Last week, the Quito-based headquarters of the Pachamama Foundation was raided and closed down by police agents. The Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment has signed a resolution to dissolve the organization.
The government’s action directly follows a series of indigenous protests last week denouncing Ecuador’s plans to open up some 2.6 million hectares of rainforest to new oil drilling. The government resolution falsely accuses the Pachamama Foundation of inciting violence during a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons; however, no members of the organization were involved.
For 16 years, the work of Pachamama Foundation has been instrumental in defending indigenous rights. They played a fundamental role establishing the Rights of Nature in Ecuador’s constitution. The Foundation also works to build an alternative and sustainable vision for Ecuador’s development both in the Amazon and throughout the country.
Today, on International Human Rights Day, along with over 100 organizations, we have pledged our support by signing a letter of solidarity. We need an outcry of international support from people around the world calling for the immediate reversal of what we consider an illegal act to repress civil liberties. Please take a moment to sign this petiton, let’s show our solidarity with Pachamama Foundation.
In solidarity,
Juan
PS. You can also show solidarity with Pachamama Foundation on Facebook! And find more ways to support here.