Stand with the indigenous environmental defenders in Saweto and throughout the Amazon!
The murder of four Ashéninka men in the Peruvian Amazon village of Saweto over defending their territory against illegal deforestation is a tragic, all too familiar story. In 2021, Front Line Defenders and the Human Rights Defenders Memorial recorded at least 358 murders of human rights activists globally; of that total, nearly 60% were land, environment, or indigenous rights defenders. These numbers are going in the wrong direction.
Rainforest Foundation US has lobbied to have the Saweto case prosecuted as an organized crime, ensuring that those who allegedly ordered the murders are held accountable, and not just the triggermen. In October 2019, a federal prosecutor finally brought charges against two logging company executives and three loggers that are presumed to be the masterminds and perpetrators of the murders. After eight years of delays, the hearings finally began on June 20, 2022.
Holding these men accountable will set a new legal precedent for prosecuting the murderers of environmental defenders around the world. But there’s no saying for sure if the trial will stick to this schedule. Peru’s legal system has postponed this trial numerous times and these families have waited long enough. We need to show them that the international community is paying attention and won’t accept anything short of justice. We won’t stand down.
Thank you for signing today to show your support!
