Survival International warns US about oil pipeline in Peru

Survival International, an international organisation supporting tribal people, today warned the United Nations that the  massive oil operations in the northern Peruvian Amazon could decimate remote tribal people.

It warned that  these remote tribals were at risk of contracting infections brought in by outsiders, against which their bodies had no immune defences.

'By permitting companies to operate in this region Peru's government is flagrantly violating international law. It is very important to investigate this situation as soon as possible and for Peru's government to prohibit the companies from working there. If that is not done, some of the world's most vulnerable citizens could be wiped out," said the organisation in its letter to the UN's special rapporteur on indigenous peoples, James Anaya.

Oil & gas company, Perenco had recently admitted to transporting 50,000 tons of 'material and consumables' into this region, describing it as the equivalent of 'seven Eiffel towers.'

Perenco is awaiting approval from Peru's energy ministry to build a pipeline that will cut across 207 km of land and will affect the rainforest on either side for 500 meters.

Energy corporation, ConocoPhillips and oil & gas company Repsol-YPF have also applied to cut 454 km of seismic lines in bid to find oil.