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Tell the United States government to condemn killings in the Peruvian Amazon
Killed for protecting their land from mining
On June 5th, World Environment Day, Peruvian security forces killed at least two dozen indigenous people protesting to protect their lands around Bagua in the Peruvian Amazon. In the violence, nine policemen perished as well. The protestors were opposing the Peruvian government’s opening of the region to oil and gas drilling and mining — supposedly conditions of the Peru-US trade agreement.
On June 5th, World Environment Day, Peruvian security forces killed at least two dozen indigenous people protesting to protect their lands around Bagua in the Peruvian Amazon. In the violence, nine policemen perished as well. The protestors were opposing the Peruvian government’s opening of the region to oil and gas drilling and mining — supposedly conditions of the Peru-US trade agreement.
TAKE ACTION
Thus far, the U.S. government has been silent. Act now and tell Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to urge the Peruvian government to end the violence immediately. The U.S. must help resolve the conflict by publicly clarifying that the US-Peru trade agreement cannot undermine indigenous peoples’ rights. Call on the U.S. government to urge Peru to ensure that human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights are respected.
Thus far, the U.S. government has been silent. Act now and tell Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to urge the Peruvian government to end the violence immediately. The U.S. must help resolve the conflict by publicly clarifying that the US-Peru trade agreement cannot undermine indigenous peoples’ rights. Call on the U.S. government to urge Peru to ensure that human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights are respected.
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U.S.-Peru trade agreement the root cause?
In 2008, Peru’s President Garcia issued nearly 100 decrees, which would open up Peru’s rainforests to transnational corporations for oil and gas exploration. In response, tens of thousands of indigenous peoples have been peacefully marching and blockading to protect their land and forests. Peru’s Congress has suspended two of the controversial measures, but only temporarily. Indigenous leaders have signaled that their peaceful protests will continue until all the laws are completely revoked.
In 2008, Peru’s President Garcia issued nearly 100 decrees, which would open up Peru’s rainforests to transnational corporations for oil and gas exploration. In response, tens of thousands of indigenous peoples have been peacefully marching and blockading to protect their land and forests. Peru’s Congress has suspended two of the controversial measures, but only temporarily. Indigenous leaders have signaled that their peaceful protests will continue until all the laws are completely revoked.
Read more about the conflict on
Subject: Please condemn violence in the Peruvian Amazon
The Honorable Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State
United States Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20520
Honorable Secretary Clinton:
I am writing to urge the United States government to take immediate, concrete and public action to help resolve the escalating social and political crisis in Peru. I am deeply concerned about the recent police attacks on peaceful indigenous protesters in Bagua, in northern Peru. The protestors were opposing the Peruvian government’s opening of the region to oil and gas drilling and mining, supposedly conditions of the Peru-US Trade Promotion Agreement (U.S.-Peru TPA).
Eyewitness reports from the field indicate that the police attacked in the early morning on June 5, 2009, firing tear gas and live bullets that killed at least two dozen indigenous protesters. A number of police officers also lost their lives in the ensuing conflict.
The Peruvian government is trying to justify its actions by pointing to its obligations under the U.S.-Peru trade agreement. The U.S. government must clarify this connection immediately.
I strongly urge the US Government to:
1. Publicly condemn the violence and killings and urge the Peruvian Government to refrain from using force to dislodge protesters;
2. Communicate publicly that it supports the rights of indigenous peoples; and
3. Clarify publicly whether or not the repeal or reform of the legislative decrees underlying the crisis – particularly legislative decrees 1064, 1020, 1089, 1090, 994, and 995 and Law 29338 (Water Resources) – conflicts with the obligations of the U.S.-Peru TPA.
Sincerely,
