Perú: Defensoría del Pueblo saluda aprobación de Ley de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas

Servindi - Perú: Defensoría del Pueblo saluda aprobación de Ley de Consulta a Pueblos Indígenas Servindi, August 23, 2011 .- The Ombudsman's office, Eduardo Vega welcomed the decision of the full Congress, which today approved the Law on Indigenous Peoples Consultation and includes the agreements reached with indigenous organizations in the previous legislature and the recommendations made by the Ombudsman.



The Ombudsman called the approved standard as "a major step in recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and to institutionalize the intercultural dialogue between them and state authorities."



Ivan Lanegra, Deputy Environment, Public Services and Indigenous Peoples, noted that the consultation is aimed at achieving agreement or consent to the measures proposed by the State. "The agreements reached through consultation will be binding on the parties," he said.



Meanwhile, Alicia Abanto, Head of the Indigenous Peoples Program, noted that under the measure approved and in accordance with article 6 of Convention 169 of International Labour Organization (ILO) "the consultation must be done prior to the adoption of measures administrative or legislative measures which may directly affect indigenous peoples. "