Truth Commission on Amazon massacre established

This is a sad story on what happens when big oil companies come into conflict with Peru’s Amazonian indigenous people...
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/5d6d043df334.jpg[/atsimg]
It all started with Hunt oil opening trails in preparation of seismic exploration within the local indigenous reserve, without the tribes permission....

Iviche, a traditional Harakmbut leader, said the oil project threatens the forests and waters of the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, established in 2002 for the use of local Harakmbut, Yine and Matsigenka communities. “The project will destroy the forest and affect animals we use for food. Instead of going to the supermarket for food or medicine, we go to the forest. We depend on it for our sustenance.”

On June 5th a group of Natives set up a road block to stop the oil companies further egress onto their lands... The National Police were called in...

There are still conflicting accounts of the violence that ensued when National Police troops broke up an indigenous road blockade at Devil’s Curve in Bagua district of Peru’s Amazonas region June 5. The official claim of 34 deaths including only nine Natives is in sharp contrast to as many as 40 deaths among indigenous rainforest inhabitants reported by AIDESEP

Now you would think a government would step in top protect their own people... not so... desperate for oil revenues the government has time and again ruled against her native population in favor of these big oil companies...

With charges stalled against the commanding generals at Bagua, 41 AIDESEP leaders are facing charges related to the incident. Eight have been detained – and one, Santiago Manuin, remains in the hospital, gravely wounded. Three, including AIDESEP president Alberto Pizango, are in exile in Nicaragua. The remainder are in hiding. AIDESEP said any violence by its followers was in self-defense, and wants all charges dropped

Despite the high price paid at Bagua, tribal leaders do have a glimmer of hope. thanks to international pressure talks have finally began to settle the issue...

“For the first time in our history as Peruvian indigenous peoples, we have been recognized by the government since the events of June 5. The government has always maintained that the Amazon is vacant, that there is nobody there – only forest, water and natural resources. Since June, we have been recognized at a national and international level, and we are exercising our rights.”

Full story at Indian Country Today

Here's a related story
Seems this oil company had decided to try anything to get at that oil!
Living in Peru

...and the exploitation continues.

You'd think after all these centuries we'd learn a better way. Why can't Hunt work/negotiate with the people of the Amazon basin? Instead the attitude of Hunt seems to be "offer the savages a few beads and baubles, and they'll sell themselves out...". Fortunately, there seems to be some organizations willing to fight for the rights of the natives.

Well done, OP.

reply to post by seagull


Sometimes righteous indignation and spreading stories like this are the only weapons we, the little guys, have against corporate greed and corrupt governments.... thanks for the extra points

As there was a complaint about ATS Too American!!!
I will bump my own post as a reminder that is not always the case