TIPNIS Update:
The protesters defending and representing the 64 communities residing in the official indigenous autonomous territory of TIPNIS resumed their march on October 1st, after police brutality and repression injured and arrested hundreds of protesters. Tear-gas, clubs, and rubber bullets were used to stop the march, resulting in crowds disbursing, children missing, and the death of a small baby.
Soon after, Defence Minister Cecilia Chacon resigned, opposing the government’s decision to use such tactics in a peaceful protest. A few hours later, Interior Minister Sacha Lorenti – and former Human Rights Assembly President – resigned after being criticized for how he handled the situation.
The proposed highway cuts right down the middle of the autonomous indigenous territory that was granted to the 64 indigenous communities residing inside TIPNIS by Evo in 2009. According to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and International Labour Organization Convention 169 ratified by Evo, the Bolivian government must practice ‘prior consultation’ and negotiate and come to an agreement with the TIPNIS population (Bolivian Constitution articles 30, 343, 352: UNDRIP articles 19 and 32: ILO 169 article 6). Only after the protest commenced did the government start the consultation process – after which plans to go through with the highway had already been established. The contract with the Brazilian company OAS had been negotiated prior to any attempt to consult TIPNIS peoples and highway construction has begun on both sides of TIPNIS. Again, this violates the right of indigenous peoples to decide on all development projects within their sovereign territory (UNDRIP articles 18 and 23: ILO 169 article 7). Further, the highway would break the Environment Act and the Protected Areas Act, as TIPNIS is a National Park.
One study suggests that if the highway were to be built, 64% of the national park would be deforested. http://www.pieb.com.bo/sipieb_nota.php?idn=5541
The ‘cocaleros’ strongly support the TIPNIS highway, as it will improve their distribution channels and could potentially lead to increased coca plantations as the ‘development’ in the park would inevitable lead to deforestation. Miners in Oruro and Potosi and others have shown support for the initiative – focusing on the benefits of increased distribution for goods and services (agriculture, electricity, public services) – although these groups do not live within the TIPNIS territory.
The main concerns for the protesters are deforestation, oil and gas exploration, and an influx of cocaleros, increasing coca plantations and causing soil degradation. They are not opposed to the highway – as long is it does not go through their autonomous territory and destroy their habitat, livelihood, and ecosystem. An alternate route around TIPNIS would undoubtedly settle the matter completely.
3 Blindspots:
Neglecting to fully assess the situation, Bolivia’s Highway Authority (ABC) and the Brazilian OAS completed the contract for the highway before:
(a) conducting a study to define alternative routes, keeping in mind their financial and environmental costs;
(b) conducting an Environmental Impact Study;
(c) Prior consultation with TIPNIS peoples.
Surely, if one were to conduct an environmental impact assessment as well as an economic assessment involving internalizing the externalities (env’t/social/cultural costs), then an alternative route would be much more feasible.
Brazil’s interests:
Brazil has huge interests in the project as part of the many highways proposed with the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in S.A (IIRSA) which make Brazil-China trade much more viable and efficient. The Brazilian state development bank is actually funding roughly 80% ($332 million) of the highway project. The Brazilian company responsible for the project is OAS – a group supported and affiliated with Lula.
In response to the ‘prior consultation’ clause, VP Alvaro Garcia Linera stated that ‘prior consultation’ is only an obligation when projects involve natural resource exploitation.
Here’s a letter from Pablo Solon, Bolivia’s former Ambassador to the United Nations and chief climate negotiator: http://climate-connections.org/2011/09/29/letter-from-pablo-solon-on-the-tipnis-highway-controversy/
As the march continues its way to La Paz, Evo must certainly be nervous. An indigenous protest and blockade in the capital city, likely getting support from El Alto, could have drastic effects. In fact this type of protest in 2003 led to the rise of Evo himself. With the support of the peoples of El Alto, this protest could certainly lead to the downfall of Evo.
Conflict could erupt:
Social movements allied with Evo’s MAS party have said that they will organize a counter march in La Paz on October 12th. These organizations include the Confederation of Bolivian Campesino Workers Unions (CSUTCB), the National Confederation of Native Indigenous Peasant Women “Bartolina Sisa” (CNMCIOB BS), and the Confederation of Intercultural Communities of Bolivia (CSCIB).
These movements will confront the two movement in representing TIPNIS – CIDOB and CONAMAQ.
Evo’s Unconstitutional referendum call:
Although Evo has called for a referendum on the issue – leaving the two states (departments) of Beni and Cochabamba to vote on the highway – this too is unconstitutional (and violates ILO Convention 169). In such a referendum, the majority of the people deciding on the highway would be outside the TIPNIS boundaries. The people who should be voting on the issue are those living within the TIPNIS boundaries, and these people have clearly been voicing their opinion on the issue.
Evo must decide between several competing groups:
1.) Cocaleros vs. TIPNIS indigenous
2.) (potential) economic growth vs. social/environment/cultural preservation & sustainability
3.) Lula (Dilma) and Brazil economic interests vs. The peoples of Bolivia, the Constitution, and his own reputation is the defender of Mama Pacha and indigenous rights.
Other news issued today, October 6th:
La Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC) defended the highway and said the contract with Brazil’s OAS is legal.
Police involved in the protest abuses have stated that, in fact, Evo ordered the intervention to stop the march.
The Central Workers Union (COB) called another strike today – 48 hours – as they are requesting a 2% increase to their salaries, as agreed earlier in the year. Moreover, the strike is also in support of TIPNIS.
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