Urgent request for help

From CONAIE to non-governmental organizations

This message is written in English, but if possible, please answer in Spanish, thank you. Would you also kindly forward this message to non-governmental organizations or your friends that might be interested in the matter, thank you!

In Ecuador we have been for the last three decades struggling against the political hegemony of the Creoles. During this decade we have been demanding recognition of the political, economic, social, cultural and spiritual rights of Indigenous nationalities. In our opinion, these rights should be included in the constitution. Very recently these demands for recognition have reached the level of national debate. It has taken a lot of effort to come this far: various national revolts, thousands of kilometers of marching and other ways of protesting and communication. All this in order to make the governments and politicians understand the need of diverse society.

In the political crisis of February of 1996 the participation of the Indigenous nationalities helped end the corrupt governing-period of Abdalá Bucaram. After the crisis Indigenous nationalities and other social movements established in co-operation with the congress and temporary government a resolution called "The People's Mandate" ( Mandato Popular). The National Constituent Assembly (Asamblea National Constituyente) was included in this mandate as an alternative for a state without identity, as an alternative to a permanent governmental crisis and corrupt administration. CONAIE and other social movements established the Constituent Assembly , which has mobilized enormous groups of Indigenous people.

On October 13, 1997 400 representatives of the Indigenous nationalities and social movements opened the first session of the Constituent Assembly in Quito. By the October 17, various subjects of discussion were given to special comissiones. During the following weeks the results are being discussed more deeply in local meetings all over the country. The final discussions for the Assembly are being held on the second session of the constituent assembly on 21st -24th of November, 1997. The historical final document is going to be introduced to the public on 25th of November, 1997.

We feel it is our responsibility to continue the process we have started; we want to legitimate our rights as representatives of various nationalities. In this process we have already got help and solidarity from the international community, nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) both in local and international level. However, we still have serious economical difficulties in making the second session of the National Assembly come about. Because of this we are kindly asking for your solidarity for the Indigenous nationalities of Ecuador. Our need for help at this most important moment is very urgent. We wish you to help us change the history for the future generations of our people.

We maybe have asked for help a dozen times before, but this time the request is very special. We actually have a chance to gain a political objective that has not previously been possible in the states of Latin America. This is achievement will be gained by us, not by the governments or the colonialists. We are also facing a beginning of a new era; a new process that will hopefully result in a state that sees the diversity of both humans and nature as one of it primary concerns. Once again, we kindly ask for help from you, who have supported us before. We are finally going to be able to make a dream come true. A dream, that past generations have fought for. A dream, that can benefit the future generations of our people. But we need your help. Sincerely yours,

ANTONIO VARGAS
President of the CONAIE

1. General Information

Address of the CONAIE:

Avenida Los Granados 2553 y 6 de Diciembre
Tel: 248-930; 444-991; telefax: (593-2) 442-271
Casilla Postal 17-17-1235,
Quito, Ecuador.
E-mail: conaie@ecuanex.net.ec

Financial aid:

Banco del Pacífico,
Cta. Cte. 263268-3 (in dollars)
CONAIE Address of the Bank: Avenida Naciones Unidas 630 y Avenida De los Shiris,
Tel: 433-006 y fax: 437-600, Quito, Ecuador.

The remaining budget:

$ 35,075 (thirty-five thousand and seventy-five dollars)

Duration of project:

2 months: November and December of 1997

2. Background

The political and economical interests of the dominating class have characterized all the 18 constitutions the state of Ecuador has had so far. Both the collective and individual rights of the Indigenous people have been neglected. The nonsatisfying contents of constitution are a part of a crisis of the state in general: the poor economical situation, disrespect of the basic needs of citizens and irrational usage of natural resources, for example.

The National Assembly was created in order to rise the voices of Indigenous people and members of other movements, who have constantly been criticizing both the present constitution and the previous ones. The new constitution being created by the Assembly is going to be more responsible one. The social diversity (of Indigenous people and other social groups) and responsible usage of the natures resources are included in it.

3. The project

CONAIE has started a series of meetings, sessions, courses, seminars and conferences in order to establish the contents of a new constitution.

We are in need of technical equipment for the preparation-work. It is for example needed for the workshops, which are arranged for the 11 Indigenous nationalities of the state of Ecuador.

The final document for the new constitution was preliminary discussed in the first session of the Assembly in the mid-October. 450 representatives (of which 100 are ones of CONAIE) from 222 organizations from all over the country attended this meeting. The representatives were divided into 5 commissions, which discuss the formation of the state, formation of new way of governing and the economical rights, as well as duties.

The final document is being put together between 20th of October and 15th of November. The representatives have a responsibility to spread the information on the local level. The 450 representatives reunite on 21st - 24th of October in order to have a decisive debate on the document before introducing it to the public.

What we still have ahead of us is the massive campaign of spreading the results of the Assembly to the public. In this process we have major economical difficulties. The campaign we have planned includes radio- and television-commercials on the national channels, advertisements in the main-newspapers, posters, brochures etc.

4. The CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador)

CONAIE is a national organization, that defends the rights and interests of the Indigenous nationalities of Ecuador. Organization was founded on 24th August in 1989. Approximately 70 % of Ecuador's Indigenous population are members of CONAIE.

CONAIE is divided into three regional organizations: CONFENIAE (Amazonia-region), ECUARUNARI (the sierra) and COINCE (coastal area). Each of the three is further divided into local organizations. The main-office of CONAIE is located in Quito.

Few of the principal-aims of CONAIE are:

• Organize, define and guarantee the economical, social, cultural and political rights of it's members.
• Unite the Indigenous nationalities of Ecuador.
• Defend the integrity and culture of the Indigenous nationalities, and maintain the knowledge of their history and cultural traditions.
• Promote the international relations in order to have co-operation, respect and solidarity between all the peoples of the world.

5. Who benefits from the project

The project of a new constitution will benefit the 12 Indigenous nationalities of Ecuador: Awá, Chachi, Tsachila, Embera, Siona, Secoya, Cofán, Huaorani, Shuar, Achuar and the nationality of Quechua, which consists of people of Imbaya, Cayambi, Natabuela, Otavalo, Quitu, Panzaleo, Chubuleo, Salasaca, Guaranga, Puruhae, Cañari, Saraguro, Quijos and Canelos. From the 11 million inhabitants of Ecuador approximately 4 million are Indigenous, which is about 40 % of the population.

In addition to the Indigenous people, the project will benefit various other social movements, These movements represent both Mestizos and black population of Ecuador. Rural and urban people as well as the labor -organizations are represented in these movements.

6. Objectives of the project

a) Define the ultimate aims and results of the National Assembly.
b) Spread the information through the main media.
c) Guarantee the participation of the 11 Indigenous nationalities in the second round of the National Assembly in November of this year.

7. Activities

• Organizing the workshops, which aim to make the people understand the importance of the new constitution. There are going to be three workshops: in the regions of Coast, Sierra and Amazonía.
• Organizing a campaign to spread the information.
• Participation of the 100 representatives on the second round of Nacional Assembly.

8. Budget in dollars

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