Humala Signs Prior Consultation Law During Jungle Ceremony

President Ollanta Humala enacted the prior consultation law on Tuesday during a ceremony in the north jungle town of Bagua. The bill was unanimously approved by Congress and has been strongly supported by international and national rights organizations. It is intended to ensure that Peru’s local laws are in compliance with the International Labour Organization’s [...]

Prior consultation bill sent to Humala after approval in Congress

Peru’s Congress has unanimously approved a bill to implement prior consultation for indigenous communities that could be impacted by development projects, mainly in the mining, energy and agricultural sectors. The bill was the first approved by the new Congress, which was formed in July following the general election in April. The bill, known as prior [...]

Indigenous representatives, Gana Peru lawmakers call for approval of prior consultation

Representatives of indigenous communities and legislators from President Ollanta Humala’s ruling Gana Peru party called on Congress Thursday to approve the prior consultation law soon. Lawmaker Eduardo Nayap, a member of the Awajun indigenous community, said the law will improve social inclusion and prevent social conflicts, which have mired numerous mining and energy projects during the [...]

Peru sees 214 social conflicts in July – Defensoria

Peru’s national ombudsman, the Defensoria del Pueblo, said Tuesday that it registered 214 social conflicts in the country in July. Social conflicts soared during ex-President Alan Garcia’s administration, leading to numerous deaths as well as delays to many mining and energy projects. According to the Defensoria, 118 of the conflicts are related to socio-environmental issues. Twenty-two [...]

Environment Minister says tackling social conflicts is “urgent”

Peru’s Environment Minister Ricardo Giesecke said Monday that tackling social conflicts in the country will be an “urgent” task in his portfolio, state news agency Andina reported. Social conflicts sky-rocketed during the Alan Garcia’s administration. When Garcia took office in 2006, Peru’s ombudsman – the Defensoria del Pueblo – reported about 80 social conflicts in the [...]

Ombudsman’s office calls for territorial planning to reduce conflicts

Peru’s national ombudsman – the Defensoria del Pueblo – said Friday that the government needs to promote territorial planning to define areas exclusively for agriculture to avoid future social conflicts, state news agency Andina reported. “A policy for land demarcation is basic so these activities can develop in a compatible way with the environment,” said [...]

Reconciliation between Government and Amazon communities still far off, say Indigenous leaders

Reconciliation between Peru’s government and communities in the country’s Amazon region is still far off almost a year after deadly confrontations between indigenous protestors and authorities, CNR news service reported indigenous leaders saying Friday. “Reconciliation is still in process,” said indigenous leader Denis Pashanase. “There have been indigenous people and leaders prosecuted, people disappeared, and the [...]