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| Crossed spears left by uncontacted Indians in northern Peru. © Marek Wolodzko/AIDESEP |
More than one hundred indigenous communities in northern Peru have declared themselves in a permanent ‘state of emergency’ after a Brazilian company announced its intention to enter their territories.
Representatives of the communities say they will not allow Petrobras, the Brazilian state oil company, on their land. Petrobras is hoping for a meeting with some of them tomorrow, March 25.
‘We have had bad experiences with oil companies and meetings with them. These meetings aren’t consultations, but formal requirements they go through in order to have their projects approved. When we have attended in the past, they made it seem as if we accepted their proposals, but we only went to listen. We’re no longer that naïve and we are not going to be cheated again,’ said a leader from one of the local indigenous organisations.
The region where Petrobras wants to work includes parts of the rainforest inhabited by uncontacted tribes. Only last week Petrobras announced a deal with Colombia’s state oil company, Ecopetrol, to collaborate on the project.
Watch Survival's film 'Uncontacted Tribes'
Act now to help the Uncontacted Indians of Peru
Your efforts are crucial in defending the Uncontacted Tribes. Get involved in this urgent effort in the following ways.
- Writing a letter to the Peruvian government can make a real difference.
- Donate to the Uncontacted Indians campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Peruvian embassy
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival…
