Call to end impunity for those responsible for the murder of Jehry Rivera

Forest Peoples Programme reiterates its deep concern about the impunity of those responsible for the murder of indigenous rights defenders Brorán leader Jehry Rivera and Bribri leader Sergio Rojas, a fact that reflects the structural impunity in Costa Rica. Impunity is the official response to the persistent threats, attacks and murders faced by indigenous leaders in the country.

Jehry Rivera was a defender of the rights of his people, of nature, animals, and the territorial rights of his Ancestral Territory Térraba. His fight was tireless against the Diquís Hydroelectric Project within the Brörán Territory, which earned him many enemies, surviving an attack on his life in 2013. 

On February 23, 2020, Brorán leader Jehry Rivera was assassinated in the Térraba Indigenous Territory, in an orchestrated and planned act by local farmers, who formed a mob of more than 150 people to attack and murder indigenous people - including children - who were exercising their rights, all in the presence of numerous police officers. Jehry, like the murdered indigenous leader Sergio Rojas, was a beneficiary of the precautionary measures of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights 321/15, since April 30, 2015.

Next Monday, October 18, an oral hearing will be held before the criminal court of Buenos Aires where the judge will hear the parties to decide whether the case will be elevated to trial. Bringing the case of the serious crime against the life of Jehry Rivera to trial is essential to act in accordance with the international obligations that weigh on all Costa Rican authorities.

We therefore remind the Judiciary that is has a responsibility to ensure that any decision is consistent with the obligations and rights contained in the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR). This obligation is even stricter when it comes to safeguarding the rights of specially protected persons and those who are also subject to Precautionary Measures.

Forest Peoples Programme urges the State of Costa Rica to bring to trial the case of the murder of leader Brorán Jehry and to comply with its duty and obligation to investigate, identify and punish all those responsible for his murder, who took his life and attacked the integrity of his entire community. This requires addressing the underlying causes of violence in Costa Rica: the massive and illegal occupation of approximately 24 legally titled indigenous territories in the country, some of which are more than 90 percent illegally occupied.

The fight against impunity will continue, as will the memory of Jhery and Sergio.