Bolivia: Catholic bishop says indigenous people have a say in road development

Several indigenous groups in Bolivia are protesting against the construction of a highway which, according to the project, will cross the "Indigenous Territory and Isiboro Secure National Park " (ITISNP), their homeland. The reserve is in fact threatened by the construction of this road which from the heart of Bolivia will bring raw material to the border with Brazil, connecting the traffic of goods from the Pacific to the Atlantic. About a year ago, indigenous people managed to obtain the suspension of the project for one year. Now that the first stretch of road and the beginning of the works have been approved, the Indigenous are protesting publicly.

The first demonstration, which reached the capital, La Paz, took place on Aug. 2 and brought together three different indigenous nations, which are opposed  to the route that will pass through the territories they call "the big house."

The new road will stretch from the municipality of Villa Tunari, in the Department of Cochabamba in Bolivia's highland, to La Paz.

On August 17, at least 500 Indian activists protested against the construction of this 305 km highway which will cross the Amazon rainforest. The demonstrators gathered in the town of Trinidad for a 600 kilometre march, which should culminate in the Bolivian capital, La Paz. The demonstrators say that the new road - which will cost $415 million - threatens a protected area. They also contest that their right to be consulted was also violated. 

This is one of the first serious demonstrations on the part of indigenous peoples against the government of President Evo Morales, who himself proudly counts himself as a member of the indigenous peoples of the Andean republic. The highway connecting Bolivia to the Amazon and Brazil is believed to be essential developing the region's sizeable energy reserves and to international integration.

 "Please, let us sit down with feelings of hope and let us begin a dialogue to find a way out of the problem and a means of communication that will satisfy everyone", said the Catholic Archbishop of Cochabamba. Tito Solari Capellari. "This issue, like all the others we have faced, will have to be faced through dialogue, this is why we encourage dialogue and ask all the groups involved to lay down negative attitudes in order to build an adequate response, and at the same time respect the rights, listen to the reasons and ensuring the common good of all", added the Archbishop.

Archbishop Solari underlined that the groups in conflict should read what the Political Constitution of the State says in this regard: "There are indigenous people who have a say, have their territory, a right recognized by the Constitution". 

Source: FIDES