October 16, 2000
Dr. Manoel Sobral Filho, Executive Director, ITTO
And Heads of Delegations of Member Countries
Dr. Filho and ITTO Member Countries:
Having learned that the ITTO has issued its report examining the implementation of the ITTO's Year 2000 Objective-the highly publicized goal of having "all tropical timber entering international trade come from sustainably managed sources by 2000"-we are concerned that after almost ten years you have not made adequate progress toward the Objective.
In particular, despite some activities that to some extent addressed the problems in Sarawak, Malaysia, there have been no improvements made there. We understand that logging in this state has reached the final stages near the Indonesian border, where the last hunters-and-gatherers of the Penan have been struggling to defend the remaining intact forests and are struggling for their very survival. In addition, oil palm plantation development schemes have been further clearing the remaining secondary forests and deepening the impoverishment of the native population in the state. Furthermore, Acacia mangium plantation projects for pulp and paper production have threatened over a million hectares of forests and customary land of Dayak communities as a result of illegal appropriation. These situations show that indigenous people's participation in decision-making and their land rights have been ignored.
Recently we have been receiving reports that in desperation the Penan people in the upper Baram have filed a lawsuit against illegal encroachment and destructive logging operations within their customary lands.
We urge the ITTO and member governments to open their eyes to see the present situation in Sarawak and ask why nothing has been achieved despite commitments to achieve a reduction of logging in Sarawak (AAC).
We are also concerned that Indonesia, another major tropical timber exporting country, failed to achieve sustainability in their forest management policies and practices. Although the widespread existence of illegal logging practices is commonly known among NGOs and governments, there has been little improvement in the situation, despite the efforts of many NGOs and peoples' organizations. In fact, documented illegal logging seems to have increased to a reported 70% of logging, according to government sources.
These two countries are visible examples of the worldwide trends of the destruction of tropical forest ecosystems. Both exporting and importing governments should more aggressively seek solutions to halt the forest crisis. We urge the ITTO and member countries show the world how you will address and resolve the problems in Indonesia and Sarawak-two significant examples of the dramatic failure to achieve the ITTO's Year 2000 Objective.
Therefore, we request responses from the ITTO on these three points.
1. We urge you to conduct a proper evaluation among the member governments on these subjects during next ITTC and review the lack of actions taken to achieve the Year 2000 Objective by member countries.
2. The least ITTO should be doing is drafting an action plan to address illegal commercial logging and urge its members to follow the UK in stating it will develop a plan to stop the import of illegally harvested timber in order to reinforce the law enforcement in exporting countries.
3. Finally, if ITTO fails to respond to these issues by concrete and effective measures, how can you justify the existence of the ITTO?
We urge you to consider these three points and request a response on whether and how the ITTO will address them. A reply would be appreciated before the next ITTO session in Yokohama, at the latest by October 25th.
Sincerely,
APEC Monitor NGO Network (AM-Net)
Friends of the Earth, Japan
Green Friends - Japanese Forest NGO
Greenpeace, Japan
HUTAN Group
Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES)
Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN)
Japan Tropical Forest Action Network Nagoya
Kobe Student Youth Center
Mekong Watch
People's Forum 2001
Sarawak Campaign Committee
Solid Action on Globalization and Environment (SAGE)
South East Asia/Pacific & North East Asian Region, International People's
Health Council (IPHC)
Tropical Forest Kyoto
BORNEO RESOURCES INSTITUTE Malaysia Sarawak (BRIMAS)
Bruno-Manser-Fonds <Switzerland>
The Coastal Coalition <United States of America>
Conservation Melanesia Inc. <Papua New Guinea>
Fern <United Kingdom>
International Network of Forests and Communities
Native Forest Network Southern Hemisphere <Australia>
Novoid Across Cultures
PanEco, Foundation for Sustainable Development and Intercultural Exchange
Pacific Environment and Resources Center <United States of America>
Plight of The Redwoods Campaign <United States of America>
PNG Eco-Forestry Forum <Papua New Guinea>
Pro Natura - Friends of the Earth Switzerland
Pro REGENWALD <Germany>
Rainforest Relief <United States of America>
Rettet den Regenwald <Germany>
Swedish Society for Nature Conservation <Sweden>
Telapak <Indonesia>
the Victoria, Canada, Chapter of the Council of Canadians <Canada>
WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) <Indonesia>
WALHI SOUTH-SULAWESI <Indonesia>
WALLACE FOREST ECOLOGY PROTECTION <Indonesia>
World Rainforest Movement