Peruvian indigenous leader wins Franco-German human rights prize

Peruvian Liz Chicaje Churay —who fights for the security of indigenous territory— was recognized alongside 15 other people. 

"France and Germany pay tribute to 15 figures who courageously defend human rights all over the world. Through them, our two countries honor all human rights advocates whose work is all too often ignored or obstructed, and express their appreciation and gratitude to all those who work every day to ensure that this declaration does not remain an empty slogan," Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Heiko Maas expressed. 

Chicaje Churay is an indigenous leader from Bora community in Loreto region. She is committed to the defense of indigenous and environmental rights. 

Likewise, she constantly undertakes efforts to achieve a good governance of the indigenous territory among the Napo, Putumayo, and Amazonas rivers. 

Furthermore, Chicaje Churay is the president of Ampiyacu's Native Communities Federation (FECONA) and a member of the Categorization Committee of Yaguas Reserved Area (Loreto region). 

It should be noted she was a key figure in the process of recognizing it as a National Park. 

The ceremony took place at the German Ambassador's residence in Lima last Tuesday. On the occasion, they were joined by Deputy Human Rights and Access to Justice Minister Daniel Sanchez, as well as several representatives from different institutions. 

Since 2016, this prize has been awarded every year to figures who have made an exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law in their country and at the international level. 

This prize reaffirms the constant commitment of France and Germany to human rights and the rule of law and helps strengthen their cooperation in this area.

(END) NDP/DTK/MVB