85 Second Street, Second lloor San lrancisco, CA 94105-3441, U.S.A.

1 Rue Nicholas Street, Suite 412, Ottawa ON K1N B, Canada

15 December 2013
Ecuadoran Ambassador to USA Ms. Nathalie Cely Suarez
Embassy of Ecuador in Washington, D.C.
2535 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Via email: embassy@ecuador.org

Ecuadoran Ambassador to Canada Mr. Andres Teran-Parral,
99 Bank Street, Suite 230
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6B9
Via email: embassy@embassyecuador.ca

Dear Ms. Suarez and Mr. Terab-Parral,

Sierra Club has recently learned of President Correas decision on December 4, 2013 to arbitrarily
dissolve the offices of the Quito-based non-governmental organization, Fundacin Pachamama.

The news has sent shock waves through the global network of people and organizations
advocating for the protection of the environment, and is particularly disheartening given Ecuador
was the first country in the world to recognise the rights of Nature.

This unfortunate decision of the President is in reaction to Fundacin Pachamama stand against
oil and mining development in and around indigenous territories in the south and central region of
the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is clear this dissolution seeks to repress Fundacin Pachamamas
legitimate right to disagree with the governments policies. For 16 years, it has given a vital voice
to Ecuadorian citizens who want only to protect the rainforest and their ancestral territories, and
to be consulted before any potentially damaging actions take place around their communities, as is
their legal right.

In addition to being an arbitrary act, the dissolution of Fundacin Pachamama is a demonstration
of the governments unease about the collection of signatures by civil society to prevent the
destruction of the Yasuni National Park.

For over 117 years, Sierra Cluboriginally established by John Muirhas worked to protect
national parks at home and abroad from incursions that mar the intrinsic wild beauty and threaten
the native wild fauna and flora for which these parks were originally established. We continue to
support the efforts of similar organizations world-wide who work to protect their local wild
resources from destructive developments.

According to the 1992 RIO DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
Principle 10 Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens,
at the relevant level and Principle 22 Indigenous people and their communities and other local
85 Second Street, Second lloor San lrancisco, CA 94105-3441 1LL: |415| 9-599 lAX: |415| 9-592 www.sierraclub.org

communities have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their
knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity,
culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable
development. Chapter 27 of Agenda 21 to the Rio Declaration specifically identified the critical
role of environmental organizations in the dialogue on sustainable development.

In addition to its conservation efforts, Fundacin Pachamama also does important work to
support the sustainable development of the Amazon, such as implementing a solar boat
transportation system, the first such system in the world, and working with healthcare
professionals to train women and communities in safe birth practices.

Sierra Club believes all governments have the responsibility to protect their countries' wild
heritage not only for the enjoyment of future generations but also for the protection and
conservation of the Earth's ever shrinking biodiversity. Long-term protection should not be
sacrificed for commercial gain.

Fundacin Pachamama must be reopened, not only for their own good, but also for the good of
all social organizations, indigenous and educational, that are at risk. We hope you will recognize
the importance of the need to balance good conservation planning with economic development.
On behalf of Sierra Club U.S.A. and Canada as well as the global environmental community, I
urge President Correa to reverse his decision and re-open the offices of Fundacin Pachamama


Sincerely,


International Vice President


cc. US Secretary of State John Kerry, kerryjf@state.gov;

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, john.baird@parl.gc.ca;

And to: fundacionpachamama@pachamama.org.ec.


Please Reply to:
Richard Cellarius
621 Park Ave., Prescott, AZ 86303 U.S.A.
e-mail: Richard.Cellarius@sierraclub.org