Peru could have avoided the clash between the indigenous Mashco Piro and the loggers

Two loggers were killed in a clash with uncontacted Mashco Piro.An avoidable tragedy if Peru had protected the indigenous people.

• Two loggers have died and two others have disappeared after a clash with the uncontacted Mashco Piro people in Peru.
• Images of the indigenous people have traveled around the world in recent months.
• The FSC sustainability certification has been temporarily revoked from companies that deforest in the area.

On August 29, 2024 in Peru, a tragic clash between the Mashco Piro, an uncontacted indigenous group, and some loggers resulted in the deaths of at least two workers, with others injured or missing.The episode occurred in the Amazon region of Madre de Dios, in an area that is part of the ancestral territory of the Mashco Piro.The news of the attack, confirmed only recently, raised eyebrows fierce criticism of the Peruvian government by the local indigenous organization Fenamad.The organization accuses the authorities of not having respected either Peruvian or international law, failing to adequately recognize and protect the entire territory of the Mashco Piro.

According to Fenamad, the current situation was predictable and preventable:the government has granted portions of indigenous territory for forestry, despite the area being inhabited by vulnerable indigenous populations, such as the Mashco Piro.Tensions were already high after, last July, the images of a large group of Mashco Piro near the Pariamanu River had gone viral.The activists' main demand is that all outsiders, including loggers, are evacuated from the area to protect both the indigenous community and workers at risk.

FSC suspends the certification of those who deforest in Peru

One of the main companies involved in the exploitation of timber, Canales Tahuamanu, was seen suspend the sustainability certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).The suspension was partially determined by international media pressure and by the over 14 thousand emails sent to the FSC, asking for immediate intervention.However, indigenous organizations and Survival international insist which is still not enough:the Peruvian government must permanently revoke all concessions on the Mashco Piro territory and provide real and complete protection to the uncontacted populations.

The images released by Survival international, showing dozens of Mashco Piro near logging areas, have caused a stir internationally.Fiona Watson, director of research and advocacy at Survival International, is calling for the suspension of FSC certification to become permanent.According to Peruvian and international legislation, the Mashco Piro have the right to collectively own their territory, without suffering the devastating consequences of deforestation.

The tragic attack that led to the death of two loggers and the disappearance of two others is a concrete example of what happens when adequate measures are not taken to protect uncontacted peoples like the Mashco Piro.Without decisive action to ensure the safety of indigenous communities and the workers who operate in their territories, further tragedies are inevitable.The associations that defend the rights of uncontacted populations are convinced of this:Peru must act to revoke forestry concessions and fully protect the territory of the Mashco Piro, so as to avoid repeating episodes of violence and loss of human lives.