www.survival-international.org/news/4712

Peru Government prepares to investigate 'Amazon's Tiananmen'

Survival International
30 June 2009


 
A wounded protester is beaten by police, Bagua, Peru - copyright Marijke Deleu and Thomas Quirynen


Peru's government is gearing up to investigate the tragic violence in the Amazon last month that left more than 30 people dead, over a hundred injured, and many still missing.

A government committee has ten days to choose the investigating team, which will be led by members of the Catholic Church and is being created after a recommendation by the UN's Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya. Peru's prime minister, Yehude Simon, has said that the team will include representatives from all sectors of society to avoid any accusations of bias.

The preparations are being made after continuing speculation about events in Bagua, northern Peru, where the violence took place. A high-ranking police officer recently suggested that soldiers from the Peruvian army escaped from their barracks to fight on the indigenous protesters' side, but these claims have been dismissed by an Armed Forces spokesman.

Meanwhile, a Peruvian judge has rejected charges brought against Alberto Pizango, the leader of Peru's national Amazon Indian organisation, AIDESEP, and four other AIDESEP leaders. The charges are likely to be re-filed. Pizango has had to flee the country and is currently a political exile in Nicaragua.


How you can help
Please write a letter to President Garcia to express your concern.

--sample letter--

S. E. Alan Garcia
Presidente de la República del Perú
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1
Peru

[Date]

Dear President Garcia,

I am deeply disturbed at the violence in northern Peru that has resulted in so many deaths.

As you know, the indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon have been protesting peacefully for months at the way their lands have been opened up to oil and gas companies without their consent.

Under both Peruvian and international law, the Indian peoples of the Amazon have the right to the ownership of their traditional lands, and development should not take place there without their consent.

Your government, however, has ridden roughshod over this right.

Your demonization of the well-respected Indian organisation AIDESEP and its leader, together with your calling the Indians "barbaric", "ignorant" and "savages", is counter-productive and will surely simply exacerbate an already inflamed situation.

I urge you to suspend the activities of oil and gas companies in the Amazon until your government agrees to peaceful negotiations with the Indians' representatives. Furthermore, there must be an independent and impartial enquiry into the tragic events of June 5th.

Yours sincerely,
[Your full name & address]

--end sample letter--

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copyright Survival International, 2009