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indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples’ summit: defending their right to the land
30-Mar-2007
The fight for land and territory and opposition to neoliberalism and free trade treaties (FTAs) with the United States are the main issues at the Indigenous People’s Summit currently meeting in Iximché, Guatemala.
FTA paves way for biopiracy
15-Sep-2006 Latin America Press
Under CAFTA, indigenous heritage becomes intellectual property for the United States.
Costa Rica: Es obligatorio consultar el TLC a pueblos indígenas
7-Aug-2006 Servindi
“El texto del proyecto de ley que se tramita bajo el expediente No. 16.047, ‘Tratado de Libre Comercio República Dominicana - Centroamérica - Estados Unidos’ (TLC), en virtud de contener disposiciones normativas que pueden afectar directamente a los pueblos indígenas, debe ser consultado a esas comunidades (...)”. Con este párrafo concluye un informe en el cual el Departamento de Servicios Técnicos de la Asamblea Legislativa se pronuncia sobre la obligatoriedad de consultar a las comunidades indígenas del país sobre el polémico tratado comercial.
Ecuador: Government gears up for Oxy fallout
26-May-2006 IPS
Showing the door to Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) and scuttling US free trade negotiations have long been agenda priorities for Ecuadorian social movements and political sectors. But following government steps that have all but made these goals a reality, the atmosphere seems more anxious than celebratory.
Protester killed during Colombia protests
17-May-2006 The Guardian
Farmers and members of indigenous tribes clashed on Tuesday with police during protests against a free-trade agreement with the US and the re-election of President Alvaro Uribe, and protest leaders said an Indian farmer was killed.
Macho men and state capitalism - is another world possible?
24-Apr-2006 Centro de Medios Independientes de Colombia
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is widely seen to be at the center of Latin America’s transformation by building a regional trade bloc through the creation of ALBA and Venezuela’s membership in Mercosur to oppose US dominance and its constant push for free trade agreements with Latin American governments. However, the true democratic debate has been silenced in this simplified two-sided fight between the projects of macho men.
Ecuador: People want referendum on FTA
2-Apr-2006 Prensa Latina
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) has demanded the government Sunday to suspend the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the US and hold a referendum on that deal.
Indigenous-led uprising challenges FTA, US domination
27-Mar-2006 Workers World
Ecuadorian Indigenous organizations are in the leadership of the most recent uprising in that country, which began on March 13. Tired of being lied to, exploited and excluded, they have taken on the courageous road of challenging the Free Trade Agreement that is secretly, behind closed doors, being negotiated with the United States by President Alfredo Palacios.
Indigenous movement proposes to assume its own power
25-Mar-2006 Granma International
Given the rejection by Ecuadorian president Alfredo Palacio of the demands made by the popular sector, the indigenous movement is today to assume power itself and convene a popular consultation on the Free Trade Agreement.
Ecuador: Protests against free trade reach critical juncture
23-Mar-2006 Upside Down World
The Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, March 21 after countrywide protests and roadblocks led by indigenous peasants intensified.
Ecuadorean police fight trade protesters
22-Mar-2006 AP
Police fired tear gas at stone-throwing Indians as they blocked roadways around the capital with rocks and tree trunks Tuesday during protests against free-trade talks with Washington.
Ecuador quells Indian trade protest
21-Mar-2006
Police fired tear gas at dozens of Indian demonstrators trying to reach the government palace Monday to protest free-trade talks with Washington this week that are expected to draw thousands of opponents to the capital.
Indians vow to continue fighting free-trade pact
19-Mar-2006
When Ecuador’s Indians start building roadblocks and organizing other protests, they usually spark fears that the country’s president will soon be toppled.
Indian leader rejects Ecuadorean president’s call to end anti-US free trade protests
17-Mar-2006 AP
The leader of Ecuador’s main Indian movement on Thursday rejected President Alfredo Palacio’s call to end protests against free-trade talks with the United States.
Ecuador: social agitation against FTA
16-Mar-2006 Granma International
The battle against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States is continuing in Ecuador.
Ecuador president calls for calm
16-Mar-2006 BBC
Ecuador’s president has urged Ecuadoreans to stand together after nationwide protests threatened to destabilise the country. The demonstrations have been sparked by ongoing talks with the United States over a possible free trade agreement
Ecuador’s interior minister steps down
16-Mar-2006 AP
Ecuador’s interior minister resigned Wednesday as protests over a US free trade plan spread from the Andean highlands to the oil-producing southeast jungle, where police clashed with demonstrators.
FTAs: Trading away traditional knowledge
15-Mar-2006 GRAIN
Traditional knowledge has come up in a dozen or so FTA drafting processes over the last couple of years. In half of those cases, specific provisions on traditional knowledge were signed.
Ecuador ready to butt US FTA
2-Mar-2006 Prensa Latina
The Ecuadorian government’s aspirations to wrap up the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US by the end of March, are stirring up Thursday grassroots organizations against that deal.
US economic and security interests enhanced by moral trade agreements
16-Dec-2005 USCCB
The chairman of the bishops’ International Policy Committee Monday offered a Catholic perspective on a pending free trade agreement, suggesting that the United States and several Andean nations could simultaneously promote human dignity and fair and sustainable development.