Peruvian Congress revokes controversial decrees on Amazonia

Jun 18, 2009, 23:19 GMT

Lima - The Peruvian Congress on Thursday revoked the decrees that native communities had opposed in protest for more than two months that left at least 34 people dead.

The decrees gave foreign investors access to the Amazon's mineral wealth and forests in a way that the natives said damaged their claims on land. The laws had been enacted without any consultation with indigenous communities.

The Peruvian Congress moved to revoke the legislation by a vote of 82-12.

The revocation had been proposed by the government, which had staunchly stood by the decrees for the last year. The government of President Alan Garcia justified its change of policy on the grounds that reconciliation was necessary, and pro-government legislators followed Garcia's lead.

He is now expected to seek consensus proposals for the Amazon rainforest. In recent days, talks were already held with native communities in that direction.

Given the change in government policy, leaders of indigenous communities asked supporters to end their weeks-long blockades of roads, waterways and oilfields.

Native peoples' leader Alberto Pizango went into exile Wednesday in Nicaragua. After being charged with having caused the deadly violence, Pizango faced up to 35 years in jail. He took refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Lima and was granted asylum by Managua.

For months, Garcia ignored the peaceful protests of the natives, and indigenous protestors finally clashed with security forces on June 5 near the town of Bagua. At least 34 people were killed, including 24 police officers.

The natives claim that more of their people were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators blocking a road. The indigenous protestors also responded with violence. According to Amnesty International, at least 79 indigenous demonstrators were detained and at least 169 people were wounded in the protests.

Garcia had earlier said that economic development of the whole of Peru - including the Amazon - was needed to fight widespread poverty.

Authorities insisted that the central government, which ultimately owns the disputed land, would safeguard the interests of the Peruvian citizens affected and protect the environment of the jungle areas at stake.

Garcia had signed the decrees after a free-trade agreement between the United States and Peru was inked.