Sacrificing rights in the name of development: Indigenous peoples under threat in the Americas

Across the Americas, Indigenous Peoples are seen as standing in the way of commercial interests, and are threatened, harassed, forcibly evicted, displaced and killed in the drive to exploit natural resources in the areas where they live. 

“The ongoing human rights violations against tens of millions of indigenous people across the Americas are alarming”, said Susan Lee, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

Countries across the region – including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Peru – have failed to consult Indigenous Peoples before passing laws that would threaten their livelihoods. They also carried out development projects in Indigenous Peoples’ ancestral lands without respecting their right to give free, prior and informed consent.