In the face of the multiple threats and extractive policies promoted by the governments of Ecuador and Peru, advocacy for the territorial defense of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters region becomes an urgent matter. From monitoring legislative agendas to developing proactive responses to regulatory changes that undermine the protection of rights, our actions also include creating advocacy campaigns to garner public support for the defense of these rights. All of this aims to build a strong social base and generate legal precedents in favor of the rights of territories and their peoples.
TOGETHER WE PROTECT THE AMAZON
WE PROTECT THE FUTURE
In partnership with CONAIE and various global organizations, we co-led a powerful online and direct action campaign to protect the Yasuní National Park. Under the slogan "Yes to Yasuní, Yes to Life!", we mobilized efforts during the public consultation in August 2023, aimed at halting oil exploitation in Block 43-ITT, reaffirming our commitment to defending life and biodiversity.
This campaign played a key role in mobilizing citizens in Ecuador and internationally, contributing to a historic victory for direct environmental democracy, which highlighted the public’s will to defend ecosystems and collective well-being. It was a milestone for environmental protection and the urgent need for an energy transition.
Despite this resounding victory, the fight for the permanent abandonment of Block 43-ITT continues. From the Amazon Sacred
We will work to demonstrate that it is possible to abandon the fossil economy.
In light of the severe socio-environmental impacts caused by the fossil fuel industry, compounded by the neglect of the Peruvian State, the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance has added to its areas of work one focused on monitoring cases of hydrocarbon-related territorial impacts. In this context, we have supported several members of the Alliance, including AIDESEP, ORPIO, the Chapra Nation, the Shawi Nation, among others, in advocacy processes, including the creation of spaces for dialogue with government bodies to seek attention and remediation of the impacts.
Notable advocacy efforts include those related to the oil spills that occurred in 2022: One at KM 177 of the Norperuvian Pipeline (ONP) in Chapra Nation territory, and one at KM 235 of the ONP, which continues to affect the Sasipahua River, a lifeline for the Shawi community.
This work keeps us in constant vigilance for the protection of Indigenous communities and the Amazon Sacred Headwaters bioregion.
Our Alliance joined the fight alongside AIDESEP and ORPIO to oppose the modification of the Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact (PIACI) Law (Bill 3518-2022/CR). The proposed law sought to transfer functions from the Ministry of Culture to regional governments, granting them the power to revoke or extinguish already established Indigenous reserves. In response to this threat, the Alliance called for international support, achieving a massive global response.
With the backing of organizations such as The Oxygen Project and AVAAZ, over 550,000 signatures were gathered from citizens of more than 200 countries. Additionally, various global actors and influencers were mobilized to raise their voices in defense of PIACI, which contributed to the shelving of the bill. This victory not only protected the rights of the PIACI, but also safeguarded the integrity of Indigenous reserves in Peru.
At ASHA, we remain on guard and ready to act, as the promoters of this dangerous initiative have announced plans to present a modified version to Congress.
In 2023, we joined forces with 16 civil society organizations by entering the Hydrocarbons Working Group of the National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH).
A year later, the Alliance became part of the group's overall coordination, contributing to the launch of "The Shadows of Hydrocarbons: Report III." The report analyzes environmental emergencies and the actions of the Peruvian State between 1997 and 2023, laying the foundation for understanding the impacts of extractive industries, while proposing a reflection on the urgent transition towards resilient energy and economic models.
During the launch, the participation of Wrays Pérez, Vice President of our Alliance, was highlighted. Drawing from his experience on the ground, he shed light on the efforts of Indigenous nations to resist petroleum activities. In particular, he raised concerns about the proposed reactivation of Lot 64, whose operations would directly affect the Wampis, Achuar, and Chapra territories.
The Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance has played an active role in upholding the Escazú Agreement, reinforcing our commitment to defending human and environmental rights defenders in the Amazon. We participated in the open consultation for the creation of the Human Rights Defenders Action Plan on Environmental Issues, providing input to strengthen this instrument. Additionally, at the Defenders Forum in 2022 in Panama, we worked closely with the Regional Working Group, focusing on enhancing advocacy actions.
One of the most significant achievements of this process was the explicit recognition of Indigenous peoples as environmental defenders. This progress represents a victory not only for Amazonian communities, but for all groups and communities defending a healthy environment in Latin America and the Caribbean.
We continue to collaborate with the Regional Working Group on Defenders to promote the development and implementation of action plans in the region, to foster a safe and supportive environment for those who dedicate their lives to defending territories and biodiversity.
Es un joven soñador que camina junto a los rukus y ayllus desde la base comunitaria. Su visión es fortalecer a las nacionalidades indígenas tanto dentro como fuera de sus territorios. Uno de sus sueños era convertirse en atleta; también tenía interés en las matemáticas y la antropología. Dejó su territorio para completar sus estudios superiores en la Universidad San Francisco de Quito y luego regresó a su comunidad para continuar trabajando por los pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas. Su recorrido organizativo comenzó en el cantón Arajuno, donde fue elegido presidente de la organización PAKKIRU. La misión de Luis es salvaguardar la selva para una mejor vida, y su visión es trabajar por el bienestar de las comunidades, manteniéndose fiel a sus ideales
Descendiente de las comunidades Chapra, Wampís y Achuar, es presidenta del Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación Chapra (GTANCH) en Perú. Con 34 años, es socióloga por la Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar y experta en Derechos Humanos, Poblaciones Indígenas y Cooperación Internacional por la Universidad Carlos III de España. Como una de las primeras mujeres líderes indígenas en la Amazonía peruana, también estudia Derecho y Ciencias Políticas en la Universidad Tecnológica del Perú. Es miembro de la junta directiva de la Alianza Cuencas Sagradas Amazónicas, donde trabaja en la defensa contra los impactos ambientales y de salud de la extracción petrolera, oponiéndose al proyecto en el lote petrolero 64.
Líder indígena Murui. Actualmente, es el Presidente de la Asociación Interétnica de Desarrollo de la Selva Peruana (AIDESEP), la organización indígena nacional de la Amazonía peruana. Previamente a ello, completó su mandato como presidente de la Organización Regional de los Pueblos Indígenas del Oriente (ORPIO), que representa a 50,000 personas de 450 comunidades y 12 pueblos indígenas de la Amazonía peruana.
Líder de la Nación Wampis con una larga trayectoria en la defensa de los derechos colectivos de los pueblos indígenas de Perú. Actualmente, es el coordinador territorial de la Alianza Cuencas Sagradas Amazónicas en Perú. Posee el título de «Experto en Pueblos Indígenas, Derechos Humanos, Gobernanza y Cooperación Internacional» otorgado por la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Es el ex Presidente del Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación Wampis y también es el Presidente de la Red Latinoamericana de Territorios y Áreas Conservadas por Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades (TICCA)
Líder Achuar de Ecuador, tiene 30 años de trayectoria en el movimiento indígena. Es Presidente de la Alianza Cuencas Sagradas Amazónicas y miembro de la CONFENIAE. Cofundó la Escuela Viva de la Amazonía (EVA) en 2023 y la Nación Achuar del Ecuador (NAE), donde fue director de comunicación. También es co-fundador de la comunidad Achuar de Sharamentsa y su proyecto de turismo comunitario, además de ser cofundador de la organización binacional Achuar COBNAEP, que une a Ecuador y Perú.
