“Peru must halt oil talks until indigenous rights and contamination are taken into account” – UN experts - 13 July 2017

…A 30-year contract for future extraction rights is under negotiation…The Special Rapporteurs on hazardous substances and wastes, Baskut Tuncak, and on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, said they are making the call in the light of “grossly inadequate efforts” to provide remedies for previous widespread oil spills in the region…“The oil spills continue to adversely impact the rights of indigenous peoples, and the ongoing negotiating process does not give sufficient recognition of their right to free, prior and informed consent,” noted the Special Rapporteurs…“The Peruvian Government must suspend the direct negotiations with companies until the right to free, prior and informed consent is guaranteed, and all environmental damage has been remedied,” they said…The state-owned company Petroperú is negotiating a new contract in conjunction with Perupetro, another state company responsible for production.  Argentine firm Pluspetrol withdrew from the site in 2015, and a temporary contract was given to Canadian firm Pacific Stratus Energy…