Addressing industrial pollution in Indonesia: The nexus between regulation and redress seeking

D'Hondt, L.Y. (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

More than three quarters of Indonesians do not have access to piped water. They depend on river water for bathing and sometimes also for drinking water. But the vast majority of rivers are severely polluted, many of them by industrial waste. This book explains why it has been so difficult for both the government and citizens to act against industrial river pollution.
This socio-legal research looks at regulation and explains how government institutions have set norms to polluting behaviour, and how they have detected and responded to violations. It also analyses how citizens have participated in this process and how they seek redress for the wrongdoings they are faced with. Does victim involvement offer better chances for adequate environmental problem solving?
The author illuminates the complex interrelations between the processes of regulation and redress seeking. Two extended case studies on Rancaekek in West Java and Kao-Malifut in North Maluku demonstrate illustrate how in practice these interrelations can lead to losing sight of stopping the actual pollution problem, shifting focus to compensation and increased social tensions and inequality within communities. This study’s theoretical contribution lies mainly in expanding the insights into the mutual influence of regulation and redress seeking.

• Access to justice
• Environmental justice
• Environmental law
• Socio-legal studies
• Indonesia

• All authors: D'Hondt, L.Y.
• Supervisor: Bedner, A.W.
• Co-supervisor: Vel, J.A.C.
• Committee: Voermans, W.J.M.; Persoon, G.A.; Rooij, B. van; Uylenburg, R.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of the Law, Leiden Law School, Leiden University
• Date: 2019-10-17
• Title of host publication: Meijers-reeks
• ISBN (print): 9789402816976
• Name: MI-327