CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT UNCONTACTED TRIBES IN PERU

Survivla International campaign for the uncontacted

18 February 2008

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR PERU'S UNCONTACTED TRIBES

Survival International launched a campaign in February 2008 to defend Peru's uncontacted tribes.

It is asking individuals to write to the Peruvian government, expressing their concern for the uncontacted tribes living in the remotest parts of the Peruvian rainforest, and to urge the government to recognise the tribes' rights and prohibit any form of natural resource extraction on their land.

Survival estimates there are 15 uncontacted tribes in Peru, all of them gravely threatened by illegal loggers or by the oil exploration currently being promoted by the Peruvian government. Any form of contact can be fatal for the tribes because they do not have immunity to outsiders' diseases.

Survival's director Stephen Corry said , 'This is not about keeping the uncontacted tribes in a 'human zoo', or even about ruling large areas of the Peruvian rainforest off-limits forever to extractors. It is about giving the tribes the time and space to make their own decisions about how they want to live, rather than imposing that decision upon them.'

For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org

www.survival-international.org/actnow

Survival helps tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.

Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK

Tel: (+44) (0)20 7687 8700
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7687 8701
www.survival-international.org

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF STANLEY SPIELMAN