We call on organizations, groups and movements to sign this letter demanding that the authorities immediately stop a logging company from clearing land in the territory of the Puente Quemado II Guaraní Community, in Colonia Garuhapé, Misiones Province, Argentina.
At the end of November, workers sent by logging entrepreneur Alfredo Ruff entered the land with machinery and began to cut down the forest within the territory that the Community had surveyed, in accordance with National Law Nº 26.160. This violation of the Community's rights is being carried out in collusion with the Ministry of Ecology of Misiones Province, which authorized the clearing of the land.
This area of the forest is the only forested area left for the families of Puente Quemado II, who essentially live surrounded by pine tree monoculture plantations belonging to the multinational company, Arauco.
Let us demand that they stop this deforestation now!
This letter is open for signatures until December 4.
To the Minister of Ecology and Renewable Natural Resources of the Province of Misiones
Architect MARTÍN ANTONIO RECAMÁN
We are writing to request that you urgently halt the clearing of land in the territory of the Guaraní Community, Puente Quemado II, in Colonia Garuhapé, Municipality of Garuhapé, Department of Lib Gral. San Martín, in the Province of Misiones.
It is highly alarming and concerning that the State has authorized the deforestation of parcels of land within Lots 73, 74 and 75 without the Community's consent – given that these areas are part of the territory the Community surveyed under National Law Nº 26.160.
It is unconscionable that the rights of the Puente Quemado II Community continue to be violated. On top of enduring the onslaught of pine plantations, the Community now runs the serious risk of losing what little forest remains in their territory – which is an indispensable source of life and sustenance.
We look forward to a favorable response. Sincerely, the undersigned organizations,