Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of the Ecclesial Jurisdictions of the Peruvian rainforest (San Ramón, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado, San José del Amazonas y Jaén) have issued a statement at the close of their Encounter for the Indigenous Pastoral Ministry of the Peruvian Rainforest, held in Lima, in which they express their concern for the situation of the indigenous peoples that live in one of the most fertile areas of the country, but who often suffer marginalization and poverty. 52 people participated in the Encounter, among them were the Bishops from the pertinent districts and a group of priests, missionaries, and pastoral care workers who work in the area.
According to the Bishops, “for many analysts, the Amazon is today the second most strategic geo-political region in the world, and in Peru, it forms over 60% of the national territory,” with a great diversity of life forms. However, in addition to this diversity, there is also a great diversity of culture, “...vast areas of the Amazon’s population live in conditions of extreme poverty and without the possibility of decent living conditions.” The Bishops are mostly concerned for “the process of private investments in the rainforest; projects stemming from the Law 840 (“The Rainforest Law”) and Laws 1770, 1990, and 1992; the buying and selling of lands and forests; exploration, as well as, mineral and oil exploitation, because all these factors can present a threat to the physical and cultural survival of the indigenous people, as well as increase the social-environmental conflicts of the Amazon.
The Bishops ask that the plans should be made for development that include the Amazon, however without disrespecting the existent cultures, the environment, and human rights. According to the Prelates, in drawing up such plans, some considerations must be made for “the law protection for the indigenous territories, the relationship established by the indigenous people with these lands, the respect for its institutions and authorities, the right to consult, citizen participation, and care for the environment.”
The Bishops made an appeal to the Peruvian government, asking that they work to promote “an effective participation from those who are interested in the organizing and carrying out of plans for the country’s development, in accord with the international norms for the protection of human rights and the indigenous peoples.”
“The Amazon is an important part of the Americas and Peru. We are all united for the defense of life, values, and the progress of the indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon,” the statement concluded. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/2/2008 righe 33, parole 415)
