WORLD RAINFOREST MOVEMENT
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URGENT ACTION 3 DECEMBER 1993
ARGENTINA: INDIANS APPEAL FOR SUPPORT AGAINST UNJUST LAW
The Mocovi people of northern Argentina are calling for
international support to prevent the passing of a law which will
deny them collective rights. Please write letters to support them
in their predicament.
The Mocovi, part of the Guaykuru Indian nation, number some
60,000 and inhabit the dry subtropical forest zone of the north
of Argentina in the provinces of Chaco, Santa Fe and Santiago del
Estero. They have a long history of armed resistance to, and
persecution by, the Spanish crown and later the Argentinian
government.
Since the 1980s the Mocovi have begun to organise and mobilise
and have been reoccupying their lands. In 1989, legislation was
passed - Ley Provincial 10375 - which gave greater recognition
of their land rights. The law has fallen into abeyance, however.
Now, a new law is being pushed through the provincial parliament
of Santa Fe, without any process of consultation, which does not
adequately recognise Indian collective rights. The Mocovi
demanded that consideration of the law be delayed until late 1994
to allow time for a proper period of consultation with the
communities likely to be affected and for the law to be amended
accordingly. Despite these appeals, the law has now been passed
by the parliament without such consultation taking place, but it
has not yet been ratified by the Governor of the Province - the
final step for it to have the force of law.
The Mocovi are planning major demonstrations and public actions
to oblige the Governor to accomodate their demands and they ask
for international support for this action.
PLEASE SEND A LETTER OR FAX TO THE GOVERNOR OF SANTA FE AND THE
PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA URGING THEM TO:
- to veto or delay the approval of the 'Ley de Comunidades
Indigenas' approved by the Parliament of Santa Fe on 18 November
1993.
- to undertake a process of consultation with all the Indian
communities of the province in order to develop legislation
appropriate to their needs and rights.
- to apply provincial law 10375, approved by the Parliament of
Santa Fe in 1989.
- to prevent the expulsion of Indian communities from their
claimed territories, such as the case of Pig'nik in Guadalupe
Norte.
Addresses:
Don Carlos Reuteman
Governor
Province of Santa Fe
Casa de Gobierno
3000 Santa Fe
Argentina
Fax: 54 42 551067
Dr. Carlos Menem
Presidente de la Nacion
Casa de Gobierno
Balcarce 50
1000 Buenos Aires
Argentina
Fax: 54 1 331 6376
For further information please contact the Centro Mocovi on
Fax: +54 465 99148. Please send copies of your letters/faxes to
Centro Mocovi
Casilla de Correo 36
3720 Melincue
Santa Fe
Argentina
Ends.