After struggling for survival in the darkest part of the earth for decades for their own land, the indigenous Amazonians now seem to have emerged to revolt against irresponsible and reckless devastation and contaminating of their pristine lands and resources.
The oil giant Occidental Petroleum is accused of making money out of the forest’s resources – the Amazonian oil – by executing undue practices which are – ‘irresponsible, reckless, immortal and illegal.’
An indigenous tribe-members belonging to the Peruvian Amazon sued the oil giant in California’s superior court, alleging that the company is ‘knowingly’ putting the health of the Achuar people at risk, also damaging their habitat.
They also claim that the company’s practices were ‘below accepted’ industry standards, which are prohibited by law, and that, it would result in the severe contamination of water and land, is very well know to Oxy.
A lawyer for EarthRights International, representing the Achuar, Marco Simons said
If you think about the harm that was done here, the widespread lead poisoning of hundred of children and the exposure of hundreds of adults and children to contamination, you’re certainly looking at substantial damages. But more important than that, the Achuar want injunctive relief to clean up the mess.
Simons added,
The Achuar’s struggle is something of an inspiration to other peoples in Peru who are resisting oil exploration. It’s a critical time to send a message that the oil companies cannot operate in the way Occidental did in Peru.
The ‘below-poverty-line-living’ Achuar have not just fallen sick, but are also dying because of Oxy, as claimed by them. The stream water in the region is also claimed to be unfit for drinking. Even the fish there are claimed to be contaminated by Oxy’s activities.
But, with Occidental being one of the world’s biggest oil companies, will the Achuar’s –living below Peru’s $64 (£32) per month national poverty line – voice be carried across the justice panel without fading out?
Photo: guardian.co.uk