WACC urges fair reporting for peace in Peru

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WACC urges fair reporting for peace in Peru

Written by Philip Lee, Deputy Director Program, WACC

Wednesday, 10 June 2009 10:37

Recent acts of violence in the Peruvian Amazon have left at least 40 people dead and more than 100 wounded in clashes between Indigenous communities and Peruvian armed forces.

In keeping with WACC’s support for indigenous people’s communication rights, WACC is urging media professionals and communicators to report the ongoing situation in a fair and balanced way and in accord with the International Federation of Journalists’ recent call for ethical journalism.

The background to the conflict is that Indigenous groups have been protesting against a series of laws signed last year by President Alan García that expand foreign energy, agricultural and mining investment in the Amazon jungle. These laws undermine the local population’s right under international law to consultation regarding the development of the land and its resources.

The native population’s main concern is that Legislative Decree 1090 shrinks the size of Peru’s Forestry Heritage protection system, leaving roughly 60% of Peru’s jungles unprotected and open for potential exploitation.

In the face of the horrific violence that has surged up as a result of this conflict, the Latin American Council of Churches is leading a call for people to sign a declaration for peace and justice to prevail. Individuals and organizations can send expressions of solidarity and sign up via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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WACC promotes communication for social change. It believes that communication is a basic human right that defines people's common humanity, strengthens cultures, enables participation, creates community and challenges tyranny and oppression.

The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.