Observatoire des droits humains (anglais seulement)

Mercury Poisoning Prompts Peru to Declare State of Emergency in Amazon

(Version anglaise seulement)

Peru's President Ollanta Humala has declared a 60-day state of emergency in a large remote area of the Amazon jungle because of extremely high levels of mercury poisoning from illegal gold mining. The country's environment minister said 41 percent of the population of Madre de Dios is being exposed. The mercury is not only in people, but also polluting rivers and fish. The government plans to send hospital ships and loads of untainted fish to the area, near the border with...

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