PROGRAM

"Strategic Framework to Protect Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact"

Base Document for the Technical Exchange Mission to Cuzco and Madre de Dios in Peru with ACTO Member Countries

21-30 May 2014

Introduction

One of the components of the program "Strategic Framework for the Development of a Regional Agenda to Protect Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact" developed by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is to contribute to protecting isolated and initial contact indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin through policies and actions agreed between governments, indigenous peoples and organizations, and governmental organizations with experience on the matter.

In this sense, the Republic of Peru through its Ministry of Culture proposes an Field Mission for agents involved in protecting and promoting PIACI (Spanish acronym for Isolated Indigenous Peoples and Initial Contact) rights as counterpart to the program. This initiative aims specifically to offer a practical experience to governmental officials from ACTO Member Countries interested in sharing knowledge about protection policies for isolated and recently contacted peoples aiming to increase multilateral work on the matter.

Its objective falls under Program Component 5, particularly in terms of creating technical capacity and commitment in ACTO Member Countries to protect isolated indigenous peoples:

Component 5. Regional Strategic Framework Sustainability Tools

OBJECTIVE: To ensure the sustainability of this Regional Strategic Protection Framework, this component seeks to strengthen and improve the ability of participating countries and social groups in adjacent communities, particularly indigenous groups, to carry out the necessary surveillance and protection activities by: (i) deepening knowledge about indigenous peoples in isolation or initial contact, their rights and territories in each country; (ii) training relevant stakeholders in specific protection methodologies; and (iii) implementing a communication and information exchange strategy to sensitize society and facilitate regional monitoring.

2) Background

In the last decade, Peru advanced substantially in recognizing the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples in isolation and initial contact. According to Law 28736, craftedto protect indigenous and original peoples in isolation and initial contact, the Peruvian State recognizes its obligation to protect their lives and health while respecting their decision not to contact the rest of society or their particularly ways of doing so. This law also highlights the importance of protecting their culture and traditional lifestyles, recognizing their right to owning the lands they occupy, as well as to restricting the entry of foreigners to their lands. By establishing indigenous reservations, it ensures their free access and extensive use of their lands and natural resources.

To fulfill these duties, the Peruvian State is organizing itself by developing policies to safeguard their rights, establishing intangible areas and developing protection mechanisms coordinated between the various sectors of the State and civil society, in benefit of indigenous peoples in isolation and initial contact.

During the CODIR virtual meeting held on January 30, 2014 the Peruvian delegation proposed aField Mission to Cusco and Madre de Dios regions with the participation of the Member Countries. Country representatives must have the following profiles: one (1) technical expert/personnel with experience in matters related to the protection of the isolated indigenous peoples and initial contact and one (1) technical expert/personnel with experience in indigenous healthcare. Participation costs of international delegates will be covered by this program, with contributions from the Government of Peru. It is important to note that due to operational and logistical problems it will not be possible to hire translators/interpreters for the exchange mission. As such, all participants should know Spanish to communicate well and take full advantage of the mission.

3) Field Mission to Cuzco and Madre de Dios Regions

Cuzco and Madre de Dios regions are home to various isolated indigenous peoples and initial contact that live mainly within Manu National Park and the territorial reservations of Madre de Dios, Kugapakori, Nahua, Nanti and others. Through the technical mission, the Ministry of Culture proposes to share with the Member Countries part of its activities to protect the PIACI in these areas in coordination with different sectors, levels of government and civil society.

Problems in the area

The mission will show what is being done in the areas above to tackle certain specific problems:

  • Healthcare for recently contacted Machiguenga groups.- Various Machinguenga groups in initial contact currently live within Manu National Park, specifically in the Piñi Piñi and Manu river basins. Through the mission, the participants will learn of emergency situations and how the local health units responded to them, sharing experience with the authorities in charge of providing healthcare for these populations (in Pillcopata, Salvación and Boca Manu), with emphasis on progress, challenges and difficulties.
  • Situations of undesired contact between isolated groups and the indigenous community at large.- In the last years sightings of Mashco Piro isolated peoples living in Manu National Park and the Territorial Reservation of Madre de Dios have grown considerably in locations increasingly closer to native communities, villages and intense demographic transit routes, particularly along the Alto Madre de Dios River. This has increased the risk of undesired contact and land use conflicts with the local populations. Mission participants will go to the native communities of Shipetiari and Diamante as well as to Boca Manu, where Mashco Piro people have been seen, to learn of the problems they are facing.
  • Signaling in Puerto Atalaya, Yanayacu and Boca Manu along the Alto Madre de Dios River. Participants will oversee the placement of panels signaling areas of risk of meeting isolated groups along the Alto Madre de Dios River.

Objectives:

In this context, the technical mission will allow ACTO Member Countries to share and exchange experience related to:

  • Healthcare for indigenous peoples in initial contact.
  • Responding to emergency situations caused by isolated groups appearing onto communal lands and local villages.
  • Preventing and managing conflicts in situations of contact between isolated peoples and local populations.

Considering the National Workshop to Technically Revise and Update a Health Strategy to be shared and concerted at the Regional Levelthat will take place on May 19-20, 2013 with representatives of Peru’s main governmental and non-governmental actors, international delegates will have a chance to receive information about the health situation of indigenous peoples in the country, especially PIACI.

Activities Program:

Activity / Logistics / Accommodation
May 19 / National Health Workshop / Hotel / Lima
May 20 / National Health Workshop / Hotel / Lima
May 21 / Prepare for the mission / Meeting Room / Cuzco
May 22 / Travel to Cusco - Pillcopata / Land transportation / Pillcopata
May 23 / Travel to Pillcopata – Atalaya - Salvación / Land transportation / Salvación
May 24 / Travel to Salvación – Shintuya – Eden - Shipetiari / River transportation / Shipetiari
May 25 / Travel to Shipetiari – Yanayacu – Puesto Mashco -Diamante – Boca Manu / River transportation / Boca Manu
May 26 / Travel to Boca Manu – Limonal (inside Manu National Park) / River transportation / Machiguenga House
May 27: / Visit to Cocha Salvador (inside Manu National Park) / River transportation / Machiguenga House
May 28 / Travel to Limonal – Boca Manu / River transportation / Boca Manu
May 29 / Travel to Boca Manu – Boca Colorado – Puerto Maldonado / River - Land transportation / Puerto Maldonado
May 30 / Prepare the field report in Puerto Maldonado Closing ceremony (VMI) / Meeting Room / Puerto Maldonado
May 31 / Participants go back home / -

4 – REQUIREMENTS

All participants must present an international vaccination certificate against Yellow Fever and having been vaccinated against: Influenza (currently circulating serotype), Hepatitis B, Measles and Diphtheria.

Personal equipment

Participants must carry the following field equipment:

  • Field backpack (75 liters)
  • Tent
  • Mattress
  • Raincoat
  • Lantern
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Clothes: cold weather clothes (jackets, etc.), rubber boots, trousers, short sleeve shirts and hat.
  • Any other appropriate gear for field expedition.

5) Organization:

ACTO

Coordinating Office of Indigenous Affairs,

Coordinator, Sharon Austin

0055-61-3298 0158

Technical Advisor, Carlos Macedo

0055-61-3364 3362

Ministry of Culture of Peru – Vice-Ministry of Interculturality

Director General for Peoples' Rights, Mayu Velasco Anderson

Department of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, Ramón Rivero Mejía

Department of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, Luis Felipe Torres

, 511-961518298 511-6189393 (2542)