LETTER: EIA Signs Letter Petitioning Peruvian President to Reject Economic Policy

Over 100 international organizations have signed a letter to Peruvian President Ollanta Humala asking that he withdraw support for legislation, passed July 3 by the Peruvian Congress, that will force environmental rollbacks in a misguided attempt to increase private investment. EIA, one of the signatories to the letter, is calling on Humala to veto the new legislation. If Peru should enact the law it will be violating its obligations under the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement.

EIA Peru Country Director, Julia Urrunaga, issued the following statement:

“It is imperative that President Humala reject this new law. As it stands, the law prioritizes immediate gain for corporations over sustainable development for Peruvians and environmental protection for the country. Weakening environmental protections to make it easier for companies to exploit natural resources in an irresponsible way is short-sighted and disgraceful. If Peru enacts these measures, we urge the United States and international community to take appropriate action.”

You can find a copy of the signed letter in English here.

Spanish text here.