Via Amnesty International:

Environmental Defender in Peru needs urgent support

Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the safety of Javier Rodolfo Jahncke Benavente, a human rights and environmental defender, who has received a death threat linked to his work to protect the rights of communities affected by mining projects in northern Peru.

Javier Rodolfo Jahncke works for the Red Muqui, a support group in the Piura department that works to ensure that communities there have access to information about projected mining activities, and to a transparent and fair consultation before any such activities are carried out. On March 15, he received an anonymous call to his mobile phone from a man who told him, “Vas a morir” (You are going to die).

Most mining in Peru is for metals and the mining projects covered by the organizations in the Red Muqui include the extraction of copper, zinc, lead and gold. The communities are worried about the environmental impact that these projects may have in their region – a fear that is compounded by a lack of access to information and consultation prior to any decisions being made about mining activity in their communities.

Around the world, corporate and development interests are inflicting a devastating toll on human rights and the environment, and a disturbing trend has emerged whereby environmental defenders like Javier Rodolfo Jahncke are persecuted for their efforts.

Please take action today to help ensure the safety of Javier Rodolfo Jahncke and other members of Red Muqui and to order an investigation into any threats.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts amnesty international activism activist mining human rights Javier Rodolfo Jahncke Benavente Red Muqui Peru