"PUBLIC COMPLAINT We demand that Shuar Arutam People’s decisions, in the exercise of their right to self-determination, are respected, and we denounce that the beginning of infrastructure works are facilitating the entrance of mining projects in Maiki", 09 September 2021

...We demand that Shuar Arutam People’s decisions, in the exercise of their right to self-determination, are respected, and we denounce that the beginning of infrastructure works are facilitating the entrance of mining projects in Maikiuants. The Alliance of Organizations for Human Rights and the Caminantes anti-mining Collective, we are deeply concerned about recent events reported by the Governing Council of the Shuar Arutam People (PSHA) and the "Collective of Organized Women of the Shuar Center of Maikiuants" (organization linked to the PSHA), associated with the start of infrastructure works and mining facilities at the Warintza Project. There is an escalation of territorial conflict between the community centers and the associations that make up PSHA against the concessionary mining companies operating illegally and illegally in their territory...

...[T]here is a well-founded fear in the residents of possible, arbitrary and unnecessary police and/or military intervention that, as in previous opportunities, could generate serious violations of human and collective rights of the population displaying a biased action by the Public Force and Armed Forces in favour of the particular interest of the company...

60% of the territory of the Shuar Arutam People has been concessioned to transnational mining companies without respecting their right to free, prior, and informed consent and in a context of systematic human rights violations. Some of these companies include Solaris Resources (Canada), SolGold (Australia), ExplorCobres S.A., EXSA (a subsidiary of Chinese-owned, Canada-based Corriente Resources)...

It should be noted that the Shuar Arutam People, in exercise of their right to self-determination and in defense of their collective rights, has repeatedly resolved since 2019 that it does not authorize mining activities in their territories and has insistently communicated these decisions to state authorities...

Faced with this situation, we denounce the Ecuadorian State, through the Ministry of Government, for committing very serious acts aimed at dividing the Shuar Arutam People, promoting violence between the communities and increasing the risks against the integrity and even the lives of the communities....

As human rights organizations, we will remain vigilant to ensure that PSHA’s collective rights are respected, including their right to self-determination and to prevent the militarization of territories and communities of Indigenous Peoples...