Support Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia to Oppose Highway
by Oscar Salgado
“Why don´t we want the highway to go through our territory? If the road goes through there it will mean that we disappear. We are defending our rights and identity as indigenous peoples”, Fernando Vargas, leader of the indigenous peoples of the TIPNIS.
Map showing planned route (orange line) of the highway
Bolivia´s first indigenous President Evo Morales is making a massive mistake. His government is determined to build a highway that would cut through the heart of an indigenous territory and a hugely bio-diverse national park without consulting local indigenous communities. A study estimates that if the road is built it could lead to around 64% of the national park being deforested within 18 years.
Over 1,000 indigenous peoples have been marching since 15 August to stop the highway. Although lacking adequate medicines and supplies, they have already completed 50 out of 375 miles on their way from the Bolivian Amazon to the capital La Paz in punishing temperatures of over 30 degrees. They need your support now.
In 1990 the same indigenous social movements marched to defend their rights and ancestral territories. CIDOB and CONAMAQ, who represent all of Bolivia´s 36 indigenous nations, successfully pressured the government to establish the very national park and indigenous territory (known by its acronym ´TIPNIS´) that is now under threat from the planned highway. TIPNIS covers 1,091,656 hectares. Ironically, current President Evo Morales, whose government was elected by Bolivia´s indigenous majority population, was on that march. In 2009 President Morales officially gave the collective land title to the indigenous groups living in TIPNIS.
Shamefully, by not consulting the indigenous peoples living in TIPNIS, the Bolivian government has violated the Constitution it passed in 2009 – which was acclaimed throughout the world for enshrining the rights of indigenous peoples. It has also violated International Labour Organisation Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, both ratified by Bolivia.
The wrong route
“This does not mean development for us” – Bertha Bejarano, President of the Moxeño people.
CIDOB and CONAMAQ have made it clear they are not against the building of a highway. What they reject is the proposed route through the national park, which would damage the unique biodiversity of the TIPNIS and threaten the very existence of the indigenous communities living there.
The Bolivian government has to negotiate a difficult balance, exploiting the country´s natural resources to generate income, which can be spent on improving living conditions, while not harming the environment and continuing with its commitment to defend the rights of Mother Earth.
The Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) government, led by President Morales, claims that the objective of the planned route is to promote “development” in the region by linking up isolated communities and providing a faster road link goods. However, these maps show that the road would actually bypass the majority of communities in TIPNIS who are located on the eastern border of the national park. Most shockingly of all, the current planned route of the highway means that it will run directly through the centre-west of the national park, wreaking havoc over many, virtually untouched, fragile eco-systems. The question is: why does the highway have to go along this specific route?
Although the exact reasons have not been made public, there are several possible explanations. On 10 August the Minister of Hydrocarbons (oil and gas) confirmed there are potential oil reserves in TIPNIS. Another major factor could be pressure from coca growers (cocaleros) who would benefit from greater access to the area to grow coca (involving deforestation). Thousands of coca growers have already occupied a sizeable section in the south-east of TIPNIS which has negatively affected the indigenous communities already living there (see map here). In the last few days it was revealed that President Morales promised lands inside TIPNIS to his supporters.
Escalation of the conflict
The conflict over TIPNIS is escalating and this is why the marchers need people outside Bolivia to pressure the government to change the planned route of the highway.
The government caused an international incident on 21 August by releasing logs of phone calls which key leaders on the march had received from the United States Embassy – a move which has been heavily criticised for violating individual privacy. The government has also accused CIDOB of receiving funding from the United States. All of this is despite any clear proof that the USA is behind the march. In addition, since the march started President Morales has frequently alleged that NGOs are orchestrating the march.
The government’s aim is to de-legitimise the march and make it fail. These claims are not only extremely disrespectful to CIDOB and CONAMAQ, but are also hypocritical as the government´s staunchest allies, the coca growers, have received funding from USAID (between 1983 and 2008 USAID invested around US$250 million in projects in the area where coca growers are concentrated). Furthermore many government ministers previously worked for NGOs.
These accusations have been roundly rejected by CIDOB and CONAMAQ who maintain that they are committed to defending their rights and the ancestral lands of the indigenous peoples of the TIPNIS.
TAKE ACTION to demand the Bolivian government does not build the highway through the TIPNIS national park
To sign the petition click here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TIPNIS/petition.html
Maps of TIPNIS and photos of the march: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66870262@N05/
Facebook campaign (in Spanish). Click here
Links: TIPNIS campaign website (Spanish). Blog on TIPNIS (Spanish)
Background Information
The Yucaré, Chiman and Moxeño indigenous communities live in TIPNIS, an estimated 12,000 people. These indigenous peoples have lived in the area for centuries.
The national park is a unique area of biodiversity with 402 species of flora and 714 species of fauna – including 470 types of birds, 39 species of reptiles, 188 species of water mammals such as an endangered pink dolphin (Photos here). The forests and jungles in the park regulate the local climate and water cycles.
The Confederation of Bolivian Indigenous Peoples (CIDOB – represents 34 indigenous nations primarily in the Amazon stretching from the North West to the East of Bolivia). They have been joined by the social movement the National Council of Ayllus and Markas of Qullasuyu (CONAMAQ – representing Aymara and Quechua peoples from the western highlands and central valley’s).
The planned motorway that would go from near the city of Cochabamba in central Bolivia through the Amazonian jungle to the Beni region was approved in 2010 by the MAS government and is 80% funded by the Brazilian government. It forms part of the IIRSA project strongly backed by Brazil, a system of hundreds of infrastructure projects to deepen integration within Latin America.
The government is also claiming that illegal logging is already taking place in TIPNIS. Whilst this is unconfirmed it is obviously worrying. However, the government’s argument that building the highway would allow for greater control over this illegal logging does not stand up. According to an expert on the TIPNIS region, the very reason the majority of the national park remains intact is precisely because loggers cannot get into the park because of the lack of roads.
Update
As the march gets closer to La Paz, indigenous marches face threats and opposition. They have requested international support to keep their march and their demands alive. Please consider supporting the indigenous movement in Bolivia as they march for their rights and territory. PLEASE SIGN ONTO AN ORGANIZATIONAL SIGN ON LETTER TODAY. It is below and attached in English and Spanish. Send your organizations name and primary contact to: maira@amazonwatch.org as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, September 16. This letter will be promptly sent to President Evo Morales.
Thank you for your solidarity!
For the TIPNIS and Indigenous Rights,
Leila Salazar-Lopez
Amazon Watch
More ways to show your support and take action:
Sign this petition and also the letter below:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TIPNIS/petition.html
Join “Tipnis en Resistencia” Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/108816959219282/
Join “Defendamos el Tipnis – No a la Carretera Villa Tunari-San Ignacio de Moxos” Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Defendamos-el-Tipnis-No-a-la-Carretera-Villa-Tunari-San-Ignacio-de-Moxos/147825578565137?sk=wall
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September 9, 2011
Dear President Evo Morales,
Plurinational State of Bolivia
We, the undersigned members of social movements and international civil society, are writing to express our support for the right of indigenous people to freely decide on development projects within their territories and our deep concerns about the consequences of the proposed highway through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory. We also write to express our solidarity with the Eighth Grand March of the Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia, currently taking place in defense of Isiboro Sécure and for the respect of indigenous peoples’ rights to autonomy, territory, and free choice over their own destiny.
As supporters of justice, indigenous rights, and environmental sustainability on a global scale, we have closely watched events in Bolivia since the turn of the century. We have observed and supported Bolivian social movements’ challenges to neoliberal economic policies and to the privatization of water and other natural resources. We value the proactive diplomacy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in supporting the rights of indigenous peoples, meaningful and effective responses to climate change, recognition of the right to water and sanitation, and formal acknowledgement by the State of the rights of ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole.
We have also watched with great interest and respect as Bolivians sought to incorporate these principles into their Constitution of 2009 and their national laws, including the Law on the Rights of Mother Earth. We are pleased that Bolivia has proactively asserted the place of international civil society in the global debate on climate change, particularly in Copenhagen and by hosting the World Peoples’ Summit on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth in Cochabamba in April 2010 and we look forward to participating in the 2nd Summit next spring. However, the country’s pioneering work on all these issues also comes with a great responsibility. Bolivia’s continued ability to press forward this vital agenda will be affected by its consistency and moral credibility on matters of human rights and environmental protection.
The Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS) stands as an expression of respect for the environment and indigenous peoples. As a protected area, it embodies a perpetual commitment to safeguard ecosystems of the Amazon forest, Yungas, and savannas, and the diverse flora and fauna that make up these natural communities. As an indigenous territory, it is the home of communities of the Yuracaré, Chimane, and Mojeño-Trinitario peoples, who continue their millennial culture within it and exercise the right to self-governance within the territory. Your government’s protection of the national park, and titling and recognition of the indigenous territory represent a commitment to these ecosystems and communities.
Unfortunately, this commitment has been called into question by the prospect of a new highway—the Villa Tunari–San Ignacio de Moxos road—that would divide the territory in two and accelerate already worrying trends of deforestation, uncontrolled agricultural colonization, and displacement of pre-existing indigenous communities. Statements and actions by you and your administration are also worrying signs of a failure to respect these commitments.
The highway will make Isiboro Sécure’s deforestation problem worse. Despite its status as a protected area, Isiboro Sécure has seen a steady process of deforestation, affecting tens of thousands of hectares already. The Villa Tunari-San Ignacio de Moxos highway would accelerate deforestation by increasing access to the territory for illegal loggers as well as agricultural colonizers. The proposed highway was recently projected to result in the deforestation of 64% of the park by 2030, a major increase from the already worrisome projection of 43% loss without the road. The survival of the diverse flora and fauna of the region, included endangered fresh-water dolphins and blue macaws, depends on policies that prevent rather than accelerate deforestation.
The highway is being built in violation of TIPNIS indigenous communities’ rights. In 2009, the Bolivian government handed over final title for the Isiboro Sécure Native Community Land (Tierra Comunitaria de Origen, TCO) to the Sub-central TIPNIS, recognizing its legitimacy. Despite the absence of direct consultation by the government, a May 2010 meeting uniting community-level leaders from throughout the territory, as well as the various Sub-centrals and other organizations, issued a joint declaration stating, “opening this highway would present a threat to our life as peoples who inhabit TIPNIS due to the loss of the natural resources and all the biodiversity upon the Moxeños, Yuracarés, and Chimanes sustain their culture and life: a life and culture we have lived in our territory since before the creation of the Bolivia and will continue to live in the future.” Citing this and other reasons, the meeting voted to “overwhelmingly and non-negotiably reject the construction of the Villa Tunari – San Ignacio de Moxos highway and of any highway segment that would affect our territory.” This position was recently reaffirmed by the Subcentral, and backed by the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia (CIDOB), who are joining in an ongoing cross-country march in defense of TIPNIS.
President Morales, we are saddened to hear you say “Whether they want it or not, we are going to build this road,” and “We will consult, but they should know it will not be a binding consultation.” Such statements are not consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), a global standard which the Plurinational State of Bolivia has supported. Article 32 of the Declaration states, “States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources, particularly in connection with the development, utilization or exploitation of mineral, water or other resources.”
We are also concerned to learn that, you and other Bolivian officials have attacked opponents of the highway as “enemies of integration [and] of the national economy,” monitored their phone calls, and accused them of collaboration with “obscure interests,” instead of engaging with them in good faith.] Further, indigenous communities in the Multiethnic Indigenous Territory I have declared that Segment 3 of the highway, which affects them, was approved without any process of consultation. The failure of Bolivia to respect the rights of indigenous peoples to “determine and develop priorities and strategies for the development or use of their lands,” as stated in UNDRIP represents a major step backward for indigenous rights in Bolivia.
The current dispute threatens other indigenous territories. Other comments by your administration suggest that the current controversy is not an isolated incident, but a precedent that may be applied to other projects in national parks, indigenous territories, and other protected areas. For instance, you stated publicly on August 22 that two other highways (San Borja–Rurrenabaque and San Buenaventura—Ixiamas) and oil drilling in Aguaragüe National Park “will not be negotiated.” Vice-Minister Félix Cárdenas indicated on August 4 that “this will not be the only road that will cross through protected areas, there will be many others besides.” We are gravely concerned that the current conflict will set a precedent of disrespect of indigenous peoples’ voices concerning the future of their own lands, enabling further environmentally destructive development projects. As Pilón Lajas community leader Mauricio Saravia explained, “This time it will be TIPNIS, the next could be Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve, and other Native Community Lands could also be overrun by the government.”
As participants in the struggle for justice for the planet and its people, we urge you and the Plurinational State of Bolivia [to peacefully resolve this urgent situation.] We support a free and binding consultation process for the Villa Tunari–San Ignacio de Moxos highway and the right of the indigenous people of TIPNIS to say no to this development within the Territory and National Park. We urge you to put respect for the rights of Mother Earth and her constituent ecosystems into practice, preventing the deforestation of Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory. And, we urge the government to commit to open dialogue with the TIPNIS Sub-central and CIDOB who have been marching since August 15.
We commit ourselves to continue to monitor this issue and, equally, to support indigenous and environmental rights in our own countries. We do not propose adherence to respect for indigenous peoples and the environment as an additional burden on a few countries in the global South, but as a common worldwide vision, to be implemented in the context of achieving global justice.
In solidarity, and for the Earth and its peoples,
The undersigned:
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Amig@s y compañer@s
Desde el 15 de agosto , cerca de 1500 indígenas de Bolivia –incluyendo hombres, mujeres y niños– han estado marchando en defensa de sus vidas y su territorio. El gobierno boliviano esta determinado a construir una carretera que atravesará el corazón del Territorio Indígena Parque Nacional Isiboro Secure (TIPNIS), sin hacer una consulta previa a las comunidades indígenas que habitan el área. Determinados a defender su territorio y parar la carretera, los indígenas están marchando a la ciudad de La Paz con la esperanza de que se inicie un dialogo inmediato con el gobierno para encontrar una solución alternativa . Para mas información sobre este caso, favor ver las cartas article by Friends of Tipnis o ver el sitio CIDOB’s website para reportes diarios.
En tanto que la marcha se acerca a La Paz, los marchistas enfrentan amenazas y oposición. Están pidiendo apoyo internacional para mantener la marcha y sus demandas vivas. Por favor consideren apoyar a este movimiento indígena en Bolivia en su caminata por sus derechos y su territorio.PEDIMOS A LAS ORGANZACIONES QUE POR FAVOR FIRMEN LA CARTA INTERNACIONAL HOY. Se encuentra abajo en ingles y español. Envíen el nombre de su organización y contacto a maira@amazonwatch.org lo mas pronto posible, pero no después del 16 de septiembre. Esta carta será enviada al Presidente Evo Morales.
Muchas gracias por su solidaridad
Por el TIPNIS y los derechos indígenas
Leila Salazar-Lopez
Amazon Watch
Mas formas de mostrar su apoyo y tomas acciones:
Firma la petición y la carta:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TIPNIS/petition.html
Únete al grupo de Facebook Tipnis en Resistencia”:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/108816959219282/
Únete a los gripos de Facebook “Defendamos el Tipnis – No a la Carretera Villa Tunari-San Ignacio de Moxos”:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Defendamos-el-Tipnis-No-a-la-Carretera-Villa-Tunari-San-Ignacio-de-Moxos/147825578565137?sk=wall
9 Septiembre 2011
Señor: Evo Morales Ayma
Presidente Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
PRESENTE
Los abajo firmantes representantes de los movimientos sociales y la sociedad civil internacional, expresamos nuestro apoyo al derecho de los pueblos indígenas a decidir libremente sobre proyectos de desarrollo dentro de sus territorios, y expresamos nuestra profunda preocupación por las consecuencias que conlleva la propuesta de construir una carretera por el Territorio Indígena Parque Nacional Isiboro Sécure (TIPNIS). Expresamos nuestra solidaridad con la Octava Gran Marcha Indígena por la Defensa del Territorio, la Vida, Dignidad y los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas que actualmente se encuentra defendiendo el Isiboro Sécure y el respeto a los derechos colectivos de los pueblos indígenas, a su autonomía, territorio y libre determinación.
Como activistas exigiendo justicia, derechos de los pueblos indígenas y la defensa de la Madre Tierra a nivel mundial, estamos haciendo el seguimiento al proceso de cambio en Bolivia desde el año 2000, cuando se iniciaron las luchas efervescentes de los movimientos sociales y de las naciones y pueblos indígenas originarios. Hemos observado y apoyado a las organizaciones sociales bolivianas en sus luchas contra el modelo neoliberal y la privatización del agua y otros recursos naturales. Respaldamos el trabajo del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia en apoyar y respetar los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, buscar una respuesta coherente y efectiva al cambio climático, de reconocer el derecho al agua y saneamiento, el reconocimiento formal por el Estado de los derechos de los ecosistemas y la biosfera en su conjunto.
Además con mucho interés y respeto hemos hecho seguimiento al proceso en Bolivia de intentar incorporar estos principios dentro de la Constitución Política del Estado del 2009 y en leyes nacionales, como es la Ley de los Derechos de la Madre Tierra. Reconocemos el papel proactivo que ha tomado Bolivia para promover la participación de la sociedad civil internacional en el debate mundial sobre cambio climático, en especial en Copenhague, y por organizar la Cumbre Mundial de los Pueblos sobre el Cambio Climático y los Derechos de la Madre Tierra en Abril del 2010 en la ciudad de Cochabamba y, con deseos de participar en la segunda Cumbre durante la primavera del año que viene. Sin embargo, el trabajo pionero del país sobre estos asuntos también significa una gran responsabilidad. La capacidad de Bolivia para seguir impulsando y presionado esta agenda vital depende de su coherencia y credibilidad moral en cuanto a temas de los derechos humanos y protección del medio ambiente.
El Territorio Indígena Parque Nacional Isiboro Sécure (TIPNIS) es un ejemplo de respeto para el medio ambiente y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas. Como Área Protegida, el parque significa un compromiso permanente a cuidar y garantizar los ecosistemas de la Amazonia, los Yungas y las sabanas, la diversidad de flora y fauna que se encuentra en estas comunidades naturales. Como territorio indígena, donde viven las comunidades de los pueblos Yuracaré, Chiman y Mojeño-Trinitario, éstas deben seguir con las prácticas de sus usos y costumbres milenarias y ancestrales, y el ejercicio del derecho de auto-gobierno dentro de su territorio. Señor Morales, su gobierno se ha comprometido a la protección de estos ecosistemas y comunidades a través del saneamiento y reconocimiento de este territorio indígena, y la protección del parque nacional. Empero, desafortunadamente en la actualidad este compromiso se ve cuestionado por la propuesta de construir una nueva carretera – entre Villa Tunari y San Ignacio de Moxos – que dividirá el territorio en dos y acelerará las tendencias preocupantes de desforestación, colonización incontrolada, y desplazamiento de comunidades de pueblos indígenas preexistentes. Son preocupantes los pronunciamientos y acciones que usted y su gobierno vienen realizando demostrando así una falta de respeto para estas comunidades indígenas.
La carretera va empeorar la desforestación actual en el TIPNIS. A pesar de que el TIPNIS es una Área Protegida ya se han desforestado decenas de miles de hectáreas. La carretera Villa Tunari – San Ignacio de Moxos acelerará la desforestación porque va a aumentar el acceso para la tala ilegal y promoverá el asentamiento de los colonizadores y los productores de la hoja de coca, tal cual sucede actualmente con la línea roja del mencionado parque nacional. Un estudio recién demuestra que con la propuesta de la carretera va a resultar en desforestación de 64% del parque hasta el 2030, un aumento significativo en comparación con la proyección de una pérdida de 43% sin la carretera. La sobrevivencia de la diversa flora y fauna de la región, incluyendo delfines de agua dulce en peligro de extinción y guacamayos azules, depende de políticas que deben prevenir la desforestación en vez de acelerar y promover la desforestación con políticas poco serias y coherentes con el discurso a nivel internacional.
Se está construyendo la carretera en violación de los derechos de las comunidades indígenas del TIPNIS. En el 2009 el Gobierno Boliviano entregó el título oficial para la TCO (Tierra Comunitaria de Origen) del Isiboro Sécure a la subcentral del TIPNIS reconociendo su legitimidad. A pesar de que el gobierno no hizo la consulta directa, es decir, libre, previa e informada, se realizó una reunión en Mayo del 2010 con dirigentes de comunidades de todo el territorio, varias subcentrales y otras organizaciones, que sacó una resolución conjunta resolviendo que: “construir la carretera representaría una amenaza a la vida de nuestros pueblos que viven en el TIPNIS, por la pérdida de los recursos naturales y la biodiversidad que sustentan a la vida de los Moxeños, Yuracarés y Chimanes: una vida y cultura que hemos mantenido en nuestro territorio desde antes de la creación de Bolivia y donde vamos a seguir viviendo en el futuro.” Considerando éstas conclusiones, la reunión resolvió por voto mayoritario que “de manera abrumadora e innegociable rechazamos la construcción de la carretera Villa Tunari – San Ignacio de Moxos y cualquier otra carretera que vaya afectar nuestro territorio.” Recientemente fue ratificada la posición por la subcentral y respaldada por la Confederación de los Pueblo Indígenas de Bolivia (CIDOB), quienes actualmente están marchando junto a las comunidades indígenas en defensa del TIPNIS.
Presidente Morales, leemos con tristeza cuando usted dice “Quieran o no quieran vamos construir este camino” y “Vamos a hacer la consulta pero deben saber que no será una consulta vinculante”. Estos pronunciamientos no son coherentes con la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas (UNDRIP). Un acuerdo internacional que ha sido apoyado por el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia. En el Artículo 32 de la Declaración dice: “Los Estados celebrarán consultas y cooperarán de buena fe con los pueblos indígenas interesados por conducto de sus propias instituciones representativas a fin de obtener su consentimiento libre e informado antes de aprobar cualquier proyecto que afecte a sus tierras o territorios y otros recursos, particularmente en relación con el desarrollo, la utilización o la explotación de recursos minerales, hídricos o de otro tipo.”
Nos preocupa que usted y otros funcionarios del gobierno boliviano denuncien a sus ocasionales oponentes de la carretera como “enemigos de la integración y de la economía nacional”, monitoreado sus llamadas telefónicas, acusándolos de colaborar con “intereses oscuros”, en vez de acercarles con buena fe. Además, las comunidades indígenas del Territorio Indígena Multiétnico I han declarado que el Tramo 3 de la carretera, que les afectará, fue aprobado sin ningún proceso de consulta. El hecho de que Bolivia no haya respetado el derecho de los pueblos indígenas a “determinar y desarrollar prioridades y estrategias para el desarrollo o uso de sus tierras”, como exige la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas (UNDRIP), representa un paso atrás significativo para los derechos de los pueblos indígenas en Bolivia.
El conflicto sobre el TIPNIS también pone en riesgo otros territorios indígenas. Los diferentes comentarios emitidos desde su gobierno dan la impresión que la polémica actual no es un caso aislado y puede ser un precedente que puede aplicarse a otros proyectos en parques nacionales, territorios indígenas y otras Áreas Protegidas. Por ejemplo, en un discurso público el 22 Agosto del 2011 usted dijo que otras carreteras (San Borja – Rurrenabaque y San Buenventura – Ixiamas) y la perforación de petróleo en el Parque Nacional Aguaragüe “no será negociado.” El 4 Agosto del 2011 el Vice Ministro Félix Cárdenas dijo que “no será el único camino que atravesará zonas protegidas, serán muchos otros más”. Estamos muy preocupados que el conflicto actual vaya establecer un funesto precedente para no respetar la voz de los pueblos indígenas, al cual usted dice representar, porque cuando se pronuncian sobre su preocupación por el futuro de sus tierras, la política de su gobierno se basa en proyectos de desarrollo que destrozarán el medio ambiente. El dirigente de la comunidad de Pilón Lajas Mauricio Saravia ha dicho que, “Esta vez es el TIPNIS, la próxima puede ser Pilón Lajas (Reserva Biosfera), y otras tierras TCOs (Tierra Comunitaria de Origen) que serán invadidas por el gobierno”.
Siendo activistas en las luchas por la justicia para el planeta y el pueblo exhortamos a usted y al Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia a solucionar este conflicto de manera urgente y pacífica. Respaldamos una consulta libre y vinculante para la carretera Villa Tunari – San Ignacio de Moxos y el derecho de los pueblos indígenas del TIPNIS a decir NO a este “desarrollo” dentro del Territorio y Parque Nacional. Exhortamos a usted aplicar el respeto para los derechos de la Madre Tierra y sus ecosistemas, previniendo la desforestación del Parque Nacional Isiboro Sécure y el Territorio Indígena. Además exhortamos al gobierno comprometerse a un dialogo abierto con la subcentral del TIPNIS y CIDOB quienes han estado marchando desde el 15 Agosto 2011.
Nos comprometemos a continuar haciendo el seguimiento a este asunto y también a apoyar los derechos indígenas y ambientales en nuestros países. No proponemos exigir el cumplimiento al respeto de los pueblos indígenas y el medio ambiente como tarea adicional para unos pocos países del Sur, debe ser una visión global común que tiene que ser implementada en el marco de realizar la justicia global.
Solidarizamos con el Planeta y sus pueblos,
Los abajo firmantes:
