Working for indigenous rights in Bolivia

Oxfam has been working with the Chiquitano people to achieve recognition of their right to land and territory, to protect their cultural identity, and to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Thanks in part to the Oxfam Indigenous Program in Bolivia, the Chiquitano are now helping redesign their country's political and social landscape.

“I used to be a slave,” said 75-year-old Ignacia Pachuri Vaca, an elder of Palestina, a Chiquitano indigenous community located in the northeastern part of Bolivia. “Now I know my rights and am certain that my grandchildren will not have a life of hardship and slavery like the one I had in my youth. We have organized ourselves and are fighting to change this situation.”

Ignacia's words sum up the struggle of the estimated 100,000 Chiquitano people to achieve recognition of their right to land and territory, to protect their cultural identity, and to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Thanks in part to the Oxfam Indigenous Program in Bolivia, the Chiquitano are now important actors in helping redesign their country's political and social landscape.Oxfam provides support to the Chiquitano and other indigenous communities by assisting them in safeguarding their identity; exercising their civic rights; protecting their natural resources; obtaining titles for their land and territories; and participating in decision-making forums. “We weren't organized before, and the authorities used to ignore our problems. Now, they can't help listening to us,” said Carlos Cuasace, President of the Organization of Chiquitanos Indigenous Peoples (OICH), one of the groups with which Oxfam works.Advocacy work by the OICH and other organizations includes putting pressure on the World Bank and promoting and establishing conditions for the State and enterprises to include respect for indigenous rights in their development plans. The OICH has also helped guarantee active participation of representatives from indigenous communities in Bolivia's local and national governments.The Chiquitano now have a representative in the National Congress, and as a result of demonstrations in front of the Parliament building by indigenous groups including the OICH, a new Hydrocarbon Law in Bolivia includes recognition of the rights of all indigenous peoples and allocates $23 million (about £13 million) of the royalties paid by hydrocarbons companies to indigenous communities.

These changes show the value of developing the capacities of the Chiquitano people and their organizations, which has been done in spite of their limited resources and, in large part, due to Oxfam's continued support.

From Oxfam Great Britain, originally published November 2005

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