Amazon Watch was joined by more than 50 civil society organizations to compile three critical reports - covering Regional, Amazonian, and Oil and Gas - under the campaign Unmasking Canada: Rights Violations Across Latin America.
Indigenous Rights
Yasuní Victory Shows Us the Way to End Amazon Crude
In a historic vote, Ecuadorians have shown the world what true climate leadership looks like. Their vote is a step toward a fossil fuel-free future that protects biodiversity and the rights of isolated Indigenous peoples.
The Shuar Arutam People Continue Their Resistance Against Mining
The movement against mining in Ecuador is gaining momentum
This is an important moment for celebration. It is monumental that the PSHA ratified its resistance to mining activity in its territory because the community has faced divide-and-conquer strategies from the mining industry and the Ecuadorian government.
Latin American Delegation to Implicate Canadian Corporations at the United Nations
New reports uncover widespread abuse by Canadian companies and urges immediate intervention through the Universal Periodic Review process
Despite Canada’s “climate forward” public image, it acts as a safe haven for extractive industries and companies operating in Latin America, including regions of climatic significance such as the Amazon.
Ecuadorians Reject Oil Drilling in the Amazon, Ending Operations in a Protected Area
Associated Press | “Ecuadorians have come together for this cause to provide a life opportunity for our Indigenous brothers and sisters and also to show the entire world, amidst these challenging times of climate change, that we stand in support of the rainforest.”
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Victory for Yasuní and the Amazon! Ecuadorians Choose a Future Without Fossil Fuels
“Ecuadorians have sent a definitive message to the world: the Amazon, Indigenous rights, biodiversity, and our climate are more important than oil."
Escalating Violence in Ecuador Threatens Human Rights Defenders and Democracy
Assassination of Fernando Villavicencio marks a new crisis point
“For human rights defenders and Indigenous organizations, the increase in violence implies several risks, as illegal and formal capitals tend to articulate and share interests against those who defend rights and territories."
Amazon’s Yasuní Referendum: A “Yes” for Life and a Future Without Fossil Fuels
"As Ecuadorians, we have the historic opportunity to redefine Yasuní as a territory of life and give a clear transforming mandate to governments and the world."
Amazon Nations Failed to Protect the Rainforest and Our Collective Future
While ambitious efforts to strengthen Pan-Amazonian collaboration are positive, and the summit’s final text contains a series of good intentions, Amazon Watch considers that the document falls short in advancing critical protections for the rainforest and human rights.
Brazil Gold Mine Puts Indigenous Territory “At Risk,” Advocates Say
Al Jazeera | “The guaranteed right to our territory is at risk,” Lorena Curuaia, a leader of the Curuaia Indigenous people, told Al Jazeera. “We could lose territories that we have lived in for thousands of years.”
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.
Amazonian and Coastal Communities Target Potential Petroperú Financier Italian Agency SACE
In the face of mounting environmental and rights concerns, the Peruvian Federation of the Achuar Nationality, the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation, and the Cabo Blanco Fishing Association are targeting the potential financial investment by the Italian export credit agency in Petroperú.
Munduruku Village of Sawré Muybu in the Brazilian Amazon Installs Solar Power
“We are showing the Brazilian government and companies that we don’t need a dam to generate energy. We are showing the Brazilian government and companies that we are capable of anything.”
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.
The Achuar and Wampis Peoples of the Peruvian Amazon Continue Their Fight Against Oil Exploration in Block 64
Watch this video update from David Peas, the Vice President of the National Federation of the Achuar of Peru, as he asks for continued support to keep Petroperú out of Block 64
David Peas, the Vice President of the National Federation of the Achuar of Peru, just sent us this personal message of gratitude and continued resistance.
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.”
Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Allows Controversial Soybean Railway to Advance
The railway is regarded as one of the most anti-environmental projects being considered by Lula de Silva's government and has even been dubbed the "new Belo Monte."
Javari Valley Communities Remain Under Threat a Year After Dom and Bruno's Murders
"Our focus must not be limited to the direct perpetrators of crimes, but also extend to those endorsing predatory activities in the Javari Valley."
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.
Regressive and Destructive Indigenous Land Bill Advances in Brazil, Despite Protests
"The lawmakers who voted today in favor of this project will go down in history as responsible for approving a bill that explicitly attacks the lives of Indigenous peoples in Brazil."
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.
Brazil's Congress Deals Major Blow to Indigenous Rights and Environmental Governance
"Brazil's presidency may have changed, but a deeply-rooted anti-environmental and anti-Indigenous sentiment persists in Congress."
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.
Second Chance for Lula as Controversial Amazon Dam Goes Up for Renewal
Mongabay | “What would be great is if that dam was gone. But there is another plan that would allow the waters to reach the lowland breeding grounds and that is a solution that we could live with.”
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.
