AIDESEP Statement: A Historic Day for Indigenous Peoples | Amazon Watch
Amazon Watch

AIDESEP Statement: A Historic Day for Indigenous Peoples

June 18, 2009 | Campaign Update

Speaking on behalf of indigenous peoples, the vice-president of the Inter-Ethinc Association for Development in the Peruvian Amazon (AIDESEP), Daysi Zapata, expressed her satisfaction with the decision of the Congress of the Republic to repeal the illegitimate legislative decrees 1090 and 1064 and called on the government to initiate a sincere and transparent dialogue for the good of the country.

“Today is a historic day. We are grateful because the will of the indigenous peoples has been heard and we only hope that in the future governments listen and attend to indigenous peoples, that they not legislate behind their backs,” she said.

Accompanied by dozens of national and regional leaders with whom she attended the congressional debate, Zapata welcomed the attitude of President Alan Garcia for agreeing with the overturning of the decrees that the indigenous peoples considered to be a threat to the Amazon. She once again expressed, however, that if this same decision had been made earlier the unfortunate deaths and confrontations between fellow Peruvians would have been avoided.

“Starting today we will call to our members and ask them to discontinue their various protests,” she said. “My brothers from Yurimaguas,” she added, “confirmed thaht they will return to their communities as soon as the members of congress repeal the decrees.”

Zapata, as AIDESEP’s representative, also called for the repeal of the remaining seven decrees. She also called of the Executive to, as soon as possible, lift the State of Emergency and the curfew in the city of Bagua, to stop the harassment of AIDESEP’s six leaders, including the indigenous leader Alberto Pizango.

Concerning AIDESEP’s president (Alberto Pizango) Zapata expressed her wish that he soon be able to return to Peru from Nicaragua. She called on the authorities to cease all manner of persecution.

“I wish to express my gratitude to our Peruvian brothers and sisters on the coast, in the highlands, and in the jungle for all the support they have given us,” she said.

Zapata clarified that neither the movement leaders nor the indigenous brothers have been manipulated by non-governmental organizations.

“We work with the communities at the grassroots that carry the voice of the indigenous peoples. We have not been manipulated by NGOs nor by political groups. We defend the just rights of the indigenous peoples,” she said.

She called upon the leaders and all members of congress to lift the suspension of the seven members of congress who were, she said, unjustly sanctioned for defending indigenous rights.

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