The United Nations criticized the government of Ecuador on Friday for ordering the closure of a land rights advocacy group that supports an indigenous community protesting mining plans in land they claim as their ancestral home.
All: 2016
CONAIE Statement on the Militarization of Shuar Territory and the Detention of Agustín Wachapá
We are grateful for the solidarity of the Ecuadorian people and indigenous peoples' organizations, human rights throughout Latin America and the world, and call on the international community to be alert and vigilant to what happens in Ecuador, especially with our sisters and brothers of Shuar Nationality whose territory, life, and survival are in...
Reflecting and Recommitting to Defending Our Rights and Mother Earth
While the political climate has dramatically changed in 2016, we remain ever-committed to advancing our work in defense of the Amazon, in support of indigenous peoples rights and territories, and in growing the global movement to keep fossil fuels in the ground and build a just transition to renewables.
New Witch Hunt in Ecuador Against Indigenous and Environment Defenders
Ecuador became an even more difficult place to be a defender of indigenous rights and the environment in recent days. You would think a country with constitutionally-enshrined protections for Mother Nature would support and encourage indigenous and environmental rights defenders, but sadly that is not the case, and it has implications for the...
Temer Government Set To Overthrow Brazil’s Environmental Agenda
Brazil's conservative National Congress has rushed to pass a wave of legislative initiatives, which taken all together, would dismantle much of the nation's body of law protecting the environment and indigenous people – an effort likely to escalate in 2017.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Ecuador Moves To Close Leading Environmental Organization as Part of Crackdown on Civil Society
Ecuador's Environment Ministry announced yesterday its intention to shutter Acción Ecológica, the country's leading grassroots environmental organization. The move is a clear reprisal to the group's efforts to raise awareness about environmental and indigenous rights concerns over a planned mega-copper mine on the lands of the Shuar indigenous...
Urgent Statement Regarding the Ecuadorian Government’s Move to Close Acción Ecológica
Acción Ecológica denounces the request made to set in motion an administrative procedure that would dissolve our organization on the grounds that we have deviated from the aims for which we were constituted.
Amazon Watch Statement on Recent Events in Shuar Territory in Nankints
Amazon Watch is concerned about the escalating tensions between the Shuar community of Nankints, the government, and the Chinese mining consortium EXSA (Ecuacorriente and Explorcobres).
Peruvian Indigenous Federation Tells Oil Company: Stay Out of Our Territory
"We have lived through the bad experience of damages to our habitat, health, and life as a result of activities related to the Northern Peruvian Oil Pipeline and activities of the oil company Talisman, from which there continue to be environmental liabilities, in part within our territory, that to date have not been remediated," the Achuar wrote...
Brazil’s Dam Menace Looms Large Despite Recent Victory
In Brazil, hydroelectric dams are a reflection of the system's problems: corruption, injustice and inequality.
Joint Declaration from CONAIE and CONFENIAE on the Recent Events in Nankints, Morona Santiago
We reiterate our request to national and international human rights organizations to collaborate in protecting the rights, life and integrity of the Shuar community and of all [people] involved in this situation, and we call for the solidarity of the people to demand the demilitarization and a cease of the violent actions that benefit the Chinese...
Pipe Dreams Versus People Power in Ecuador’s Southern Rainforests
Long before climate scientists were warning about rising global temperatures and the new imperative to keep all fossil fuels permanently in the ground, indigenous peoples in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon were already doing it.
Top Scientists: Amazon’s Tapajós Dam Complex "a Crisis in the Making"
Brazil is forging ahead with plans to build a vast hydropower dam complex in the heart of the Amazon that would convert the now remote and wild Tapajós river system into a tamed industrial waterway for the purpose of transporting soybeans – development that scientists and NGOs say will threaten Amazonian biodiversity, ecosystems, traditional...
As Oil Companies Dig Into Yasuní National Park, Ecuadorians Are Fighting Back
"If we can't manage to protect places that are this important,"" says Kevin Koenig, Ecuador program director for Amazon Watch, "then it seems unlikely that we'll be able to protect the rest of the planet. Depending on what happens here, we could be at the beginning of what could turn out to be a very tragic story."
Tired of Superheroes? Here Are Some Movies With Real Heroes Fighting for Our Future
Check out one of the stunning new films recently released about the Amazon and the heroic environmental defenders protecting it and defending us from climate change.
Brazil’s Dispossessed: Belo Monte Dam Ruinous for Indigenous Cultures
Hydropower is often touted as a climate-friendly source of energy, and Brazil has the potential to be one of the world’s greatest producers. Yet the human consequences of damming rivers have proven devastating. A prime example is seen in the charge of ethnocide lodged against the parties responsible for building the Belo Monte Dam.
Amazonian Tribe in Peru Says It Will Block New Oil Drilling Plans
An indigenous federation opposed to a recently approved plan for oil drilling in the Peruvian Amazon said on Friday that native communities will physically block any attempt by oil companies to operate on their lands.
Sarayaku Fights on for Justice
Four years after the historic verdict in their favor from the Inter-American Court on Human Rights of the Organization of American States, the Kichwa community of Sarayaku was back in San Jose, Costa Rica today facing off with the Ecuadorian government, which has failed to comply with the most critical components of the Court's landmark 2012...
Sarayaku People’s Struggle for Justice in Ecuador Presented in Interactive Digital Map
On the occasion of a public compliance hearing at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights today, members of the indigenous Kichwa community in Sarayaku exposed the Ecuadorian State's failure to comply with the 2012 judgement issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, using a new interactive digital story-map to demonstrate how the...
Beautiful Solidarity: Our Historic Visit to U’wa Sacred Territory
At Amazon Watch we are extremely proud of the relationship of solidarity we have built with the U’wa, who continue to amaze and inspire us.
We’re Not Giving Up On Our Climate! Our Future Is Depending On Us!
We will not let Trump or anyone else stand in our way of defending our climate, our rights, or the Amazon. Join us in calling for an end to Amazon crude and to keep all fossil fuels in the ground to avert climate chaos!
Victories by Brazil’s Indigenous Movement Demonstrate Ways To Resist Authoritarianism
From North to South America and around the world, the ascendency of authoritarian leaders portends dangerous days ahead. Yet at the same time, remarkable stories continue to emerge of determined resistance to these brutal regressions, led by the continent's indigenous peoples from the Amazon to Standing Rock.
Will Colombia’s Peace Process Have an Environmental Dark Side?
For the majority of Colombians, and for those who have worked on human rights in Colombia, the conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions can't end soon enough.
No Matter the Outcome of the Election, We’ll Continue To Fight For the Amazon
Tomorrow marks the end of a wrenching election season here in the U.S., one with barely a mention of the environment or climate change, and certainly no proposals for major policies to protect our environment and address climate change.
Ecuador’s Indigenous Peoples Strengthen Resolve To Protect Rights and Resources
In the face of direct attempts by the government to subvert its leadership and the continued encroachment of oil and mineral exploitation further into the Amazon, an organized, strengthened CONFENIAE is critical to the defense of Amazonian peoples and lands, and needs our support.
Peru: New President, Old Tensions
After five lackluster years under President Ollanta Humala, Peru is facing a new political scenario with the ascension of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to the presidency. Here are some of the flashpoints Amazon Watch will be monitoring in the coming months and years.
Amazon Watch Stands in Solidarity with Water Protectors at Standing Rock
On October 27th in North Dakota, indigenous water protectors and their allies were assaulted by over 300 police officers in riot gear, ATVs and armored vehicles. Police used pepper spray, concussion grenades and a sound cannon against non-violent activists in an outrageous and unnecessary use of force. This is yet another example of what...
Solidarity for Water Protectors from North Dakota to the Amazon
Why are so many indigenous peoples protesting oil pipelines? One big reason: to prevent the spills that invariably occur with pipelines and end up contaminating water sources and their territories.
Another Pipeline Spill Reported in Peruvian Amazon As Indigenous Protests Enter Eighth Week
As a protest by Peruvian Amazonian indigenous communities against oil pollution on their lands entered its eighth week, tensions rose on October 23rd after a new pipeline oil spill and a shooting incident in which at least one protester was wounded.