News & Multimedia from 2010

United States To Back U.N. Indigenous Rights Declaration

The United States will endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), making it the last industrialized power to support the agreement, which recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples on issues including free prior and informed consent (FPIC), right to sovereignty, territory and respect for traditional knowledge. The move was announced last week by President Barack Obama.

United States Endorsement of the UN Indigenous Rights Declaration a Welcome Development

Application of Declaration Crucial in U.S. Foreign Policy

Washington, DC – The Obama Administration's endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a welcome development, Amazon Watch stated today. Following a policy review process, announced in April of this year at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Administration released its new position on December 16th. Of the four countries that originally voted against the UNDRIP – Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States – the U.S. is the last to reverse its position to endorse the Declaration.

Chevron's Desperation, Evidence Tampering, and Insults to Indigenous Culture Growing In Ecuador Trial

Oil Giant's Lawyers Concoct Fake "Forgery" to Cover Up Their Own Pattern of Unlawful Activity At Trial

Quito, Ecuador – With evidence growing that it has engaged in blatant misconduct to undermine an epic environmental trial in Ecuador, Chevron is now claiming that the fingerprint signatures of mostly illiterate indigenous persons filed years ago with the court as part of the original lawsuit were "forged" and that therefore the 17-year trial should be nullified.

Joint Letter of Concern for the Safety of Tony James

The following 38 organizations from around the world are writing to express our concern for the security and well-being of Mr. Tony James, President of the Amerindian Peoples Association. According to the Executive Board of APA, in a statement issued on December 10th, there have been multiple incidents over recent months in which unknown people have come asking about Tony's whereabouts. In one instance, an unknown woman noted, "they want his head; they want him dead."

Declaration about the Consultation Process in Peru around the Forestry Law

We, the undersigned organizations, wish to express our grave concern regarding Peru's process of "consultation" regarding its Forestry and Wildlife Law. Although the current process represents an advance in comparison to previous processes, it lacks legitimacy as well as the support of the country's representative indigenous organizations.

Outspoken Critic of the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil, Bishop Erwin Kräutler Receives "Right Livelihood Award" for a Lifetime of Defending the Amazon Rainforest and Indigenous Peoples

Belem, Brazil – International Rivers, Amazon Watch and the Movimento Xingu Vivo para Sempre celebrate the news that Bishop Erwin Kräutler will be one of four recipients of this year's Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize."