The Project of Forming The Political Constitution of Ecuador

CONAIE wants to emphasize, that the main idea of the proposal is "unity in diversity" (unidad en la diversidad). CONAIE wants to form a plurinational state, but it does not aim to divide the state or territories or to create new states within the state.

The preface of the constitution-proposal includes (among others) the following statements:

(Art. 1)

• Spanish and Quechua (Kichwa) are the official languages. The other languages of the Indigenous nationalities are official in the regions and areas where they are used. They also form a part of the national culture.
• The official symbols of the state of Ecuador are the flag, the national anthem and the escutcheon. The (Indigenous) nationalities may also have their own symbols.

(Art. 2)

• It is the responsibility of the state to strengthen the unity in diversity and to guarantee the rights of both individuals and nationalities. State also has to make sure that the natural resources are being used in a way that does not harm the environment or the people.
• State ought to support the science and technological development. It also has to increase the knowledge on fine arts and culture.
• State has to secure that all the social groups have a possibility to participate the political administration of the state.

(Art. 3)

• The state of Ecuador proclaims peace and international cooperation.
• The state condemns the use of violence as a solution to conflicts.
• The state of Ecuador condemns all forms of colonialism, neocolonialism and ethnic discrimination or segregation. The state recognizes peoples right to liberate themselves from these oppressive systems. The plurinational state aims to overcome all forms of oppression and discrimination.

The first part of the constitution-proposal states the following under a title "About the rights and guarantees of the Indigenous nationalities":

(Art: 28) The Indigenous nationalities posses the same political, economical, social and cultural rights as the other citizens. However, the Indigenous nationalities also have some specific rights of their own:

1. Rights concerning the territories determined by law, rights to the land and its usage and rights over the natural resources. At the same time, the unity of the country is protected.

2. Right to maintain and further develop their own way of organizing the social, political, juridical and productive sectors of their territories.

3. Right to belong to an Indigenous community or nationality.

4. Right to develop their own identity, language and culture.

5. Right to stay in their land and territories, and not to be forced out.

6. Right to establish their own information-channels on their own languages.

7. Right to maintain and strengthen their own spiritual and material relation to the land, territories, waters and other resources that they traditionally have possessed and mastered.

8. Right to maintain their way of taking care of the biodiversity.

9. Right to political participation and representation.

10. Right to the appraisal of the heritage and knowledge of their ancestors.

11. Right to practice their own ways of juridical administration and healthcare.

12. Right to autonomously take care of the bilingual education system.

13. Right to keep their forms of autonomy on their land and territories.

14. Right to freely participate in all the institutions and administrative organizations that are responsible for the adaption and practice of law, political administration and different kinds of projects.

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