There is thought to be approximately 100 un-contacted tribes, many of them in South America and approximately 15 in Peru. As loggers penetrate deeper into the Amazonian forest, the risks for the survival of these people are put more and more at risk. Survival International is calling for more awareness and action to protect these peoples.
Protection of Legal Rights
Under International Law, the tribes have the right to their own land and it is in contravention of International Law that outsiders such as oil and gas prospectors, loggers and ranchers forcibly take their land. It is a form of ethnic cleansing for commercial gain. Governments should be protecting the rights of these people. Brazil has a policy of leaving uncontacted tribes in peace and they have a plane fitted with heat sensors which enables them to monitor their whereabouts and try to keep them undisturbed. However, other governments seem to either be turning a blind eye or doing too little too late.
Over 70% of Peruvian Amazon is Lost
Peruvian law does not restrict oil companies from working in these areas and illegal logging continues. Over 70% of the Peruvian Amazon has been lost to oil and logging and this even extends to reserves set apart for un-contacted tribes. In October 2010, a fourteen year old boy living in the south-eastern Peruvian Amazon was wounded by an arrow thought to have come form a member of an un-contacted tribe and the concern is that they are looking for more territory. Local people are worried, not least because any contact will spread disease to these peoples with devastating consequences.
Sometimes an Entire Tribe may Perish
Indigenous peoples often express their wish to be left alone by displays of aggression or by leaving warnings for interlopers. Several oil workers have reputedly been killed by tribesmen defending their territory. They have good reason to react in this way since contact in the past has led to violence and to diseases for which they have no immunity. According to Survival International - "Following first contact, it is common for more than 50% of a tribe to die. Sometimes all of them perish".
Contracts for Oil and Gas Exploration
In October 2010, the Peruvian government auctioned fourteen new contracts for oil and gas exploration without any consultation with local people. This triggered widespread protests in the area. Survival International are calling for any such exploration to be banned from areas inhabited by un-contacted tribes who cannot even be consulted.
In November 2010, a letter signed by fifty NGO’s was sent to oil companies to demand their immediate withdrawal from areas inhabited and technically owned by un-contacted tribes. However, these companies are still pushing to explore deeper into the forests trampling on the rights of these people, threatening them with extinction and devastating their environment.
People Like Us
These people are not only a symbol of the exploitation of the rainforest, but it should never be forgotten they are people like us with their own hopes, fears, loves and struggles. They also have their rights under International Law but who will protect them when they come into conflict with greed and commercial gain?
Frances Williams - Frances is an Autism specialist with post graduate qualifications but has had to take a career break. She is now a freelance writer. ...
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