CERD takes action on Urgent Action requested by Awajun and Wampis Peoples

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has activated their Early Warning Measures and Urgent Action procedures in favor of the indigenous Awajun and Wampis Peoples of Peru sending an oficial letter to the Peruvian Government.

CERD is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its State parties.

The Committee includes in its agenda preventive measures which include early-warning aimed at preventing existing situations escalating into conflicts and urgent procedures to respond to problems requiring immediate attention to prevent or limit the scale or number of serious violations of the Convention.

Despite the injustified triumphalist announce made by Dorato Resources and Mining Company Afrodita about their mining activities within indigenous territory, CERD express its deep concerns about the authorization of numerous mining concessions without the prior, consent and informed consent of indigenous people and about the fact that the conflict between indigenous communities and the Governement has escalated at an alarming rate. CERD also requests information about several indigenous Awajun claims.

For more information:

CERD's letter

Legal claims of ODECOFROC (Blog of indigenous Awajun and Wampis organization)