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Indigenous Rights

Pulse, Xingu! The Way to Revive the Volta Grande after Belo Monte

Juruna researchers and riverine people from Volta Grande do Xingu, with academics from different areas of science, propose the Piracemas Hydrogram, a necessary action for fish to reproduce again

Instituto Socioambiental | The Xingu River needs to pulsate for life to exist. The flood pulse is the source of the life cycle in most Amazonian rivers. The Juruna Yudjá of the Paquiçamba Indigenous Land and the riverside communities of Volta Grande do Xingu have known this for a long time.

From the Rainforest to the Interamerican Commission: Protecting the Brazilian Amazon

How Amazon Watch and allies bring Indigenous leadership and demands to international decision-makers

In the last couple of years, we have grown our work in international advocacy and legal strategies to denounce the threats the Brazilian government tries to pose to the environment and Indigenous peoples by pushing for a set of bill of laws known as the “Destruction Package.”

Peruvian Indigenous Movement Achieves a Victory, Though Threats Remain

The oil industry, illegal miners, and land traffickers continue their attacks in lockstep with the Peruvian Congress through a dangerous set of bills

It is essential that we recognize this pattern and be ready to mobilize in solidarity with the Peruvian Indigenous movement in the struggles to come over the next few months.

Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.

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Indigenous Peoples Reject Canadian Copper Mining Project in Ecuadorian Amazon

Solaris Resources faces rising risk as new Shuar Arutam leadership denounces company ahead of Annual General Meeting

"Mining 'development' is a myth. It is ravaging communities and Ecuador’s unique ecosystems. People have had enough. We are putting companies and investors on notice that they are not welcome in our territories, and we defend our rights.”

Peruvian Congress Places Isolated Indigenous Peoples Under Threat

The Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force founding member state, California, could use its influence to protect them and defend the “PIACI” law

Peru’s regional governments, as well as extractive companies trying to greenwash their image in front of the world, must know that we will not allow them to continue. The GCF Task Force must denounce this contradiction.

Brazil’s Pivotal Indigenous Land Rights Ruling Faces Another Delay

Delay prolongs risks for the climate and Indigenous lives

“The Supreme Court’s definitive ruling denying the Marco Temporal thesis is the only means to counter the moves of Brazil’s agribusiness-oriented Congress and guarantee these proposed legislation's unconstitutionality.”

Ecuador Makes History: Vote to Keep the Oil in the Ground in Yasuní Underway

Watch this video update from our Ecuador legal advisor, Nathaly Yepez, about the exciting referendum

The protection of Yasuní is crucial: It is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, and any invasions by oil and extractive activity could further destabilize our global climate and destroy the territory of the Tagaeri and Taromenane peoples.

Dismantling the Environment Is Shooting Yourself in the Foot 

Nearly 800 organizations sign a letter rejecting Provisional Measure 1154 in Brazil

The substitute for Provisional Measure 1154, approved in the Mixed Committee, dismantles the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the agencies linked to it and weakens the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI). The text needs to be amended by the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

Rights at Risk as Ecuador’s President Dissolves Congress

A wave of uncertainty and concern has gripped Ecuador after right-wing President Lasso invoked Article 148, known as the “muerte cruzada” clause in the country’s constitution, dissolving congress and convening new elections. 

Risks and Rights Violations Associated With the Marco Temporal Thesis

An Interdisciplinary Analysis from Law, Economics, Anthropology, and Climate Science

Marco Temporal is a political thesis transformed into an ad hoc constitutional interpretation mechanism that limits the rights of Indigenous peoples to their traditional lands through the application of an arbitrary, restrictive, and legally unfounded temporal cutoff.

Amazon Watch Response to Petroperú

Under international standards, the impacted communities should have been consulted for the creation of Block 64 as well as all leasing contracts, which did not happen. As such, the “intercultural dialogue mechanisms” cannot be considered as complying with the international standards of FPIC.

Demarcation Now! Brazil’s Indigenous Movement Secures Land Recognition Victories

Munduruku land Sawré Muybu, home to 2023 Goldman Prize Winner Alessandra Munduruku, is one of the territories heading into the final steps of the demarcation process

"Lula promised to resume land demarcation. We believe in him, but let's not fool ourselves that now the fight will be easy. We will not solve 523 years of destruction in four years, but we will push on!"

2021-2022 Annual Report

Following years of multiple crises in the Amazon amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we began to see hope on the horizon in 2021-2022. It was a monumental year defending the Amazon and human rights!

Brazilian Indigenous Leader Alessandra Munduruku Awarded Goldman Prize

We celebrate and honor the life and journey of resistance by the great Indigenous leader Alessandra Munduruku. May her example serve as a source of inspiration and strength to continue our work in defense of the Amazon in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples.

Amazon Indigenous Woman Wins Goldman Environment Prize

Associated Press | “This award is an opportunity to draw attention to the demarcation of the Sawre Muybu territory. It is our top priority, along with the expulsion of illegal miners.”

The Right to Decide: U’wa Bring Case to Court After 25 Years

“As the U’wa Nation, we have a special mission for the Blue Planet, our Mother Earth, which is to defend her, protect her, safeguard her. Not just for the U’wa but for the whole world. This is the essence of the U’wa struggle from time immemorial.”

New Toolkit Guides Investors on Indigenous Rights Respect

Toolkit and website provides innovative guidance for institutional investors on due diligence for Indigenous rights, which is a responsibility of investors and is crucial for climate stability, biodiversity protection, and financial risk management

New York, NY —Today, Amazon Watch published Respecting Indigenous Rights: An Actionable Toolkit for Institutional Investors, an Indigenous-led guide for pension funds, asset managers, and other institutional investors on their responsibility to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Respecting Indigenous Rights

An Actionable Due Diligence Toolkit for Institutional Investors

The rights of Indigenous peoples are protected by a robust and growing body of international human rights instruments and jurisprudence. This Toolkit provides practical guidance and tools for institutional investors to learn about and meet their responsibility to respect Indigenous peoples’ rights, and in turn, avoid financial, and reputational...

Women Must Be Protagonists in Solving the Climate Crisis

As the most vulnerable population, particularly those at the intersection of the environment and Indigeneity, women should take part in the development of global climate solutions

"We will all be affected by climate change." The truth is that some will face the impacts of this process much more than others. And it is women and girls who are the most vulnerable, with Black and Indigenous women being even more exposed.