By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
OTAVALO, Ecuador—New goals for social justice and diversity have been set in Ecuador. A declaration to promote indigenous rights was signed by Latin American leaders at a summit in Otavalo. The hope is that culturally diverse and environmentally responsible societies will be defended and encouraged. Efforts were focused on integration and recognition of black and indigenous cultures.
The 10th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) concluded Friday. About 300 government delegates and representatives from ALBA discussed “plurinational states” and efforts to avoid use of history that “remains written from the European or the Anglo-Saxon point of view.” Another concern was to ensure that “countries have environmental policies to protect ecosystems.”
The text of the Declaration of Otavalo illustrates the commitment of ALBA member states to fight against racism, xenophobia and intolerance. It also includes plans to construct an alternative model of economic sovereignty and promotes the concept of a multinational state. The document has items on climate change and a promotion of a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth within the framework of the United Nations. Among those signing the final document were the presidents of Ecuador, Venezuela and Bolivia and the vice-president of Cuba.
The Declaration of Otavalo promises that “the State will guarantee social participation and a fair and equitable distribution of benefits and the management, administration and exploitation of non-renewable natural resources.”
Outside the summit’s venue, Ecuador’s main indigenous organization protested. Members angrily complained that their views were not being represented. Indigenous leaders had attempted to enter the summit but were blocked by police. The leaders had wanted to hand a written statement to Bolivia’s President Morales, who is an indigenous Aymara.
The organization, Conaie (the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador), had been an important ally to Ecuador’s President Correa during elections. Along with other indigenous organizations, Conaie represents about 40% of the country’s population.
The relationship between Correa and Conaie has been strained lately because of concerns over mining, oil development and water rights. Conaie accuses the president of backing a mining law that would allow foreign companies to open mines on their ancestral territories. They would like Correa to give indigenous communities in the Andes mountains and Amazon rainforest more control over their own affairs.
The presidents of Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia ended the summit with a call for indigenous unity.
For more information, please see:
BBC-Protests challenge Ecuador indigenous summit-26 June 2010
Radio Cadena Agramonet-The ALBA Summit: New Goals of Social Justice-26 June 2010
El Universal-Chavez, Morales and Correa close 10th ALBA summit-25 June 2010
