Peaceful indigenous protests in the Amazon meet with State force but succeed in securing repeals and dialogue

In early April over 30,000 indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon began peaceful protests calling for the repeal of recently adopted national laws that would open up 70% of the Amazon forest to exploitation by multinational companies. The laws ignore indigenous peoples' rights to their traditional lands. As a result of the protests two of the more flagrant laws have now been repealed and a framework for dialogue between the government and indigenous peoples is finally being developed.

Approximately three months ago over 30,000 indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon began peaceful protests and blockades of roads, rivers and railways calling for the repeal of a series of recently adopted national laws that would open up over 70% of the Amazon forest to exploitation by multinational companies. The laws ignore indigenous peoples rights to their traditional lands and resources necessary for their physical and cultural survival.The Garcia administration justifies the laws as necessary to guarantee and implement the Peru-US Free Trade Agreement.

The situation became tense when Peru responded with a declaration of a state of emergency and sent armed forces and national police to the area.

On 5 June, Peruvian military police attacked indigenous protesters in Bagua, a remote area of the northern Peruvian Amazon. State helicopters, tear gas, and bullets resulted in numerous fatalities, injuries and disappearances. Indigenous peoples looking for medical treatment were denied attention. The leader of AIDESEP (the national Amazonian indigenous organisation), Alberto Pizango, along with several others continue to be held under charges of sedition and rebellion for organising the protests and blockades.

Finally, Congress repealed two of the most egregious decrees. At least seven others remain. A framework for dialogue between the government and the indigenous peoples is being developed. Both the current and the former UN special rapporteurs on indigenous peoples visited the area. They expressed great concern, called for a comprehensive investigation of events, and recommended a national dialogue.