Human rights defender's story: Maria Sánchez Torres from Peru

Maria Sánchez Torres, a dedicated lawyer from the International Institute on Law and Society, has spent five years during 2012-2017 litigating a pivotal case before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The case, known as the Conga Kites, challenges a mega-mining project impacting Indigenous communities in northern Peru. Maria’s passion for justice was ignited during a university trip to the Amazon, where she witnessed firsthand the dire human rights violations against the Kandachi people suffering from hepatitis B. This experience solidified her resolve to dedicate her life to fighting for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Peru.

Whilst Maria has not faced direct personal risk, the threat to other human rights defenders in her field underscores the constant potential danger of her work. Her efforts have led to significant achievements, including securing precautionary measures to protect Indigenous leaders and completing a comprehensive thesis on Indigenous rights, which serves as a critical tool for advocacy and legal challenges. Maria believes in the power of national and international mechanisms to monitor and hold States and corporations accountable for their impact on Indigenous communities.