Press Releases

New Report by Human Rights Coalition in Ecuador Exposes Mounting Threats Against Rights Defenders

Research reveals government and industry complicity in systemic rights violations against defenders and provides recommendations for urgent action

Quito, Ecuador – Today, Ecuador's Alliance for Human Rights delivered a hard-hitting new report to government authorities and the Ombudsman's Office on the critical situation of rights defenders in the country. The report, entitled "Rights Defenders Under Threat in Ecuador: How Government Protection is Insufficient and Favors Industry Interests," reveals the intensifying dangers that rights defenders face as part of their struggles to protect and defend their territories, autonomy, and identity, and puts the spotlight on government and industry complicity to undermine their vital work.

Civil Society to the United Nations Development Programme: Sever Ties to the Oil Industry

UNDP Executive Board must exclude all fossil fuels from current and future alliances to protect Indigenous and traditional communities, the environment, and our climate

New York, NY – Prompted by the recent alliance in Colombia between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and GeoPark, an oil company credibly accused of human rights and environmental malfeasance in the Amazon rainforest, an international group of more than forty organizations wrote to the UNDP Executive Board on Friday, June 4. The letter called on it to sever all ties with the fossil fuel industry and to use this week's annual meeting to stop any ongoing and future collaboration with the fossil fuel industry.

BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street Invested $46 Billion in Amazon Oil Companies Tied to Indigenous Rights Violations and Rainforest Destruction

New report by environmental and human rights organization, Amazon Watch, highlights case studies on billions in amazon oil investments by the "Big Three" asset managers

"As long as the world's largest investors choose to place profits over people by continuing to pour money into the fossil fuel industry in the Amazon, our entire planet is at risk. BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard must end their complicity in Indigenous rights abuses, forest destruction, and climate chaos," said Moira Birss, Climate and Finance Director at Amazon Watch.

Garimpeiros ilegais atacam e incendeiam aldeia Munduruku na Amazônia brasileira

Jacareacanga, Brasil – Em 26 de maio, durante extensa operação da Polícia Federal para a remoção de garimpeiros ilegais do Território Indígena Munduruku, no estado do Pará, invasores armados atacaram uma aldeia Munduruku, atirando contra importantes lideranças contrárias à mineração ilegal em suas terras. Durante o ataque, duas casas foram incendiadas, entre elas a casa de Maria Leusa Kaba, coordenadora da Associação de Mulheres Wakoborum, e a residência do chefe da aldeia, de acordo com um comunicado do Movimento Munduruku Ipereg Ayu.

Communities Demand Accountability and an End to Chevron's Pollution

During the 8th annual Anti-Chevron Day, affected frontline communities from around the world continue the fight to secure justice and freedom from Chevron's pollution 

Oakland, CA – "Anti-Chevron Day" is a global day of action, every year on May 21, to remind the world of the impacts caused by the oil company in places such as the Ecuadorian Amazon, Myanmar, and the Bay Area. For the eighth consecutive year, a diverse coalition of groups calls upon the international community before Chevron's Annual General Meeting on May 26 so that together, in this global fight, we can combat impunity by corporations and secure recognition of the human rights violations against affected communities.

Amazon Watch Statement Denouncing Latest Attacks on the Yanomami by Illegal Miners

"The escalation of violence within the Yanomami Territory without any concrete action by the Brazilian government is unconscionable. For eight days, illegal miners have attacked the Palimiú village with gunshots and are using tear gas to disperse the people. Women and children are being targeted and killed. As a result of the first attack, two Yanomami children drowned from panic."

Armed Conflict With Illegal Miners and Indigenous People Signals Risk of Imminent Massacre, According to Yanomami

Brasilia, Brazil – Illegal miners in seven boats with weapons of different calibers attacked the Palimiú village within the Yanomami Indigenous Land, the largest in Brazil, yesterday in Roraima. The Yanomami struck back with arrows and shotguns. The actual number of injuries and possible deaths is not yet known.