[NYTr] Venez Natl Assembly Passes 35 Indigenous Rights Laws
 
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 18:24:16 -0500 (CDT)

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Radio Havana Cuba
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Venezuela National Assembly Passes 35 Laws to Protect Indigenous Rights

Caracas, August 15 (RHC)-The Venezuelan parliament has passed at least 35
laws supporting the country's indigenous groups. According to statistics,
there are some 36 ethnic groups in Venezuela.

National Assembly (AN) deputy, Noheli Pocaterra told the press that
legislators would continue fighting for indigenous rights because "big
companies are taking their lands without permission, and for them land is
sacred."

In the latest survey, made in 2001, only half a million of 25 million
inhabitants declared themselves to be indigenous.

However, it is difficult to know exactly how many indigenous inhabitants
are living in Venezuela. Some specialists say that the number is far higher
than 6000 people divided into 36 ethnic groups.

Pocaterra, herself a Wayuu indian, argues that indigenous communities have
been relegated by big businesses taking their lands without permission or
prior warning.

The lawmaker states although laws have been passed in Parliament defending
indigenous groups, there are still several important laws that need to be
passed.
       
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