SETARA Institute has awarded 39 companies for their efforts in integrating human rights into business operations during its “Business and Human Rights Appreciation Night” held on Friday, November 28, 2025.
The companies ‒ 21 from the palm oil sector and 18 in mining ‒ were selected based on findings from the Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Benchmark ‒ research that examines how corporations embed human rights principles, environmental and social governance (ESG), and sustainability into their policies and operational practices.
The RBC initiative is jointly developed by SETARA Institute and SIGI Research and Consulting, with support from the Tarumanagara Jakarta Foundation. It serves as a strategic tool to encourage systemic improvements within industries that hold significant economic weight yet face high social and environmental risks, particularly palm oil and mining.
SETARA Institute, founded by individuals committed to equality, diversity, solidarity, and human dignity, promotes conditions that support an open political environment grounded in respect for human rights and rejection of intolerance. Over years of operation, it has consistently advocated for stronger rights-based approaches in business governance.
The RBC Benchmark is designed to provide measurable insights into how far companies have progressed in applying responsible business conduct in line with international frameworks.
Globally, the adoption of Business and Human Rights (BHR) standards has become increasingly important amid growing calls for transparency, sustainability, and accountability. Businesses are expected not only to comply with national regulations but also to take responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of their activities.
According to the RBC Benchmark Executive Summary on November 25, 2025, companies in both the palm oil and mining sectors have made notable progress in establishing human rights–related policies and governance frameworks.
However, the report notes that major challenges remain in operational compliance, especially in ensuring effective human rights functions, implementing Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), and providing adequate remediation mechanisms.
Some recognized companies
Palm Oil Sector:
Asian Agri Group, Wilmar Group Indonesia, Astra Agro Lestari, Sampoerna Agro, PTPN III, among others.
Mining Sector:
MIND ID, Bumi Resources, INALUM, Timah, Freeport Indonesia, Harita Nickel, ANTAM, among others.
The recognition reflects a growing expectation that businesses ‒ particularly those operating in high-risk sectors ‒ ensure respect for human rights remains a core component of Indonesia’s sustainable economic development.
Harita Nickel
Harita Nickel one of the Business and Human Rights Award (BHAM) awardee earned a score of 65 with a “B” rating, placing it among 18 mining firms categorized as early adopters of Business and Human Rights (BHR) practices.
Harita Nickel’s Sustainability Director, Lim Sian Choo, said the recognition motivates the company to continue improving its approach.
“We see this award as a reminder and a reinforcement of Harita Nickel’s commitment to embed human rights principles in every business decision ‒ from policy to field implementation. The score and rating indicate we are on the right track, but there is still much room for improvement alongside our stakeholders,” Sian Choo said on Friday, November 28, 2025.
The company said that the achievement is not an end goal but part of an ongoing effort to uphold human dignity and environmental stewardship throughout its operations on Obi Island, North Maluku.
“We will continue updating our policies and practices in line with evolving human rights standards, maintain open communication channels, and ensure that development benefits are felt fairly and sustainably by communities,” Harita Nickel’s Sustainability Manager, Alexander Lieman, said.
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