Indigenous organisations in Ucayali, Peru, protest to demand respect for their rights and territories
On 25 September in Pucallpa, Indigenous organisations of the Ucayali region, the Federation of Native Communities of Ucayali and Affluents (FECONAU), the Regional Organisation Aidesep Ucayali (ORAU), the Shipibo-Konibo-Xetebo Council (COSHIKOX), the Indigenous Guard, and their base communities, came together to stage a sit-in in front of various Peruvian state institutions to demand respect for their rights. Specifically, they demonstrated in front of the Ombudsman's Office, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the Judiciary, the Regional Government of Ucayali and the Comptroller General of the Republic.
The organisations complained about the absenteeism and neglect of the state at all levels, the violation of their ancestral rights and the protection of biodiversity, as well as a justice system that marginalises them as Indigenous peoples. Transparency in public management, respect for territorial rights and adequate access to justice and impartiality in the processes were the main demands of the participants.
Protesters questioned the cases of the exclusionary conservation model and mismanagement of public resources by the management of the Regional Conservation Area - Imiría, the construction project of the Puerto Italia - Yurúa road, the continuous offer of oil extraction blocks in Ucayali, the expansion of large-scale monoculture of the oil palm company Ocho Sur and land grabbing by Mennonites, as well as land trafficking where officials of the agrarian agency are allegedly involved. Finally, there are unjustified cases of tax and police persecution of Indigenous organisations with false and unsubstantiated accusations.
The participating organisations issued the following joint statement.
STATEMENT
The undersigned organisations ORAU, FECONAU, COSHICOX and AIDESEP, in the face of the absenteeism and abandonment of the State at all levels, in the face of the violation of our ancestral rights and biodiversity, in the face of a justice system that marginalises us, in the face of the theft by officials of the budgets that come to improve life in our communities, we demand:
TRANSPARENCY
With the public budgets that come for our communities and the Regional Conservation Area (ACR) Imiría, which the Regional Government of Ucayali (GOREU) has been receiving for years and that, to date, there has been no transparent administration.
That the anti-corruption prosecutor's office and the Comptroller General of the Republic supervise public institutions regarding the use of public budgets destined for our communities.
We demand an urgent ordinance on transparency in public investments, as we do not know how they are being invested and what they are being spent on in our Indigenous communities.
We demand that public budgets destined for our Indigenous peoples be used for what they are intended for and not be the spoils of corrupt officials!
RESPECT FOR TERRITORIAL RIGHTS
No to the construction of the Puerto Italia / Yurau road, as this would seriously affect biodiversity, rewarding illegal loggers and large logging companies.
No! to the offer of oil blocks in Ucayali, we need to maintain our biodiversity.
No to the abusive deception of our communities!
We demand respect for our ancestral territories. What is the GOREU doing to defend our forests? To geo-reference our old land titles?
No more titling to settlers and foreigners within our territories! No more large-scale monoculture!
No more Ocho Sur! No more Mennonites! No more land trafficking, agricultural officials!
ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS
We demand justice for our imprisoned brothers, who have not had a translator into their native language when they were investigated by either the Peruvian National Police or the Prosecutor's Office!
Prosecutors and judges, we are human beings. Respect our rights. We have blood in our veins like you. Respect our universal rights, our right to defence, our culture, do not differentiate between those who have more money and those who do not.
No to the fiscal persecution of our Indigenous organisations for false accusations!
Additional links:
Overview
- Resource Type:
- News
- Publication date:
- 3 October 2024
- Region:
- Peru
- Programmes:
- Conservation and human rights Territorial Governance Culture and Knowledge
- Partners:
- Asociación Interétnica de Desarrollo de la Selva Peruana (AIDESEP) Organización Regional de AIDESEP-Ucayali (ORAU) Federacíon de Comunidades Nativas del Ucayali y Afluentes (FECONAU)
- Translations:
- Spanish: Plantón de organizaciones indígenas en Ucayali, Perú, por el respeto de sus derechos y territorios