The last 2 weeks have seen an unprecedented mobilization of
the indigenous people of Ecuador and a repressive response
from the government of six to Dur n Ballen. So far at
least 5 indigenous activivists have been killed, and many
more hospitalized, mostly from gun shots. The number of
jailed is unknown.
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador
(CONAIE) the National Ecuadorean Federation of Campesino
and Indigenous Organizations (FENOC-I), and the Evangelical
Federation of Indigenous Ecuadoreans (FEINE), called upon
their grassroots communities to rise up in protest to the
"Agrarian Development Law" presented by the Social
Christian Party, and passed by congress without the 15
days of debate required by the constitution. Their main
demand is that the law be overturned.
A year ago, the Indigenous and rural population of Ecuador
presented to congress (through a congressman) an
alternative Agrarian law proposal that took into account
the needs of the rural population. This proposal was sent
to a comission of congress and was virtually ignored.
The Social Christan Party's law, the indigenous
orginization's claim, soley represents the interests of
large land owners and agri-business. It directly
challenges, they claim, indigenous rights to small farms,
credits, and even the communal way of life, In the Amazon,
the new law promotes colonization in the rainforest.
To protest the Agrarian Development Law hundreds of
thousands of Indians have closed strategic points in the
panamerican highway, preventing the transportation of
products to the cities, and refusing to bring their own
produce to market. In some towns government buildings were
taken over, and thousands filled the streets in marches.
In the Amazon, along with the road blocks, 4 oil wells were
taken over by indigenous communities and production was
halted for days. Other social sectors, including the
largest unions (FUT and IESS) have joined the protests in
solidarity with the indigenoeus organizations.
After a week of protests, tensions began to run high as the
scarcity of food was felt, and on the 10th day, President
Dur n asked for a dialogue with the Indigenous leadership.
All of the provinces involved sent delegates to meet with
the President, but they were disappointed as the
government refused to discuss overturning the law, and
suggested forming a commission to discuss reforms.
The indigenous delegates decided the protests must
continue, and in response the President decreed a State of
Emergency, giving the armed forces free reign to do
whatever necessary to stop the peaceful protests. Below
are some examples of the violence incited by the anti-
mobilization actions.
In the meantime, the indigenous leadership continued to
pursue the legal process by appealing to the Tribunal of
Constitutional Guarrantees , which, on June 23, agreed that
the law is unconstitutional, and sent the case to the
Supreme Court. So far, the President has refused to accept
the pronouncement of the Tribunal.
Indigenous leaders state that they have tried, and continue
to pursue, legal means, but that until now, only mass
protests allows their voice to be heard. Only by refusing
to provide food to the cities, they say, will the
government understand that by doing away with the small
farmers who produce food, they will leave the country
hungry.
Examples of Violence in the Provinces:
1. Cotopaxi: The indigenous radio station is invaded by the
military, equipment destroyed, two vehicles and radio
equipment are taken, and the radio annoucer, Alma Montoya,
is arrested.
2. Tungurahua: Marco Manabanda and Lorenzo Masaquiza are
both shot and killed, and the indigenous radio station is
shot at .
3. Chimborazo: A violent military parachute operation
leaves two critically injured and many other wounded, and
500 iindigenous are violently forced out of a convent.
En Achupallas, the military used bombs to force out
protesters, leaving many wounded and asphyxiated.
Two indigenous radio stations are invaded by the military
and shut down as well as the offices of the indigneous
organization.
4. Ca$ar: Gangs led by the Social Cristian Party provoke
looting and burning of the indigenous organizations
offices, killing Manuel Jesus Yupa and wounding 35 more.
Racism is encouraged by the Party and local government. The
indigenous radio station is closed. Also, military personnel
have entered indigenous communities, causing injury by kicking
indigenous people, hitting them with the butt ends of their
rifles, and using tear gas. There have also been a number of
disappearances of indigenous peoples.
5. Sucumbios: Violent military actions in Limoncocha leave
David Andi shot and critically wounded, ten others injured,
and possibly two others killed.
We ask that you please send letters of support and demand
that the President withdraw his troops, and most
importantly that he accept the ruling of the Tribunal of
Constitutional Guarantees.
Send Faxes to:
President Sixto Dur n Ballen
011-593-2-580-751
Hugo Ordo$ez
President of the Consitutional Section of the Supreme Court
011-593-2-508-470
Thank you for your support.
CONAIE
-- randolin@estuflac.ecx.ec