EarthRights urges the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to honor its commitment to guarantee responsible forest management and respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples and workers. We request that it heed the request of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (AIDESEP), the Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River and its tributaries (FENAMAD), and Survival International to withdraw the certification of Canales Tahuamanu. The company’s operation in the Mashco Piro people’s land disturbs their right to enjoy their territory and puts their physical survival at high risk by violating the no-contact principle.
Despite the precautionary measures granted by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) in 2007, which are in favor of the Mashco Piro people, the Peruvian State has not adopted the necessary measures to guarantee their life and integrity. The State further ignores the denunciations and evidence presented by EarthRights and FENAMAD, which demonstrates the level of risk faced by this large Indigenous group living in isolation. The company’s logging activities threaten the existence of the Mashco Piro people, as has been repeatedly exposed in the Inter-American System and the Universal Human Rights System.
Several United Nations mechanisms have contacted the Peruvian State, the company, and even the FSC, all requesting the suspension of forestry operations until the safety of the Mashco Piro people is guaranteed. We reiterate our commitment to FENAMAD and its leaders, who face criminalization by the State in their struggle to protect and defend the rights of the Mashco Piro people, and denounce logging activities in the territory, which is in clear violation of said rights.
The Forest Stewardship Council must immediately withdraw its certification of Canales Tahuamanu; otherwise, it will continue failing to uphold the rights of the Mashco Piro people.
Media Contact:
Daniela Colaiacovo, EarthRights International
daniela.colaiacovo@earthrights.org
(703) 975-0608
Header image photo credits, Survival International.
