C A L L F O R I M M E D I A T E A C T I O N

Indian Uprising In Ecuador Protester Killed by Army

Many Wounded and Detained

The Confederation of Indigenous Nations of Ecuador (CONAIE) declared a state of Emergency on October 9, 1992 after peaceful protests throughout the country were repressed violently.

In the province of Imbabura, Segundo Caiza was killed and Manuel Perugachi, Manuel Tuquerres, Casimiro Quilumba, Avelino Farinango, Francisco Chicaiza and Belisario Sanchez were wounded when the armed forces opened fire on demonstrators.

In the province of Cotopaxi, Carlos Camacho and Adelaida Andrade were detained. In the province of Tungurahua there have been arrests.

In the province of Cayambe, Tupac Churu Chumbi, Alfredo Iguango, Esperanza Silvia Tulevio, Guadalupe Esther Tulevio and Yolanda Andrango (13 years old) are being detained in the prison in Cayambe.

In view of these acts, the base organizations which make up CONAIE have decided to continue the Indigenous Uprising and at the same time reject the use of violence. "Due to the dramatic situation in which we find ourselves, we decree a State of Emergency of the Indigenous Nations of Ecuador."

"We call on the entire Ecuadorian People to reject these acts of violence and to participate in solidarity with the Grand March on Quito, Monday, October 12th.

CONAIE and its member organizations have organized a series of protests in response to the Ecuadorian government's total indifference toward the demands of the indigenous population. The protests were planned to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the colonialist European invasion of the Americas.

CONAIE presented its "Government Program" to president Sixto Duran on July 20, 1992 which included demands that the government change the constitution to make Ecuador officially a multi-ethnic state, resolve land conflicts and support bilingual education.

CHAUPI TUTAPI PACARIMUN - Awaken in the Middle of the Night

ALLPAMANTA, CAUSAIMANTA, JATARISHUN!! - For Land, For Life, We Rise Up!!

Please Send letters and Faxes to: Sr. Sixto Duran Presidente de la Republica Palacio de Gobierno Garcia Noreno 1043 Quito, Ecuador Phone 593 2 563 469, Fax 593 2 515 408

Send copies to:
CONAIE
Av. Granados 2553 y 6 de Diciembre Casilla 1717 1253 Quito Ecuador
Phone: (593)(2)248 930 Fax: (593)(2)442 271

(Posted in Native-l on Mon, 12 Oct 1992 by SAIIC (saiic@igc.apc.org))