Peruvian Government Denying Indigenous Rights, Says Ombudsman

Peru’s Ombudsman is taking the Executive Branch to task for a lack of support of indigenous rights. The government is required to consult with indigenous communities before approving development projects in areas they inhabit, according to a 2011 law, based on Convention No. 169 of the National Labor Organization. The government, however has only complied with this requirement in ten projects and none of these projects have yet been implemented. In a letter to President Ollanta Humala, the Ombudsman said that the situation is especially critical with regards to mining projects in the Andean region, where the government has not held prior consultations with the Quechua people. The MInistry of Energy and Mining, however, denies the indigenous presence and is relying on a faulty study. It has been 21 years since Peru ratified Convention 169, but indigenous communities have yet to see advances. Such a situation is likely to continue provoking clashes in a country that already has 175 active social conflicts, mainly due to disputes with extractive industries. Rael Mora reports from Lima for teleSUR.