16 May 2018

On 9 May 2018, indigenous peoples’ rights defenders Yaku Pérez Guartambel, Mario Gonzalo, Fárez Ramon, Víctor Hernández Siavichay and Manuel Gayllas were kidnapped and held for seven hours, during which time they were threatened and Yaku Pérez Guartambel was beaten. The human rights defenders believe the kidnappers work for Ecuagoldmining South América S.A, part of Chinese mining company Junefield Group S.A, which is mining in Molleturo del Cantón Cuenca, Ecuador. After the people of Molleturo del Cantón Cuenca called for their safe return, the defenders were released on the condition that they never again set foot in Molleturo Municipality…Yaku Pérez Guartambel, Mario Gonzalo, Fárez Ramon, Víctor Hernández Siavichay and Manuel Gayllas are members of the Federación de Organizaciones Campesinas e Indígenas del Azuay (Federation of Indigenous and Campesino Organisations of Azuay – FOA), an indigenous federation that has been supporting local indigenous communities in Río Blanco and Molleturo, who are opposing the activities of Ecuagoldminig South America S.A, because of the risk of pollution to their land, and the effects the mining would have on the communities’ health and access to clean water. The mining company did not obtain the free, prior and informed consent of the communities affected by the mining…