Detik published the opinion arguing that Indonesia’s forest and land fires should be treated as ecocide.
- Article type
- Personal opinion; does not represent Detik’s editorial view
- Publication date
- 2026-10-29
- Fire regions
- Peatland areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan
- Cross-border haze
- Singapore and Malaysia
- Ecocide definition cited
- Formulated by the Independent Expert Panel in June 2021
What people are saying
unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment