Choachí Declaration on Extractivism for a Non-Proliferation Treaty
As members of indigenous nations and organizations affected by the extraction of oil, gas and coal in Latin America, together with social, youth, women and faith movements throughout the region, we raise our voices united in a firm commitment to our territories, life, justice and equity.
We oppose the continued expansion of the fossil industry that, based on colonial and corrupt extractivist systems, refuses to stop the economic suicide it represents, destroys our bodies and territories, displaces indigenous and peasant communities, contaminates our water, our air, and our soils, fuels the climate catastrophe and condemns all biodiversity to death.
Inspired by the powerful resistance and autonomy of frontline communities tirelessly challenging the fossil fuel industry, and guided by the inspiring example of the populations of Ecuador and Colombia, as well as the nine Amazonian indigenous nations of Peru, who have taken decisive steps towards the progressive elimination of extraction, we call for the adoption of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a key legal tool for the world to change course.
It is time to leave behind the extractivist model, promoted by countries, banks and transnational corporations, mostly from the global North, through colonial relations that operate above the sovereignty of the people, and to work towards a model that recognizes and respect the rights and self-determination of indigenous, peasant and Afro peoples, and promote an economy for life that operates in harmony with nature.
To achieve this just transition, we must act in solidarity at the international level, hold historical polluters accountable and decolonize the international financial system that currently only supports the extractivist capitalist economic model, that is, the economy of death to the detriment of our common future. Likewise, we must radically change the economic, labor and consumer system that generates the depredation of the earth against our own existence as a species.
We commit to developing our own regional and territorial vision and proposal for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, to work together to create new forms of existence that promote the autonomy of peoples, respect for their rights, comprehensive reparation, new relationships with nature, peace and hope.
Our Humanity is at a crossroads. We invite all organizations in civil society, communities, individuals, cities and subnational and national governments to join in this historic struggle, choosing the side of life!
SIGNATORIES
Caesar Movement without fracking and without gas
Laudato Si' Movement
Living Water Census
Waorani Yasuní Nationality Organization NAWE
Amazonian Youth Collective Ecuador
Amazon Coalition without oil - Ecuador
Water, Territory and Ecosystems Defense Corporation - CORDATEC
Fracking Free Colombia Alliance - ACLF
Climate Action Network Latin America - CANLA
