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Amazon Indians Win Repeal of Land Grab Laws

Decision hailed as major victory for indigenous people

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 19, 2009 5:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – Peru's Congress has revoked two laws that led to bloody clashes between police and indigenous protesters, CNN reports. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of ditching the laws that opened up the country's Amazon region to mining, logging, and oil companies. Dozens of people died earlier this month when police moved in on indigenous people blocking roads to protest the exploitation of their ancestral lands.

"We are thankful because the will of the indigenous people has been heard and we only hope that, in the future, government will pay attention to and listen to the people and not legislate behind their backs," said the leader of an indigenous group, urging its members to abandon their protests. She added that lives could have been saved if the government had acted earlier.

[Images (3)]

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Peru's Cabinet chief Yehude Simon, center, pose with Amazon Indians after submitting a proposal to Congress that would revoke two decrees contested by Indian groups in Lima yesterday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Peru's Cabinet chief Yehude Simon, right, talks to Congress president Javier Velasquez during a meeting at the Congress in Lima yesterday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Demonstrators protest in favor of Amazon Indians in Lima, Peru last week. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

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Today is a historic day for all indigenous people and for the nation of Peru. - Daysi Zapata, a leader of the Peruvian Jungle Inter-Ethnic Development Association

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Amazon Indians Win Repeal of Land Grab Laws