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Fall 2012
Dear Friends,
We have much to celebrate this fall. Just in the past month, both Talisman Energy and ConocoPhillips have announced they are pulling out of indigenous peoples' territories in the Peruvian Amazon. The Inter-American Court on Human Rights has handed down a historic decision upholding indigenous peoples' right to have a say about oil projects on their land, and the US Supreme court has rejected Chevron's appeal in the $19 billion Ecuador environmental case.
But our work is far from over. As I write this, Amazon Watch is operating around the clock to bring the global spotlight on the occupation of Brazil's Belo Monte dam by an indigenous-fisherfolk alliance, now in its third day.
This month also marks Amazon Watch's birthday! We invite you to celebrate with us at our annual fundraising luncheon on October 15th and through a series of inspiring events in the Bay Area and online via our new live stream. Please join us and renew your commitment to protecting the Amazon.
For the Earth and Future Generations,
Atossa Soltani
Executive Director
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Join us in San Francisco on Monday, October 15th as we celebrate 15 years of achievements for the people and the rainforests of the Amazon. This year will be special as we honor Kichwa leaders from the Sarayaku community in Ecuador, who recently made news headlines around the world when they won a groundbreaking case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, scoring a major victory for indigenous self-determination in the face of industrial development threats. Can't be there in person? Join us LIVE online at causes.com/amazonwatchlive.
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Talisman Energy announced its decision to cease oil exploration activities in the Peruvian Amazon and to exit the country. Amazon Watch has been supporting the Achuar since 2004, when Talisman began exploratory operations in the heart of their territory in an extremely biodiverse region of the Amazon rainforest. In recent years, Talisman has come under increased pressure by human rights groups and shareholders for operating without Achuar consent. Talisman is the fifth oil company to withdraw from controversial Block 64. Watch this video of Achuar (FENAP) President Peas Peas Ayui reacting to the news.
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Some 120 indigenous demonstrators from the Xipaia, Kuruaia, Parakanã, Arara, Juruna and Assurini peoples have united with a group of fishermen and are maintaining a steadfast 24-day occupation of the Belo Monte dam's main work camp in the Brazilian Amazon in protest of the Norte Energia dam-building consortium's plan to definitively dam the Xingu River. The renewed occupation of the project's earthen cofferdams paralyzed construction works, while indigenous protestors seized the keys of trucks and tractors forcing workers to leave the strategic Pimental work camp on foot.
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Yesterday the US Supreme Court rejected Chevron's latest attempt to block global enforcement of the historic $19 billion environmental judgment from Ecuador's courts, removing another hurdle for rainforest indigenous groups as they continue their efforts to seize billions of dollars of Chevron assets around the world. Stay tuned and join the campaign to hold Chevron accountable – the Ecuadorians have filed lawsuits in Canada and Brazil seeking seizure of Chevron's assets and similar actions in other nations are expected soon.
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Amazon Watch is honored and excited to invite you to a series of events featuring our indigenous allies and leaders from the Kichwa community of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon who will be in the Bay Area from October 15th to 21st to share news about their major legal victory for indigenous self-determination. Please join us in welcoming: Tupac Amaru Viteri, Sarayaku Vice President; Marlon Santi, former CONAIE President; and Nina Sicha Gualinga, Sarayaku youth leader.
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