BackOmbudsman Eduardo Vega expressed his satisfaction and welcomes the decision of the Congress to adopt the Law on Consultation of the Indigenous Peoples on 23 August 2011. Vega called the act “a provision which constitutes a seminal step for the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples and for institutionalising the intercultural dialogue between them and the authorities”. Furthermore, he emphasised that the decision followed the recommendations of the People’s Defender.
The act provides for a consultation process with the representatives of the indigenous population before administrative or legislative measures which directly affect them can be adopted.
Vega recognised the efforts of indigenous organisations and other institutions which have contributed to the adoption of the act. He also expressed his confidence that it would help to ensure the recognition of indigenous rights and reasserted his call for continued efforts towards a just and more inclusive state without discrimination.
Source: Defensoría del Pueblo, Peru, Press Release Nº 243/OCII/DP/2011
