rap carbon trading

This flawed system has failed to cut emissions. It's time to tackle the broader economic system that led to the climate crisis.

• Oscar Reyes
• guardian.co.uk , Sunday 1 February 2009 17.30 GMT

Every time the carbon market fails to reduce emissions, the politicians and businesses who promote the market as the solution to the climate crisis reach for their Samuel Beckett: "Try again, fail again, fail better."
With the price of carbon collapsing, and even the head of EDF Energy in the UK, Vicente de rivas , warning of a speculative "carbon bubble", the EU continues to promote the expansion of carbon markets globally – with its proposal to create an OECD-wide carbon market by 2015, which it hopes to expand to major industrialising economies by 2020.

(see rest of article)

PERU: BRITISH OIL COMPANY IN AMAZON 'DOUBLE TROUBLE'

22,January 2009
An Anglo-French oil company has run into trouble in the remote Amazon jungle following an OPEC ruling and concerns about uncontacted tribes in one of the regions it is working.
Just days after the company, Perenco, announced its plans to invade uncontacted tribes' territory in Peru, the government in neighbouring Ecuador suspended the company's activities to comply with new OPEC cuts.
Perenco's work in Peru, believed to be the biggest oil discovery in the country for 30 years, has attracted fierce criticism from local indigenous organizations and even an appeal to Latin America's top human rights body on the grounds that it violates the rights and threatens the lives of uncontacted tribes who live there.
Perenco claims the tribes don't exist and plans to invest more money – $350 million – than any other company in Peru this year.
Perenco's work in Ecuador was suspended in response to cuts by OPEC in an attempt to stabilize international prices for crude oil. The company's activities in the country are reported to have attracted thousands of protesters – leading to blockades of a Perenco installation and an airport, and violent conflict involving the firing of rubber bullets and tear gas which left at least two people injured.
Survival's director, Stephen Corry, said today, ‘OPEC and uncontacted tribes make an unlikely pair, but whoever or whatever the cause these are difficult times for Perenco. They are suspended in Ecuador, and there are calls for the suspension of their work in Peru too. The company must recognise that sending hundreds of workers into the territory of isolated Indians in Peru is a foolhardy thing to do.'

RED AMBIENTAL UNDER FEROCIOUS ATTACK FOR DEFENDING NATURE RESERVE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND NGOs OUTRAGED AT THE REMOVAL OF RIGHTS FROM UNFCCC DECISION ON REDD

We, the undersigned representatives of indigenous peoples, local communities and non-governmental organizations monitoring the progress of negotiations in Poznan are outraged that the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand opposed the inclusion of recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in a decision on REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) drafted today by government delegates at the UN Climate Conference.
...>>read more

Peru aims for zero deforestation

The Peruvian government says it can reach zero deforestation in just 10 years with the help of funds from Western governments.

That was the BBC's title in news sent from Europe during the visit made by Peru´s Environment Minister. Before giving too much credence to the Minister's words we need to know something of his history. Antonio Brack has been, and continues to be, a consultant to various mining companies who continue to poison lands on the coastal and mountain areas. The programmes he used to produce for national TV only highlighted the good news and never denounced the deforestation occurring through bad government policy and corruption. Since he has been made Minister the illegal loggers managed to move and export 20,000 cedar logs valued abroad at US$40,000. He never denounced the robbery. He never denounced the illegal forestry concessions given by the government when he was in a position to influence that policy. Last year in Holland at the CITES meeting Peru was criticized for allowing logging of cedar wood, and the illegality continues to date. And since being Minister he hasn't said a word about the illegal extraction of timber from the River Mazan basin from which thousands of trees are felled every week of the year.

His record on dealing with the indigenous population is infamous. He has produced more tension and distance between government and indigenous groups than ever before and recently was quoted in Holland as saying that the groups who oppose the petrol companies are “only a minority”. As I write the indigenous Quitchuas have closed the Curaray River and have detained two large barges belonging to REPSOL and five fast boats belonging to Transtur and used to transport REPSOL personnel. At the same time the Matses Indians on the Brazilian border, Yavari River , have expelled the representative of the Pacific petrol company stating that they will never accept a petrol company in their territory. AIDESEP, the national native organization, have publicly rejected Brack´s statement. The Minister is very badly informed.

His plan for asking for funding from foreign government is doomed to failure if the funding goes to central or regional governments. History shows that these funds simply fill the pockets of those who exploit an already corrupt system. Funding has to be given directly to the native and rural communities, prior to their having training and logistic help.

Brazilian Government's plan for climate changes is poor

CLIC HEAR- Document does not rise to the challenges

CARBON TRADING

The following short clips critiquing carbon trading, offsetting and the Clean Development Mechanism:

Kevin Smith, Carbon Trade Watch talking on Carbon Trading and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (3m 53s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boH1st9Eu3w

Kevin Smith, Carbon Trade Watch talking on the Clean Development Mechanism (4m 52s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xG8Hpnagg0

Kevin Smith, Carbon Trade Watch talking on the Voluntary Offsets market (2m 58s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk9Ev91jjQ8

ENVIRONMENTALISTS SUPPORT THE MASSIVE GATHERING OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY RESISTANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN COLOMBIA

Gert Stenssess - Juana Camacho

We are fighting against those that deceive us with a promise of development trying to trick us as the European invaders did with little mirrors, the sword and the cross. Back then, they said they had come to save our souls, today they say they come to free us from poverty. But the spirit of our ancestors did not need their deceitful prayers as we do not need their promises for development nor their so called “investments” because they only deepen our economic dependency, their ecological debt, the plunder and the unfair economic and ecological exchange.
Today the new offensive colonialism of international capital and their mafia partners at the national level –there is no way we can call them business men- is threatening over their territories and cultures.
In Colombia, particularly in the ancestral territories of ethnic peoples, the government and its institutions allow, favor and support incursions of large Transnational that control minerals, water, infrastructure and agriculture land around the world. These institutions are controlled in a big portion by the front men of these corporations or their national partners
This pillage model is supported by the selective assassination and massacres of indigenous peoples, afro descendents and campesino people as well as the massive displacement of 4 million people that results from these practices.  This model transforms our country in the second one that has most internal displaced people, after Sudan (Human Rights Watch, 2007). Murdering, displacing and derooting are constants in the territories that are of interest to transnational corporation, that articulate commercial operations with armed legal and illegal structures.
Confronting this permanent and undeniable aggression, the indigenous peoples, campesino communities and afro descendent communities of the south west area of Colombia , organized the BIG GATHERING OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY- RESISTANCE demanding respect, protection and defense of their right to land and culture.

Colombian Environmentalists will stand with our brothers and sisters from Cauca .

There has been 516 years of resistance to the civilization and predator model.

Enough is enough! Another world is possible and we are working for it!

The struggles of the indigenous communities and poor farmers of Peru lead to the repeal of Legislative Decrees 1015 and 1073

This past August 22, the Peruvian Congress repealed Legislative Decrees 1015 and 1073, which was a huge victory for indigenous communities and farmers. After 14 days of street protest, the victory, which favors the indigenous autonomy and integrity, was won by a vote of 69 to 30. This marks the defeat of two decrees which were necessary for implementation of the Peru-US FTA.
In spite of tensions generated due to the state of emergency which the government declared, the mobilizations were carried out to express strong rejection of these and other laws which fail to recognize the need for the communities to be consulted about laws which directly affect them, as stipulated by the National Constitution and other international agreements which Peru has signed.
Decree 1015, also known as “Law of the Jungle” is an implementing measure for the Peru- US FTA. Decree 1073 is a modification of decree 1015, which was introduced to overrule the finding of unconstitutionality which was presented by the human rights procurator, and was upheld by the Constitutional Court.
The substance of these decrees violates the right to self determination of 1200 indigenous and campesinos, to make decisions regarding their own development. It also threatens provisions guaranteed under convention 169 of the ILO and the interests and needs of 64 ethnic groups. Additionally, it would lead to the deterioration of natural resources, and biodiversity in plants and fauna which are native to the Amazon in this country. The second decree opens the door to multinationals for land concessions and exploitation, failing to recognize the rights of the indigenous communities. For these reasons, the social movements in all of the countries of Latin America are in solidarity with this struggle of the communities in Peru.

BBC GIVES SUMMARY OF LATEST SITUATION OVER NEW LAWS AND NATIVE REBELLION...read the link below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/7578040.stm

FROM IQUITOS

From David Hewson" davehewson@yahoo.com in Iquitos
As most of you know I have been living in Peru for over a year now.  I have been interacting with the native communities in the Amazon basin along with other international environmental organizations.  I am preparing for a traveling exhibit in the states in 2009 starting in Jan.  The main subjects I am painting are the myths and legends of the jungle centered around the plant healing Shamanism.  I am also doing a documentary on the destruction of the rain forest by the impacts of the multinational oil, mining and lumber companies.
    About 7-8 months ago the United States Government signed a free trade agreement with the Peruvian government to give access to their natural resources.  Alan Garcia, the Peruvian president, had to offer guarantees to the American investors.  So, in the last 6 months Garica has changed 38 crucial laws that take away land given to the indegenous, reduces the size of land given to the indigenous,  and allows companies to go into protected areas  to deplete resources and contaminate pristine jungle.  The Peruvian congress negated Garcia's demands and Garcia made a legislative declaration to override congress.  He had to change the laws quickly, because the trade agreement with the US government would not be valid unless these laws were changed.
    12,000 indigenous are protesting in the region I live in and this is the first, in the history of Peru , nationally organized native uprisings with 65 native communities.
      This is not getting a lot coverage here or internationally, because if it did more people would be protesting, and it would expose the international agreements that are good for capitalism but totally screw the natives and environment.  I have been following this for months; filming, interviewing, going into these areas.  Below is one of the few articles that came out, another was on the BBC.  The contamination of the oil industry is out of hand now and there are 15 new oil contracts that encompass 98% of the territory just this year.  Please be discerning with what you hear on the news in the future, because many lives are at stake including my own.
               Take good care
              David "Slocum" Hewson

Peru declares emergency in confrontation with natives
LIMA Petroleumworld.com, Aug 19, 2008

Peru's government declared a state of emergency Monday in areas where indigenous groups opposed to development in the Amazon basin have occupied oil installations and a hydroeletric plant for ten days.
 The decision was taken because "violent acts in certain Amazon localities put security at risk," according to an official decree.
 The state of emergency, which lasts 30 days, covers the eastern provinces of Bagua, Utcubamba and Datem del Maranon and the southern district of Echarate.
  On Sunday, clashes between 800 demonstrators and police in Bagua left at least four people injured.
  Members of the indigenous community have occupied the hydrolectric plant in Bagua and disrupted gas production in the southern Cusco region as part of their protest against government laws opening up the Amazon basin to development.
 Negotiations with 65 indigenous groups taking part in the protest broke down earlier after the government refused to revoke the laws, which the natives say trample their territorial rights in favor of mining, forestry and oil companies.

The natives say the industrial plans will force them to migrate from their tribal land.
In all, about 12,000 indigenous people are taking part in the nationwide protest against development programs in the Amazon basin, where economists estimate 3.5 billion dollars worth of timber and forestry products are locked in a 92,000-square-kilometer (35,500-square-mile) region -- the size of Taiwan .
  Story from AFP

PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT MOVES TOWARDS POLICY OF GENOCIDE IN THE AMAZON

Faced with an avalanche of new laws and Decrees published in the past year by the government of Alan Garcia the national organization of Peruvian native peoples (AIDESEP) had no alternative but to take a series of measures to force the government to desist from the series of attacks against the basic rights of the indigenous population. The government response, far from seeking to answer the legitimate rights of the native people has been to militarize the areas and to declare a sate of emergency, which, under recent laws passed by this government, permits the use of extreme measures by police or military with total impunity for the latter. The situation is extremely delicate. The government shows no signs of understanding the real level of resentment and the firm position that the native communities have taken. All measures must be taken to avoid physical violence.
We would ask you to send the following text in Spanish to some of the Government ministers or Congress representatives. The text says ”As a member of the international community interested in ensuring equal rights for peoples of every race I would ask your government to take every peaceful measure to solve the present crisis in the Peruvian Amazon and also ask that there be full respect for the constitutional and human rights of the native population.” Signed…..
“Como miembro de la comunidad internacional con preocupación en asegurar derechos iguales para todo pueblo y raza pido a su Gobierno tomar toda medida pacifica para resolver la crisis actual en la amazonia y que haya pleno respeto por los derechos humanos y constitucionales de la población indígena.”

Name , surname and country of origin.

Please send the text to :

And Ministro del Interior : Economista Luis Alva Castro
email : ministro@mininter.gob.pe

COMMANDERS OF SPECIAL FORCES “DINOES” ABUSE DETAINESS IN ANDOAS, IN PERUVIAN JUNGLE

  Brother Paul's journey to Andoas, the petrol region near the Ecuatorian border, has confirmed the serious doubts about the official police version as to what happened in Andoas. This “official” version had been given out by two TV channels who had accompanied the Special Forces on their trip. The two channels (Canal N and America TV) are owned by a majority of mining interests.
The official reason for the intervention was to clear the airport of native protesters. José Noa, the lay missionary in charge of the Andoas catholic parish had gone to the scene with his video camera to witness the events. Once the special police forces enter the Commander confiscates his camera but permits him to stay with the police line. On beginning the activity to clear the scene, using tear gas, the Commander hands José over to a second officer. As the action heats up the second officer passes him on to a third but without explaining that he is the representative of the Church on the scene. Within minutes José is beaten by the policeman and reduced to the ground where he is then handcuffed to a 16 year old is also arrested. Now begins a 3-day ordeal that includes beatings and the witnessing of the torture of other detainees. The Pluspetrol company lend the police two metal containers that are used as prison cells for those who had been detained in previous days and during the clearing of the airport.
The most cynical action was the “show” prepared for the invited cameras which the Commander of the DINOES organized. The scene was set on a paved area of the Pluspetrol property that was supposed to resemble the airport. It wasn't the airport, it was the Pluspetrol property. The arms laid out on the ground were not the property of the detainees. They were part of the collection of machetes and hunting guns that the police had confiscated earlier from the homes in Andoas. José Noa is one of the detainees who are forced, with threats, to pick up a gun and pose before the cameras. José had never before held a shotgun. The “show” is later broadcast on national television as part of the celebration of another “success” for the DINOES.
Pluspetrol personnel observed the scene and had permitted the use of their property and installations to foment the abuse and lies. A practice very different to the official company policy published in their web page. In reality, in Andoas and the village of 12 de Octubre in the Tigre River , Pluspetrol have been accomplices to torture and abuse.

MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN AND MANY ABUSES CONTINUE

These are two of the conclusions that result from the 8 day visit that Brother Paul, President of the RAL, made t the area of conflict between the native population and the DINOES special police force.
Those conflicts began days before the operation that was ordered in order to "clear" the private Andoas airport, property of Pluspetrol. In the hours that followed a policeman was mortally wounded while entering the village itself, invading homes and community property. The official version - that the policemen died in an "ambush" in the airport - is denied by multiple witnesses and also by the bullet holes that he produced in the homes of several natives before being shot by a airgun. The persecution and intimidation of the population that live close to the petrol exploration activities continue on a daily basis and evidence a new strategy of unprecedented  cooperation between the Pluspetrol company and the special police force who receive accommodation and all logistical suport from the petrol company. In the next few days we will be presenting the evidence.

PLUSPETROL MOBILISE MORE POLICE TO ANDOAS

We have been informed that the Pluspetrol compnay flew more police to Andoas, and that the police were sent in civil dress . We also know that they included intelligence agents. There are continual reports of intimidation and threats against certain members of the native population if they sepak out against the company. The native community, 12 de Octubre, have had their electricity supply and medical support cut off since they asked for the police to retire from the village. Both services depend on the Pluspetrol company´s cooperation. For almost a week Brother Paul, President of the RAL, has been trying to secure seats on the daily flights that the company makes to Andoas - two seats: one for himself and the other for Teddy Guerra, son of one of the jailed native leaders. On Saturday after having been told that there would be space the two would-be passengers arrived at the airport to discover that neither was on the list. There was a promise that for Monday both would fly. On Sunday evening, 20th April, the company confirmed that there is only one seat, for Brother Paul, but no space for Teddy. Given the fact that the plane on Saturday flew with a good number of empty seats we can only presume that there are company interests that are involved here.

IS PLUSPETROL TAKING CONTROL OF THE RIVERS?

The latest disturbing reports we are receiving from the villages of Andoas and 12 de Octubre speak of the natives having difficulties of free movement in the Pastaza river due to the presence of two fast boats, property of the petrol company “Pluspetrol, equipped with police, who are not permitting local boats to move towards the village of Andoas where the recent disturbances occurred (described below). Another phone call from the Quitchua village of 12 de Octubre this morning tells us that the Pluspetrol company have cut off electricity supplies to the village and are not attending the sick from the village.
Brother Paul McAuley, President of the Loretana Environmental Netwrok (RAL) will be flying to the spot tomorrow (Saturday 19 th ) on a flight provided by the company and hopes to be able to clarify what is happening.

PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT STILL HAS 8 NATIVES JAILED WHILST 3 NATIVES ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

More than three weeks have past since a violent action on the part of the DINOES special police force from Liam cleared a peaceful occupation of the Andoas airport. The Achuar and Quichua Indians had invaded the space – which is part of their territory – after the Pluspetrol company had failed to answer their demands for fairer conditions for native workers contracted by the company or sub-contractors.
The special police force used tear gas and then chased the villages to their homes where they entered with force. No permission had been given to enter the homes. The native community claims that the police entered firing live shots and their homes still have the bullet holes in walls and artifacts. A report we received yesterday said that the representatives of Pluspetrol in Andoas were trying to persuade the villagers to hand over the damaged items so that they can be replaced by new ones. Their leaders believe that the petrol company wished to hide all vestiges of the violent police action before the arrival of an independent commission that will be leaving Iquitos this Saturday.
The leaders still claim that three of the natives have disappeared since the first day of the violent police action. Much media attention in Lima has been given to the policeman who died while entering the homes of the natives but no one mentions these three possible native casualities.

A LAWLESS STATE

The present Peruvian Government moved one step closer to being recognized worldwide as a State that manipulates its judicial authorities to act without consideration to the legal process when it favors the interests of international investors. It is 5.00pm in the afternoon of Friday 4 th of April. This morning a lady judge ordered the immediate liberation of the 15 natives after two “Habeas Corpus” were presented. With this order the lawyers went to the Palace of Justice waiting for the Judge from the Datem Province to sign the release order. And this Judge who had already demonstrated little objective judgement in the case has refused to sign the release. The lawyers and Church representatives present were dumbfounded and indignant. The general public will be informed in the next hours.

Please read the suggested protest text and peg it to the e mails indicated. A small effort t on the part of housands will speed the release of these natives.

NATIVE PRISONERS BEING TORTURED

With even greater indignation we have received confirmation that the group of natives put in prison five days ago as a result of a process of arrest and detention that is full of irregularities, are now victims of physical and psychological torture on the part of certain bad policeman in the jail. This has been confirmed by the Judge who went to the jail to carry out an inspection and this has been confirmed by the medical doctor.
All the more justification for DEMANDING THE IMMEDIATE CONDITIONAL RLEASE OF THESE NATIVES whilst a full investigation should begin in situ in the village where the supposed offenses occurred. In the jail the natives have no physical or psychological security. Their continued detention in these conditions offends all normal codes of behavior of modern democracies.
Please send the following sentences of protest to the following addresses:

“Exigimos la inmediata liberación de los indígenas encarcelados por el caso de los disturbios en Andoas. Es ofensiva que haya informe oficial de tortura en la cárcel de Guayabamba, Iquitos. La seguridad física y psicológica de estas personas requiere su inmediata liberación. Confiamos en el Estado Peruano y el Gobierno Regional de Loreto asegurar todas las garantías que deben ofrecer un Estado democrático.”

Presidencia de la República del Perú: http://www.presiden cia.gob.pe/ cartas_president e.asp
Ministerio del Interior, Luis Alva Castro: ministro@mininter. gob.pe
Gobierno Regional de Loreto: Informatica@ regionloreto. gob.pe

THE STRUGGLE FOR CONDITIONAL RELEASE OF NATIVE PRISONERS CONTINUES

In the face of the obvious physical and psychological abuses being carried out in the Guayabamba prison against the native prisoners we are doing all we can to secure the conditional release of the last 8 prisoners form the Achuar and Quitchua tribes.
As we collect information from those who have been released with whom we had no previous contact,, we learn more and more about all the irregularities and abuses committed in the last 20 days.

SOS ARRESTED INDIANS IN PERUVIAN AMAZON!

iquitos, 28 mars 2008,

LIST OF THE KICHWA AND ACHUAR INDIANS ILLEGALLY ARRESTED IN THE POLICE STATIONS OF IQUITOS AND NAUTA, PERUVIAN AMAZON, AFTER THE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE OIL COMPANY PLUSPETROL ON THE 20 MARS 2008. (HIGHLIGHTED  YELLOW THE UNDER AGED)
The arrested are held at the Police Stations of Alcides Vigo Hurtado ( Iquitos , Loreto , Peru ) and Jose Angel Penza Ventocilla ( Iquitos , Loreto Perú)  and Nauta Police Station (Nauta, Loreto , Peru ).The authorities (fiscal, policemen) refuse to give any information to relatives, journalists and general citizens.
THE ARRESTED HAVE BEEN ARBITRARILY ACCUSED OF TERRORISM, KIDNAPPING, AND ILLEGAL ARM TENANCY . According to relatives and various Loretan citizens, the oil company Pluspetrol intends to give an  exemplary punishment on these prisoners, to prevent future rebellions of  local population against its environmental and work abuses.

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO THE 52 ACHUAR AND KICHWA INDIANS  ILLEGALLY ARRESTED IN IQUITOS AND NAUTA, PERUVIAN AMAZON.

Iquitos, 26 Mars 2008,
Pluspetrol, an oil company operating in the Corrientes , Tigre , Pastaza and Macusari Rivers, Peruvian Amazon, hires its workforce among the nearby Kichwa and Achuar communities. The Indians of Nueva Andoas, Pluspetrol central camp in the region, called the company managers in different occasions to discuss wages and contract problems. Meeting with no response, they started protests on past 20 mars.
The Peruvian Interior Ministry reacted sending in hundreds of National Policemen (DINOES) from Lima to repress the demonstrations. According to various witnesses, “200 to 300 policemen arrived by helicopter and sprayed pepper gas over the people.  The cost of such an operation could only be financed by Pluspetrol itself”.  3 Indians and a DIONES policeman died in the crossfire.  52 Indians were arrested, accused of terrorism, and were sent to the Loretan towns of Iquitos and Nauta, where they remain to date.
The arrested have been divided in different police stations, without informing their relatives of their exact placement. 17 of them can only speak Kichwa and Achuar and have no translators at the moment. There are 2 wounded by bullet and an under age. The list of arrested has not yet been published by the authorities.
We also thank you for your protest letters to the Peruvian authorities:

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL HUMAN RIGHTS,  INDIGENOUS RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND ALTERNATIVE MEDIA.

LATEST PROTEST IN IQUITOS DEMANDING IMMEDATE RELEASE OF ALL INDIGENOUS PRISONERS

At nine o'clock this morning, Friday 31st March, about 500 members of the civil society marched peacefully together with wives, sons and relatives of the natives unjustly detained and imprisoned. The death of a policeman occurred in the operation in which Special Forces cleared a peaceful protest in Andoas and then chased the population into their homes. According to the natives the policeman was killed in the confusion caused by the invasion into their homes, with tear gas and bullets flying. Yesterday a total of 15 natives, Achuar and Quichuas, were taken to the jail in Iquitos . They have not had the right to family visits. All are held in a single cell.

At the end of the protest a delegation was able to have an interview with the President of the Court. Each of the delegates, including a son of one of the natives, two native leaders, trade union leaders and a lawyer and other groups representative of the civil society were able to express their concern.

WE DENOUNCE THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT

For the past week 52 natives from the Quitchua and Achuar tribes have been detained in a totally irregular manner after a violent action on the part of the specialized police sent from Lima on the request of the petrol company “Pluspetrol”. Amidst the confusion that reigned when the police pursued the people to their villages and entered their homes with bullets flying, a policeman died. Since that day 52 people were taken from their homes or the streets. They were denied access to a lawyer during their first manifestation. They were not permitted an interpreter as the law requires. On their arrival in Iquitos they were separated into two groups and put in cells under terrible conditions. A further group were taken to Nauta. Families are not allowed access. They have not been given regular food. Two are with gunshot wounds and have been denied medical attention.

The Vicariates of Iquitos and San José , together with the Red Ambiental and many civil organizations have formed a Defense Committee. Lawyers have volunteered their help but in insufficient numbers.

Tonight we have news from some of the lawyers who believe the Fiscal will be accusing them of “terrorism”. That will mean they will be flown to Lima and tried under special anti-terrorist laws. Its is perfectly clear that the intention, probably under pressure form the petrol companies, is that any protest against the petrol industry will be considered as terrorism, thus repressing the normal human right to express opposition or claim legitimate rights.
We are extremely concerned, and need all the international support we can get.

INDIGNATION

With sadness and indignation we heard the news that the Judge sent 11 of the detainees to the local jail last night, alter having had them in terrible conditions for over a week. The rest of the detainees in Iquitos were freed conditionally, with orders to appear later this week. We still have no news of the legal situation of the other 20 detainees in Nauta.
The group who were released last night were received In the Vicariate of Iquitos where a large group of sympathizers and lawyers expressed their indignation in the face of these repressive measures ordered from Lima .

NATIVES UNDER ATTACK

The native communities in the Tigre and Corrientes Rivers in the Peruvian Amazon are under physical attack alter participating in labour protests over the wages they receive from one of the service companies contracted by Pluspetrol .

On the request of the Pluspetrol company a contingent of special forces were sent to the area earlier last week and ended the protest in a violent manner. They then pursued the population to their village where homes were violated and any agricultural tool or hunting guns were confiscated and later used when the local men were obliged to hold these instruments while being photographed. In the chaos provoked in the village a policeman was killed.

More than 50 people, including 5 minors (aged 12-17) have been locked up in inhuman conditions in Iquitos and Nauta for the past week. They have no right to an interpreter, are forbidden to speak in their native tongues and did not have the right to a lawyer in giving their first testimonies.

The group of lawyers who are offering voluntary assistance in the past days informed us last night that one of the leaders sent a message saying that in the airport area under Pluspetorl's control his villagers have seen dead bodies . This version cannot ne confirmed soince Pluspetrol are not allowing any flights in nor access for the judges and lawyers who wish to verify the situation. Access to the Andoas town is only possible by using the airport which is controlled by the Pluspetrol company and until now they have refused to cooperate enabling a judge and lawyers to visit the village and inspect the homes. The Government and Police forces are clearly giving full backing to the petrol company in their attempts to frighten the villagers and suppress any form of protest.

Yesterday a contingent of 40 special police (DINOES) travelled 7 hours by road in vehicles provided by the Petrol Company to violently enter the village of "12 de Octubre" where hey attempted to enter each home. When the natives protested they were beaten back with tear gas and one bullet was fired. The police then entered a boat that was tethered at the shore and arrested the two villages, owners of the boat, for questioning their violent actions. Those two natives have been flown out to Iquitos. In a telephone conversation this Saturday in the early hours a villager spoke of the people's fear. "We will be coming back at any moment" the police told us. "We don't know what we have done to deserve this".

Please circulate this news and send messages of protest to the Peruvian Embassy in your country.

Please circulate this news and ask people to pressure the Peruvian Embassies in their countries.
Our e mail: redambientalloretana@yahoo.com
Web page: www.redambientalloretana.org