Justice and Human Rights Peru Project #13020

Justice After 40 years of Oil Contamination!

by Alianza Arkana

Justice After 40 years of Oil Contamination!

Project Report | Dec 5, 2013
Thank you for your support!

By Stefan Kistler | Environmental Justice Coordinator

"Disappearing" of lake Shanshococha by Pluspetrol

We thank you for your support of the people of the Pastaza River! After the declaration of an environmental emergency in March, the Peruvian government has now fined the polluting oil company, Pluspetrol Norte, over $7 million for irreparable environmental damage in the area thanks to photographic evidence taken by Alianza Arkana and FEDIQUEP.

However, this fine is an administrative fee that is paid to the State, and could never be seen by the community. Indigneous leaders are frustrated with the lack of initiative by the State regarding the Environemental Emergency,as their people continue without access to clean water, but are working hard to demand accountability and action from the government.

Specifically, your donations have made the following possible:

Mobility of the indigenous leaders, to be more present in their communities (which lay at long distances away) and inform about the political struggle they lead. This helps to counteract the strategies of oil companies, who often try to bribe villagers and divide and rule in villages to get their support.

Facilitated travels for indigenous leaders to attend important political and advocacy meetings with state authorities in cities far away from their traditional territories, pressing forward with their essential demands for social and environmental justice, keeping the pressure up on the state to implement the promises they made.

Small monthly support to leaders´ families made it possible for the president and vice president of Fediquep to keep doing what they are doing, politically demanding justice for their people, in continuous meetings and travels to meet with state, while at the same time providing for their families.

Facilitated the participation of indigenous leader Apu Aurelio Chino in a regional summit in Iquitos to defend water as a human right, where he was able to spread the experience of his people, build alliances, and warn others from letting extractive industries go ahead on their territories, leaving little behind but environmental devastation.

Thank you for your support!

And please read the latest article by Alianza Arkana on Pluspetrol's disingenuous media campaign targeted at manipulating public opinion in their favor!

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