Indigenous leaders from the Wampis Nation in Peru have taken their plea to the House of Commons in London, urging lawmakers to prohibit international banks from supporting Amazon oil activities that are causing harm to their ancestral rainforests. HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, and Santander were identified as financial backers of the state-owned oil company Petroperu, which operates a coastal refinery processing crude oil from a pipeline running through the rainforest.
Over the past decade, there have been numerous oil leaks along the pipeline, leading to severe pollution of the Wampis' fishing waters and threatening their way of life. The Wampis leaders emphasized the urgent need for action to protect their environment and livelihoods.
The banks' involvement in financing Petroperu's operations came to light through a $1 billion bond offering for refinery upgrades in 2021. Despite assurances from the banks that they adhere to environmental regulations and consider Indigenous rights, concerns persist over the environmental and social impacts of their investments in the Amazon region.
Petroperu acknowledged the oil spills and leaks along the pipeline, attributing most incidents to criminal activities or natural causes. The company claimed to have spent significant resources on cleanup efforts and is cooperating with investigations into the spills.
The Wampis, who inhabit a vast territory in northern Peru rich in biodiversity, have been advocating for the protection of their lands against illegal logging, mining, and other harmful activities. They joined forces with delegations from other countries to push for legislation that would hold British businesses accountable for environmental and human rights violations.
The ongoing struggle of Indigenous communities like the Wampis highlights the complex challenges faced by those seeking to safeguard their territories and traditional ways of life against powerful corporate interests. The global attention drawn to their cause underscores the importance of addressing the environmental and social impacts of industrial activities in sensitive ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest.
