Press Releases

In Paris, Brazilian Indigenous Leaders Denounce the Role of French Financiers in Amazon Destruction

Eight Brazilian indigenous leaders led a spirited protest along with 100 supporters in a Parisian financial center today, targeting the key role of French investors behind mounting human rights and environmental destruction in the Amazon.

Indigenous Opposition Forces Andes Petroleum Out of Controversial Rainforest Oil Block

Oil company's departure latest in wave of indigenous resistance that has shelved new Ecuador drilling plans

"The declaration by the government of force majeure in Block 79 is a result of our fight, and it was forced to recognize that these territories are ours, we live there. We are asking the government to remove all oil concessions from our territories. We will remain vigilant," said Yanda Montahuano, a Sapara leader.

Indigenous Forest Guardian Murdered by Illegal Loggers in Brazilian Amazon

Another indigenous leader was gravely wounded in the ambush and a logger is reportedly missing

Earlier today, members of the Guajajara people's Forest Guardians, a volunteer land and environmental monitoring force, were ambushed by a group of illegal loggers in the Araribóia indigenous territory, leaving one Guardian dead and another gravely wounded. Forest defender Paulo Paulino Guajajara was killed by a shot to the face, while the attack gravely wounded the Guardian leader Laércio Guajajara.

Brazilian Indigenous Leaders Interrupt Global Summit to Tell Top Brands "Our Survival Is at Stake"

"The companies you represent bear part of the responsibility for the threat we Indigenous People are facing in Brazil. Be conscious about your responsibility. Everything is at stake, the rainforest, the climate and our survival," said Sonia Guajajara, one of the ten Indigenous leaders from APIB visiting Europe.

Indigenous Peoples Call for Urgent Action to Protect the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Region

Amazon rainforest and Indigenous rights under imminent threat from oil and mining

Lima, Peru – On the heels of widespread indigenous protests in Ecuador, and at the Latin American Parks Congress, the Indigenous federations that are part of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative called for emergency support to stop the governments of Ecuador and Peru from expanding new fossil fuel, mining, and large-scale industrial development in one of the critical headwaters regions of the Amazon River.

Amazon Watch Statement on the National Strike by Ecuador's Indigenous Movement

"This moment of crisis presents Ecuador with a unique opportunity to heed the call of its people, support indigenous-led solutions, begin a transition to a post-petroleum economy, and put into practice the visionary concepts guaranteed by their Constitution, including the rights of nature and 'buen vivir' (living well), as well as respecting national and international laws on the rights to indigenous peoples. Now is the time to protect and defend the Amazon, indigneous rights, and the climate for all of our collective future."