17 June 2009
In a complete "about-face", the Peruvian government has asked Congress to repeal legislative decrees 1090 and 1064 which fueled the violence in the city of Bagua, Peru. Thirty-four people died as a result of this violence.
Primer Minister Yehude Simon submitted a proposal to Peru's Congress to repeal the two legislative decrees, 1090 and 1064. These two decrees were passed, according to the Peruvian government, in order to fulfill the requirements of the standing trade agreement between the US and Peru. The decrees were passed without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people living on the land impacted by the decrees.
President Garcia, who had been steadfast in support of the decrees, submitted a petition to repeal the two laws on Wednesday, June 17th. Find the petition below (in Spanish):
Carta de Garcia al Congreso pidiendo la derogacion de los decretos - President Garcia's letter to Congress, 17 June 2009
Mensaje de Alan Garcia (in Spanish) - text of Garcia's televised message 17 June 2009
It was also reported today that Prime Minister Yehude Simon will step down after the current situation has been resolved.
AIDESEP, the leading indigenous organization in Peru, published a press release which expresses their regret at the loss of so many lives in the situation. AIDESEP welcomes the repeal of the legislative decrees but urges the government to make a sustained effort to engage with key indigenous groups. Find the press release below (in Spanish):
Comunicado AIDESEP - Press release from AIDESEP, 16 June 2009
AIDESEP's leader, Alberto Pizango, has fled Peru to seek political asylum in Nicaragua. Meanwhile, the USTR (US Trade Representative) have not issued a statement about any implications for the trade agreement but they have pledged to help the Peruvian government create a space for dialogue with the indigenous communities. (La Republica 15 June 2009).
Various lessons-learned from the still-unfolding events in Peru are compiled in this blog.