boliviasc.org.uk
Hello,
I forward this letter gives some very precise detail on the latest clashes between the feudal landowners and the Bolivian governement
seeking to free the Guaranis still in serfdom in the Santa Cruz region.
3.-An Open Letter from Bolivia to all US Citizens
Dear sisters and brothers in the US,
We are writing to request your help in respect of US government foreign policy towards Bolivia.
It is important to understand the current situation in Bolivia and to appreciate the democratic historical context of changes, that at the moment are on course in the country.
We ask you sisters and brothers to help in insuring that the US government puts a halt to the funding of regional government initiatives and opposition groups in Bolivia, through USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy, and respects the self-determination of the Bolivian people.
How can you do this?
By writing letters to the US government, parliament and/or presenting/displaying motions in support of the process for change in Bolivia, so that together we put a brake on USAID and NED.
Historical background
In December 2005, Evo Morales won the election with a landslide victory, to become the first indigenous president of Bolivia. His election was a direct result of a growing movement among Bolivia's indigenous majority that called for a redistribution of natural resources and the recognition of indigenous self-determination and autonomy through a new constitution.
The Morales government renegotiated contracts with energy companies leading to a large increase in income for the Bolivian people, resumed a stalled agrarian reform process begun in 1953, and instituted an assembly to draft a new constitution to be voted on in a national referendum.
These reforms are bitterly opposed by the business and media elite, particularly the large landholders of Bolivia's lowlands where natural gas reserves and millions of acres in under-productive cattle ranches are concentrated.
"...the Agrarian Reform Council distributed far greater amounts of land to the politically well-connected and awarded large amounts of land to foreign settlers.† The greatest corruption occurred during the military dictatorship of General Hugo Banzer (1971-1978), who handed thousands of hectares to nearly a thousand of his friends and supporters. Many of these grantees never bothered to even survey their new properties, but simply used them as collateral to obtain loans for other purposes." *
Some of these landowners besides occupying indigenous land are also keeping indigenous families under slave conditions. At El Alto Parapeti, province Cordillera in Santa Cruz, there are 13 landlords keeping 167 families in such conditions, including 12 families who are in captivity at the Larsen Family's **(Ronald Larsen is a US citizen) property whose land tally 57,144 hectares. On the 4th April 2008 when the INRA representatives led by the Vice-minister of land, Alejandro Almaraz, were attacked with guns by stockbreeders from Caparicito, Ronald Din Larsen was the main instigator to stop the government surveying the area.
"American Aid" has tripled for the regional government who are seeking to divide the country. Recent reports and unclassified documents indicate that the United States appears to support organizations working to undermine national dialogue, the Constitutional reform and other changes. While the Office for Transitional Initiatives functioned in Bolivia, it provided support to fledgling regional governments' with the bulk of its financial support going to departmental governments opposed to the national government. USAID*** and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) ****have supported key opposition organizations and leaders in the eastern states of the 'Media Luna'. During the year starting March 2006, USAID provided 116 grants worth $4,451,249 to strengthen the institutional capacity of departmental governments. In 2008 the Department of State budgeted $10,092,000 to Bolivia under the 'Govern Justly and Democratically,' category and the budget request for 2009 is $28,492,000 for the same program area. We are concerned that this near tripling of spending will be used to support opposition groups or departmental governments, erode democracy and increase the racist persecution of the indigenous population, therefore destabilizing the country.
The lowland elite is fanning the flames of racism and regionalism, determined to split Bolivia rather than allow a just redistribution of resources.
Unfortunately that opposition uses US citizens' taxes to arm assault groups with, fascist and xenophobic tendencies against the poor indigenous population who live in a servile condition.*****
We put our hope in you and request your help in informing US citizens of what their government is doing in their name and in a fraternal alliance we unite forces to make this a better world for all.
In solidarity
Bolivia Solidarity Campaign
boliviasc.org.uk
http://ain-bolivia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=27 Boliviaís agrarian reform initiative www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/transition_initiatives/country/bolivia/rpt0607.html www.ned.org/grants/06programs/grants-lac06.html#bolivia4.- United Nations Press Release
UN Special Rapporteur expresses concern regarding recent events in Bolivia
10 April 2008
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, announced today that he had transmitted to the Government of Bolivia the report on the mission he undertook to the country last December, to be subsequently presented to the Human Rights Council. With reference to recent events that have taken place in Bolivia after his mission, and which directly impinge upon the human rights of indigenous peoples in this country, the Special Rapporteur has made the following statement:
The attacks have occured as the Guarani people are in the process of recognition of their territories.
"I note with concern the intention of the authorities of the Department of Santa Cruz to promote a unilateral referendum on departmental autonomy at the margins of the Political Constitution of the State. The draft statute of autonomy includes a number of provisions of a racist character, including article 161, which would be highly harmful for the indigenous peoples of the department. The human rights of indigenous peoples are guaranteed by the laws of the country, which also include ILO Convention 169 and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These norms must be respected by the government at all levels, especially within the ongoing debate on autonomy. I call on the authorities and the people of Santa Cruz in order to ensure that the legitimate aspiration to departmental autonomy does not lead to abuses of the rights of indigenous peoples".
"I also note with concern, and I strongly condemn, the recent attacks suffered by government officials and members of the Guarani people in the Chaco region of Santa Cruz. The attacks have taken place in the context of the ongoing process of recognition of the traditional territories of the Guarani people, many whose members still live under conditions of serfdom, as I have denounced in the report on my recent mission to Bolivia. The authorities of the Department of Santa Cruz have the obligation to ensure the respect of the rule of law and to prevent and sanction any act of violence that may hinder a pacific solution to old-standing problems related to indigenous peoples' rights to freedom, autonomy and the land".
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The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people carried out an official visit to Bolivia from 25 November to 4 December 2007. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur visited the Department of Santa Cruz, and met with members of Guarani communities that had been recently released from their condition of servitude. The complete report of the mission will soon be public. A preliminary note on the mission is
available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/rapporteur/visits.htm