Public Forum
The oil and gas industry ranks among the most lucrative business in the world and therefore has great economic and political influence. The extraction of the oil and gas has devastating environmental consequences on the land and water resources in the areas where it takes place. Oil and gas extraction also impacts severely on the communities in those locations, in particular on indigenous communities – either directly through the pollution or indirectly by destroying their livelihoods and way of life. However, oil and gas corporations have a long record of acting with impunity.
Several indigenous peoples in Ecuador and Peru have struggled for decades denouncing the negative impacts that oil and gas operations have on their livelihoods, rights and well-being. Representatives of affected communities have come to the Netherlands to expose their cases and the initiatives they are taking to seek access to remedy and justice. During the Forum, the representatives will engage and exchange with experts and campaigners and will discuss possible legal initiatives under Dutch and international law.
Confirmed Speakers
Mr. Aurelio Chino Dahua, Apu, (leader) President of the indigenous federation FEDIQUEP in the Pastaza river area impacted by Pluspetrol’s oil block 1AB.
Tami Okamoto Mendoza, Puinamudt, United Amazonian Indigenous Peoples in Defence of their Territories (and / or a representative of Peru Equidad).
Mr. Humberto Piaguaje Lucitante, Ecuadorian Indigenous Leader in impact area of the Chevron project.
Mr. Pablo Fajardo Mendoza, Lead lawyer on the UDAPT Chevron case.
Prof. Dr. Willem van Genugten, Professor Tilburg Law School Department European and International Public Law / Chair of the ILA International Committee on the implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples.
Dr. Joseph Wilde-Ramsing, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) and Coordinator of OECD Watch
Ms. Brid Brennan, Transnational Institute and Global Campaign to Dismantle Corporate Power
