The Inter-American Commission for Human Rights issued an order of precautionary measures in favor of the Sarayacu indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Commission ordered the Ecuadorian government to put in place all the necessary measures to protect the life, safety, and territories of the Sarayacu people.
Since November 2002, the Sarayacu people have faced serious threats as a result of their absolute opposition to oil explorations in their territory by the Argentine oil company CGC and ChevronTexaco. After repeated incursions by oil workers, Sarayacu declared a state of emergency, and community members created “camps for peace and life” along their borders to keep oil workers out.
The Commission ordered the Ecuadorian government to investigate and inform the Commission of all the events that have taken place in the community. On May 8, the Human Rights Commission of the Ecuadorian National Congress visited Sarayacu and recorded testimonies of community members to report back to the Congress. Subsequently, the government announced it will enter into direct discussions and negotiations with all the Amazonian indigenous communities affected by oil development.
