UDTR Global Rights of Nature Radar

Geographical Isolation in the Protection of Human Rights for Remote Indigenous Communities (KAT) in Indonesia: Challenges in the Implementation of International Human Rights Law

Identification

Public canonical key

doi:10.32734/alj.v4i1.23532

Authors

Juvito Solange Damanik · Sutiarnoto · Vita Cita Tarigan

Reported year

2026

Reported language

en

Source type

article

First detected

2026-11-09T19:04:47.987629+00:00

Last metadata observation

2026-11-09T19:04:47.987629+00:00

Last HTTP verification

Not checked

Institutions reported by the source

Universitas Sumatera Utara

Reported affiliation countries

ID

Documentary abstract — original language

Indonesia’s extensive forests and mountainous terrain result in significant geographical isolation for parts of its population, particularly Remote Indigenous Communities (Komunitas Adat Terpencil/KAT). This study examines the relationship between geographical isolation and the implementation of international human rights law in protecting the rights of KAT in Indonesia, as well as the normative and practical obstacles faced by the Indonesian government. Employing a normative and descriptive legal research method based on secondary data, this research analyzes international human rights instruments, particularly the UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, and ICERD, alongside Indonesian legal frameworks. The study finds that geographical isolation substantially hinders the practical realization of human rights for KAT, including the rights to an adequate standard of living, social security, and political participation. Limited accessibility restricts public services, economic development, legal oversight, and democratic processes in remote areas. Normatively, inconsistencies arise from differing national and international conceptions of indigenous peoples, where Indonesian law emphasizes socio-economic vulnerability and empowerment, while international law frames indigenous peoples as vulnerable rights-holders entitled to self-determination. The research concludes that greater harmonization between national law and international human rights standards, combined with policies addressing geographical isolation through environmental protection and equitable economic development, is essential for effective protection of KAT in Indonesia.

Identifiers

OPENALEX

W7154960209

DOI

10.32734/alj.v4i1.23532

Documentary context

Documentary family

Scholarship

Source-reported types

article

Jurisdictions studied — explicit sources

ID

Natural entities mentioned

Forest

Entity mentions are not evidence of legal recognition. Jurisdiction studied is separate from author affiliation country.

Sources

OpenAlex · Record 1 · Record 2

• DOI · https://doi.org/10.32734/alj.v4i1.23532
• OpenAlex · https://openalex.org/W7154960209

Documentary status

Relevance pending

Library

This identity is not yet included in the Legal Library.