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Petition for respecting the land-titles of Shiwa Yacu

The reason for this petition is the signature of a sales-contract between the US-American Michael Porter and Gerardo Moscoso a Ecuadorian settler for the land of the community Shiwa Yacu. The land has been in the property of the community Shiwa Yacu for more than over 100 years. But as the indigenous community doesnt posses any written document confirming the ownership, it was the Ecuadorian state, who declared itself the owner of the land and distributed it during the period of colonization of the indigenous land. About 1.000ha of the land was given to Ecuadorian settlers during the land reform in 1964, only 158,8ha stayed with the people of Shiwa Yacu. Now Gerardo Moscoso sold his land to a foreign investor and started harming the indigenous community, hoping that they will leave their land.

But the inhabitants of Shiwa Yacu protest against the harm. On the 24th of August the community declared the state of emergency and they warn the government of a collective suicide, if they will loose their anxious land. The community insists that the government recognizes their territorial rights and that they protect their human rights. With the ratification of the agreement ILO 169 the Ecuadorian government is obliged to work on a suitable procedure for the legalization of indigenous land. But up to now the state hasnt done anything in order to fulfil its obligation.

Shiwa Yacus is supported by different national and international organisations and private persons with protest letters. One of them is Viva Amazonia, which collected about 100 signatures in Switzerland and Austria and sent them to the respective authorities in Ecuador.

For this reason we would like you to sign this petition as well: together with the community of Shiwa Yacu we urge the Ecuadorian state to legalize the land of the indigenous population of Ecuador!!