Jakarta – The family of missing poet Wiji Thukul rejected the Yap Thiam Hien human rights award mainly because a foreign-based mining company is allegedly involved in several human rights violations partially sponsors to the award.

The family said in a statement that their refusal originated from the fact that Australia-based mining company Rio Tinto contributes financial support for the award. They said Rio Tinto was involved in several human rights violations at its several mining sites in the country, and were responsible for the 1992 arrest of several demonstrators, who demanded the company to pay proper compensation for their land used for mining operations in Kalimantan.

The family's move was supported by several non-governmental organizations on environment. Wiji, whose poems were a godsend to the oppressed, has been "missing" since 1996. It is believed that authorities kidnapped him following the July 27, 1996 attack on the Indonesia Democratic Party headquarters in Jakarta.