Current Context

The rights of indigenous people should not be taken as lightly as they are in this world. To this day, all throughout the world, their land is taken from them for capitalist’s development and profits. Ecuador faces chronic human rights challenges and the indigenous people are no exception to that. (HRW) The biggest problem that the indigenous people of Ecuador have had to face this past year has been the destruction of their land. It has been an ongoing issue that seems like it will never end. Ecuador has been constantly increasing the value of mining to its economy. In fact, Ecuador plans to double that value to the economy by 2021. (Vandegrift, et. Al) The land of Ecuador is rich with copper, which is forecasted to have an increase in demand within the next few years. Multiple foreign investors have come to Ecuador to buy the exploration rights to protected lands. (Brightmore) The mining companies are given permission by the government to operate on indigenous land without even consulting the people. The Ecuadorian government has quietly granted mining concessions to over 4.25 million acres of protected forests and indigenous territories. These exploratory concessions were awarded to transnational corporations in closed-door deals without public knowledge or consent. (RIC) This is in direct violation of Ecuadorian law and international treaties, and will cause tremendous harm to both the ecosystem and the environment in its entirety. The companies that come in have caused tremendous amounts of environmental damage and for more than 20 years, the companies have done so without any consequences.