President condemned for uncontacted tribes policy

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President Correa has been condemned by Ecuador’s national Indigenous peoples’ organisation CONAIE over his policy towards uncontacted Indians.

‘Correa’s regime is promoting oil production on land inhabited by uncontacted tribes,’ says a statement from CONAIE.

The statement was made in an open letter to the World Social Forum being held in the Amazon town of Belem in Brazil, which President Correa is attending. It comes after the recent announcement by government ministers they intend to protect Ecuador’s uncontacted Indians from illegal loggers.

The only uncontacted Indians in Ecuador are members of the Waorani tribe. They are believed to be split into two groups, known as the Tagaeri and the Taromenane.

CONAIE’s statement also accuses President Correa of ‘failing to recognise Indigenous peoples’ fundamental rights’ and labelling Indigenous people as ‘terrorists’, ‘delinquents’ and ‘fundamentalists’ when they speak out in defence of their land and rights.