It is with heavy hearts that we lament the passing of Robinson López yesterday, 21 August 2020.
Robinson was a committed leader for the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon and beyond, through his work as the Coordinator of Climate Change of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), former coordinator of Human Rights and of the Peace of the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC), and member of the Executive Leadership team of the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force Global Committee for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
As an esteemed leader of the Inga Indigenous people, Robinson was a heralded brother and friend whose reach extended far beyond the borders of his community.
We extend our deepest condolences to Robin’s family, including his wife Ginny and his children Juan and Aymara, to the Inga people, to OPIAC and COICA as well as to the international community who has been touched by Robinson’s work and friendship.
May Robinson’s spirit live on through the continuation of his mission to secure the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples around the world.
“Nos toca seguir el camino de nuestros abuelos” –Robinson López at the Klamath River meeting in 2018
We commit to carrying on Robinson’s spirit and work, and will miss our colleague and friend, Members of the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force Global Committee for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities:
Francisca Arara, Brazil
Floriberto Vásquez Ruiz, México
Oseas Barbaran, Perú
Gustavo Sánchez, México
Jason Gray, United States
Candido Mezua, Panama
Basilio Velázquez Chí, México
Fermin Chimatani, Perú
John Salcedo, Perú
Joaquim Correa de Souza Belo, Brazil
Lizardo Cauper, Perú
Juan Carlos Jintiach, Ecuador
Carlos Aragon, Brazil
Silvia Llamas, México
Delon Marthinus, Indonesia
Victor Galarreta, Perú
Colleen Scanlan Lyons, United States
