Ten years after the deadly events in Bagua Province (Amazon region), the Executive Branch has reaffirmed its
commitment to ensuring the full implementation of indigenous peoples' rights.
"The Government of Peru reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the full implementation of indigenous peoples' rights and reiterates its conviction that intercultural dialogue, understanding, and respect are irreplaceable tools to solve conflicts in a culturally diverse country," the statement said.
Likewise, it explains that —over the past 10 years— as society and State, "we have become aware of the importance of implementing instruments to guarantee the protection of indigenous peoples' rights, such as the prior consultation."
"We have moved forward towards closing social gaps in the Amazon and implemented public services with an intercultural approach and in
native languages, but there is still much to do as a State in order to expand services and bridge the gap among Peruvians," it added.
In this regard, the PCM noted the establishment of the Working Group for Indigenous Policies (GTPI) as an official space for dialogue and consensus between the Executive Branch and national organizations representative of indigenous peoples, where a new and consensual indigenous agenda is being formulated.
"45 consultation processes have been completed since 2013, and other five are underway. These processes constitute important steps towards ensuring the rights of
indigenous peoples and, at the same time, pose challenges to the State so as to improve spaces for intercultural dialogue," the PCM said.
As is known, 33 people died in clashes between police and indigenous people near Bagua and Bagua Grande cities in the Amazon region.
Those killed included both tribesmen and police officers. The violence took place as security forces tried to end a road blockade.
(END) JCC/CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 6/5/2019