One protester has been killed and many more are injured following clashes between indigenous tribal people and Ecuadorian police over proposed water and land rights laws.

Actions around the country started on 27 September 2009 over indigenous fears the government’s new water laws would privatise water sources, give priority access to water to the mining industry and slash regulations for water contamination.

The conflict has left at least one confirmed dead, Bosco Wisum, a teacher and member of the Shuar nation, and some 49 civilians and police injured.

President of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon CONFENIAE, Tito Puenchir, called the attack the start of a ‘civil war’ and called on the United Nations to intervene.

President Rafael Correa appealed for calm on national radio calling for ‘dialogue’ with the protesters. On 5 October 2009, Correa and indigenous leaders met and agreed to institutionalise a permanent dialogue between the government and the native communities.

Indigenous groups had a leading role in overthrowing two previous Ecuadorian presidents.

Related news:

• Mexico, Mexico City: water scarcity could cause “spiral of violence”, human rights commission warn, Source Weekly, 21 Sep 2009
• Paraguay: Indigenous Peoples in peril, Source Weekly, 28 Apr 2009

Source: Luke Walsh, Edie.net, 02 Oct 2009 ; Francisca Pouiller, Mining Weekly, 08 Oct 2009

Tags: latin america & caribbean, participatory management, policies & legislation, water resources management