The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples visited Bolivia from 25 November to 4 December 2007. During his stay, he visited Santa Cruz department, meeting Guaraní community members recently released from servitude.
Referring to recent events in Bolivia since his visit, and which are directly affecting the human rights of that country’s indigenous peoples, the Special Rapporteur stated:
"I am concerned at the intention of the departmental authorities of Santa Cruz to proceed with a unilateral referendum on departmental autonomy, outside of the Political Constitution of the State. The draft autonomous statute they are proposing includes provisions of a racist overtone that are highly detrimental to the human rights of this department’s indigenous population, concretely draft Article 161. Indigenous peoples’ rights are guaranteed by the laws of this country, which include ILO Convention 169 and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and these must be respected by all levels of government, particularly in the context of the debate on autonomy. I call upon the authorities and the people of Santa Cruz to prevent this violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in Santa Cruz department in the name of a legitimate aspiration for departmental autonomy.
"I also note with concern, and condemn, the attacks against a number of government employees and Guaraní community members in the region of Chaco de Santa Cruz over the last few days, during the process to regularise the ancestral lands of this people, many of whom continue to live in servitude. I denounced such conditions in my Bolivia visit report. The Santa Cruz authorities have an obligation to maintain the rule of law and punish any acts of violence that may harm the peaceful resolution of ancestral problems related to indigenous peoples’ rights to their freedom, autonomy and lands."
Download the report (pdf, 3 pages)
