Sunday, November 30, 2008

BOLIVIA'S NEW CONSTITUTION MAKES WAR ILLEGAL

Article 10 of Bolivia's proposed new constitution, due to be ratified in a national referendum on January 25, 2009, should be of special interest to the peace, disarmament and nonviolence communities around the world.

In the hopes that Evo and Bolivia's process of transformation will gain new supporters within these communities, I've excerpted and translated a few of key articles from Chapter Two: Principles, Values and Goals of the State. (I'll hopefully get to more of it soon.)
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Article 7. Sovereignty resides in the Bolivian people, it is exercised in a direct and delegated way. The functions and attributes of the organs of public power derive from it, through delegation. It is inalienable and indefeasible.

Article 8. I. The state assumes and promotes as ethical and moral principles of pluralist society: ama qhilla, ama llulla, ama suwa (do not be lazy, do not be a liar or a thief), suma qamaña (live well), ñandereko (harmonious life), teko kavi (good life), ivi maraei (land without evil) and qhapaj ñan (path or noble life).

II. The state is based on the values of unity, equality, inclusiveness, dignity, freedom, solidarity, reciprocity, respect, complementarity, harmony, transparency, balance, equal opportunities, social and gender equity in participation, common welfare, responsibility, social justice, distribution and redistribution of goods and social goods, to live well.

Article 9. The following are goals and essential functions of the State, in addition to those established by the Constitution and the law:

1. Constitute a just and harmonious society, founded in decolonization, without discrimination or exploitation, with full social justice to consolidate the multi-identities.
2. Ensure the welfare, development, security and protection and equal dignity of individuals, nations, peoples and communities, and promote mutual respect and intracultural, intercultural and multilingual dialogue.
3. Reaffirm and consolidate the unity of the country, and preserve multi-national diversity as historical and human heritage.
4. Ensure compliance with the principles, values, rights and duties recognized and enshrined in the Constitution.
5. Ensure people's access to education, health and work.
6. Promote and ensure responsible and planned use of natural resources, and promote its industrialization through the development and strengthening of the productive base in its various dimensions and levels, as well as environmental conservation, for the welfare of present and future generations.

Article 10. I. Bolivia is a pacifist country that promotes the culture of peace and the right to peace, and cooperation among peoples of the region and the world, in order to contribute to mutual understanding, to equitable development and the promotion of multiculturalism, with full respect for the sovereignty of states.

II. Bolivia rejects as a solution to disputes and conflicts between states any war of aggression, and reserves the right to self-defense in case of aggression that compromises the independence and integrity of the state.

III. The installation of foreign military bases in Bolivia is prohibited.

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Friday, October 24, 2008

BOLIVIA VOTES ON NEW CONSTITUTION - Jan 25, 2009

here's are a very good article from Democracy Center about the march and rally that led to Congress agreeing on a date for a referendum on the new Constitution.

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Morales and Opposition Agree to a January 25 Vote on New Constitution*


Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Just before 1pm – before a crowd 100,000 strong, that packed Plaza Murillo so tightly that even elbow room was scarce – President Evo Morales signed into law a measure setting a January vote on his party's embattled proposal for a new constitution.

Approval of the law caps a process that began more than two years ago with election of delegates to a constitution-writing Constituent Assembly. That process ran through a national battle over how many votes should be required to approve it; violence over demands by Sucre that it be named the country's capital; a political showdown in a voter referendum last August; and finally a week of violence in September in Pando and Santa Cruz that left more than 30 people dead.

The vote by Congress today was supported by more than 2/3 of its members and by Morales' MAS party along with the three major parties of the opposition, PODEMOS, UN, and MNR. The vote on the constitution is set for January 25, 2009.

read the rest here: http://democracyctr.org/blog/

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

REFOUNDING BOLIVIA THROUGH DEMOCRATIC MEANS

[ a very good article about the proposed new Constitution. ]

by Raul Burbano

Bolivian President Evo Morales has called for a national referendum on the country's new draft constitution on December 7. The demand of the Bolivian people for a new and socially, politically and economically inclusive constitution is at the heart of the present political upheaval in that country.

Right-wing forces representing the country's traditional ruling oligarchy have launched a secessionist movement to Balkanize the country, in an attempt to block the constitutional referendum. They have organized murderous fascist gangs to terrorize the population.

They are backed by the U.S. government, whose ambassador, Philip Goldberg, has recently been expelled from Bolivia for his support of the opposition and openly admitted interference in Bolivian political life.

On the other side of the pendulum the vast majority of the Bolivians, more than 67% of whom just voted support President Evo Morales in a recall referendum.

The constitutional struggle in Bolivia has thus become linked to the broader regional struggle in Latin America of who will benefit from its wealth – the masses of the continent or its traditional oligarchy backed by Washington.

The demand for a new constitution is not limited to Bolivia. In fact, over the past 15 years there's been a demand for a Constituent Assembly to propose such a document in virtually every Andean country in Latin America; Colombia (1991), Peru (1993), Ecuador (1998), and Venezuela (1999). All countries have written or modified their Constitutions. In contrast to some of these experiences, the demand for a constitution in Bolivia emerged from grassroots movements and has widespread national support.

Lengthy constitutional struggle

Bolivia's demand for a Constituent Assembly is not a recent development and goes back to the early 1990s. It emanated from the Guarani people with their "Great March" from the eastern lowlands of Bolivia to La Paz; their slogan "Land, Territory and Dignity" was rooted in the demand for a Constituent Assembly. Then in early 2000 we saw the demand for a Constituent Assembly taken up by both urban and rural social movements who had suffered at the hands of previous governments' neoliberal policies. This culminated in the Water Wars of Cochabamba, where residents poured into the streets to protest Bechtel's takeover of their water system and attempted nationalization of their gas – hence the Gas Wars in La Paz. It was during this turbulent period that the call for a Constituent Assembly merged with the call for a referendum on the gas issue.

In 2005 the MAS (Movimiento al Socialismo) under Evo Morales was elected under a platform to "refound" the country's political institutions through a Constituent Assembly. This was seen as the only way to bring about change and address the endemic inequalities in the country. The magnitude of inequality that the MAS is trying to rectify can be summed up by the issue of land. According to the United Nations' Development Program, 25 million hectares of prime farmland is controlled by 100 families. In contrast, the remaining five million hectares of farmland in the country are shared among two million campesinos. This profound inequality is endemic and represents what is being challenged with the new constitution.

Constituent Assembly

The Law Convoking the Constituent Assembly resulted from a negotiated process between the political parties in the Bolivian Congress and the executive branch headed by Evo Morales. Bolivians in each of the 70 voting districts elected three delegates. The party that received the most votes sent two representatives from the district and the second or third place party sent one, thus guaranteeing that no party could monopolize the assembly. The only condition was that a minimum of 30% of the delegates had to be women. On July 2, 2006, Bolivians elected 255 delegates for the Constituent Assembly. The MAS sent 137 delegates (64 were women), the opposition 99, and the rest were independents.

There are 411 articles in the new constitution. Many are progressive and outright revolutionary promising to refound the country to the benefit of the majority. The new Constitution is controversial, but the majority of Bolivians, the indigenous people, fully support it, as was seen in the August 2008 recall referendum.

Focus of controversy

The following are articles or sections of articles from the new constitution that are most important to the indigenous majority of Bolivia and also the most controversial.

  • Bolivia is a unitary, plurinational, communitarian and democratic State: This means that all 36 peoples, cultures, languages have the same rights and opportunities, and are recognized equally before the law, institutions, and society. It refers to a Bolivian unity that respects autonomy – i.e. municipal, departmental, regional, indigenous-originario, campesino and peasant autonomies. This guarantees the unity of the state and the democratic decentralization of power.
  • Plurinational public administration: This refers to all public functionaries and requires them to know the dominant indigenous language of the region where they work. This will enable them to be able communicate with the people they represent. They are also to know the Spanish language, to enable then to communicate with the rest of the Bolivians; and a foreign language, as a link to the outside world.
  • The nationalization of natural resources, renewable and non-renewable, under the control and ownership of the Bolivian people: This would forbid the ownership of gas, oil, mining resources, water, land, and forests by foreigners. All natural resources will be the property of Bolivians, for use by Bolivians for the benefit of Bolivians, and administered by the state.
  • Sovereign natural resources: It is totally prohibited for non-state organizations to directly involve themselves in the administration, management, control and preservation of forests, parks, and natural reserves, as well as biodiversity, all of which are under the control of the state.
  • Social and communitarian economy: The state will participate in the strategic sectors of the economy. Foreign private investment will be subordinated to national development plans. Private property should guarantee that it plays an effective social function for the benefit of human beings. Ownership in the economy will be public, private and communitarian. Medium and small rural producers, agrarian communities and productive associations will receive state protection, economic support, credits, technology, and infrastructure in order to guarantee the well being of society. A mixed economy is proposed to reassure business interests and maintain market stability.
  • Expropriation without indemnification of latifundios: The goal is to redistribute land amongst producers including those from the countryside and city who are willing to produce for the benefit of society. This is a major blow to the giant landholders – the Ronald Larsens and Branko Marinkovics of the Media Luna (eastern) departments.
  • Reelection and revocation by popular mandate of any elected authority: Never again will authorities be untouchable owners of their positions. The people are sovereign and the people can ratify or change their authorities when they so desire.
  • Election of all authorities of the Judicial Branch, including the Supreme Court: This is a change from the current undemocratic model of appointment by congress, which has seen nepotism flourish in the courts. It looks to redress the balance of power that has for so long being in the hand of the elites.
  • Recognition of communitarian justice as an alternative, complementary and ancestral form of solving differences and conflicts: The indigenous systems of justice would be given the same standing in the official hierarchy as the existing system.
  • A plurinational Parliament with only one chamber: In essence, this is a reengineering the political institutions. This would guarantee the same number of currents representative for each department and no more chambers of elites and privilege. The goal is to break the oligarchies' traditional monopoly in the Senate that has traditionally acted as an obstacle to all progressive governments.
  • All Bolivians have the right to free health care and education in equal conditions.
  • Total elimination of illiteracy.

Other articles in the constitution those are relevant and important to note:

  • A new capital of Sucre: Sucre is to be acknowledged as Bolivia's official capital.
  • Ban on sexual orientation discrimination: Bolivia would be only the second country in the world, after South Africa, with this constitutional provision.
  • Bolivia is a country of peace that promotes the culture of peace. Bolivia repudiates all war of aggression and prohibits the installation of foreign military bases on its national territory.
  • Water is considered a human right.
  • All the cultural rights for indigenous people are also accorded to the Afro-Bolivians.
  • A wide number of social rights are established for children, youth and older people, never before seen in 183 years of Bolivian history.

Ratification procedure

The national assembly approved the new constitution in December 2007. The country's main opposition party boycotted the assembly vote on the new charter. The constitution now requires ratification by at least 51% of Bolivian voters in a national referendum. If voters reject the draft, the country's existing constitution will remain in effect. It's important to note that a number of articles have to be approved directly by Bolivian voters.

Among them is an article that would limit the size of individual land holdings to a maximum of 10,000 hectares. This is bitterly opposed by the country's agribusinesses and big landowners of the Media Luna region in the East. If passed this would have a major impact on the lowland departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, and Pando, and finally address the historical injustice of unequal land distribution.

The opposition claims the constitution proposes the creation of two Bolivia's: "one for indigenous people and another for non-indigenous people," as one opposition member said, "with separate and parallel judicial systems and languages effectively making the indigenous people first-class citizens and everyone else second class citizens." The opposition parties claim that the government is trying to establish a Cuban-type one-party-dominated state that will put an end to pluralism. They also argue that the government is just following in the footsteps of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez.

Those who support the constitution feel that its plurinational communitarian aspect is a decolonization of the state that for centuries has discriminated and marginalized the indigenous majority. They believe that it is designed to give every citizen equal access to Bolivia's resources. Others see it as confronting the neoliberal doctrine and replacing it with a viable alternative – the cosmovision of the indigenous people (communitarian land and rights for nature) – thus creating a more humanist and just society.

Vice-President Álvaro Garcia Linera called it a first step in the new road towards "capitalismo Andino Amazónico" (Andean-Amazonian capitalism) which will "improve the possibilities of the emancipation of the worker and community forces in the medium term". The Agencia Nodo Sur (South Node Agency) explains that "Andean-Amazonian capitalism is neither socialism nor neoliberalism, but a system catering to the contemporary realities of Bolivia which recognizes communal, state, and private forms of economic organization as being equal under the law"

Intensified conflict

The "refounding of Bolivia" with the new constitution and the reengineering of the political institutions has widened the rift between the mountainous, largely poor, and indigenous part of the country that backs Morales, and rulers of the more prosperous Media Luna states, where the opposition has their base of support.

The conflict is now rapidly coming to a head. The opposition has said they would not allow the constitution to be imposed on them. They are instigating a civil war in the country with the hope that direct U.S. involvement in the conflict will turn the tide to their advantage. Meanwhile, the government is pressing for a vote on the new constitution before the end of this year in the hopes that it will, for once and for all, refound Bolivia.

Raul Burbano is a member of Toronto Bolivia Solidarity (torontoboliviasolidarity@gmail.com) and the Latin American Solidarity Network.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LEAD BOLIVIAN DEMOCRACY STRUGGLE

by John Riddell / September 29, 2008

On September 23, about 20,000 peasants and miners marched on the eastern city of Santa Cruz, where the right-wing government has been encouraging terrorism and intimidation of Bolivia's indigenous majority and trying to oust the government of President Evo Morales.

Popular assemblies in La Paz, Cochabamba and elsewhere in the country added to the pressure against this disruptive minority, whose supporters have killed dozens of Bolivians in recent weeks. The right-wing opposition's banner is "autonomy" for the provinces they rule, but their real goal is to return the rich oligarchy to power.

Morales, a man of peace, has refrained from using armed force against such illegality, seeking a dialogue with right-wing leaders and peaceful resolution of differences.

Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, was confirmed in office by a 67 per cent majority in a national referendum in August. He was first elected in 2005 on a program including land reform, nationalization of natural resources and a new constitution.

The Morales government acted vigorously on all three fronts, but progress has been stymied by forces loyal to the country's previous ruling elite and their backers in Washington. U.S. ambassador Philip Goldberg brazenly proclaimed his right to intervene in Bolivian political life. He met frequently with opposition leaders until Bolivia expelled him from the country September 10 for "conspiring against democracy."

Among the causes of opposition outrage is the government's decision to use some of profits from gas exports to fund the country's first universal pension plan.

Even more provocative to rich oligarchs is the Morales government's goal of ending the centuries-old exclusion of indigenous people. Their goal is to refound the nation on a "plurinational" basis – that is one of equality between each of Bolivia's indigenous nations and its Hispanic population.

Bolivian popular movements incorporate traditional indigenous values of collectivism and protection of the natural environment. Together with their government, they seek to rebuild Bolivia around these values, while urgently recommending them to the world at large.

For example, in addressing the United Nations General Assembly September 23, Morales warned, "If we continue the way we were, we will all be responsible for destroying the planet." He proposed 10 principles to save life on earth, beginning with "putting an end to capitalism, the synonym for exploitation and pillage."

Morales urged "respect for Mother Nature, which is not a commodity," and called for taking energy, water and other basic services out of the hands of private business, making them public services and human rights. Our goal, he said, must be "living well," an indigenous concept that includes living in harmony with one's community and the natural world.

In Bolivia, Morales's overwhelming victory in the August referendum opened the road for a vote to adopt the proposed constitution, scheduled for December 7. It was this prospect that drove rightists into a frenzy of violence and law-breaking over the last month. On September 11, rightist gangs massacred more than 30 unarmed government supporters in the state of Pando.

The Santa Cruz marchers delivered their warning on September 23 and stopped short of taking the city. Meanwhile, the popular upsurge continues, strengthening Morales's hand against the violent minority.

But what of the foreign backers of this opposition in Washington?

As Morales said at the United Nations, "The combat of our people is a historic struggle against empire." Here Bolivia has received decisive support from the other peoples of Latin America. On September 15, an emergency meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) voted unanimously to pledge "fullest and decided support for the constitutional government of President Evo Morales."

The U.S. government has been shut out of these deliberations. The Organization of American States (OAS), to which Canada belongs, has played no role. The government of Stephen Harper has said not a word about the political terrorism in Bolivia.

It's high time for Canadians to follow the South American example, declare their independence of the Bush-Harper combination, and take their stand in support of Bolivia's government, democratic institutions and integrity.

To find out about efforts in Canada to support Bolivian democracy, contact torontoboliviasolidarity@gmail.com.

This article was prepared with assistance from Rosalia Paiva. Originally printed at Rabble.ca.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

CHRIS WELLS: "Evo and the Bolivian people confront the racism and hatred of anti-humanism"

Chris Wells - North American Spokesperson for New Humanism

Bolivian opposition to the current government of Evo Morales did not receive popular support in the recent referendum; their position was rejected by more than 66% of the voters. Nor did these opposition forces receive international support to overthrow the government of Evo Morales. Instead of accepting the decision by a democratic process, this minority has taken the abominable and monstrous decision to destabilize the Bolivian government at any price, without concern for human life, putting in danger all of society with no regard for their own children, or their own blood.

Though only a few months remain for the Bush government, it still has time to continue creating disasters for humanity; in Georgia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and, no doubt, now in Bolivia.

The expulsion of the US Ambassador in La Paz is a brave act and a call to the entire international community to stop the US intervention that supports an opposition sick with hatred and violence.

We call on all governments of the world to summon the US Ambassador of their country to give an explanation for what is happening in Bolivia. This intervention cannot take place without a minimal show of concern. The United States has to realize that the world has changed and that it cannot promote factional divisions within any sovereign nation.

We call on the Bolivian people, in particular those who support the opposition, to not allow themselves to be dragged into incendiary discussions or be infected by hatred, insults, racism, and the hysteria of irresponsible leaders who risk the lives of others to achieve their own interests.

We call on the Bolivian people who support Evo Morales and the process of transformation to non-violently resist all provocations and continue their non-violent struggle, and to unite in this moment around their President. This is not a moment for arguments or divisions; it is the moment to resist through non-violence, to unite and advance towards the Constitutional plebiscite.

As Humanists of the world, we demand that our governments repudiate the US intervention in Bolivia, and we call on our governments to decisively support the popular mandate of the Bolivian people, expressed democratically in the recent referendum. As Humanists of the US, we call on our own government to suspend all support to the secessionists and to decisively support the true democratic process in Bolivia which expresses the best traditions of democracy that gave birth to our own nation: government of the people, by the people and for the people.

We express our total solidarity and backing for the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, and for the Bolivian people who are striving to build a better future.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Letter from Indigenous Women of Canada

Solidarity with Bolivia and with Its President, Evo Morales Ayma

As indigenous women living in the north of Abya Yala (Canada), we protest the grave violations of human rights of indigenous brothers and sisters in the sister Republic of Bolivia. These genocidal acts have been carried out by extremist right-wing groups, especially in the departments of Pando, Beni, Tarija, and Santa Cruz.

As indigenous women, we repudiate the genocide carried out against men and women leaders of the indigenous peoples, against the loss of human life, including that of pregnant women, the destruction of public property, and the project of overturning a democratic government.

As sisters who create and sustain a culture, this causes us feelings of great pain and helplessness. After 516 years of colonialism, the assimilationist and genocidal culture still reigns over the sons and daughters of the soil, that is, over us, the indigenous peoples of different ancestral nations. This must end! It must be replaced by a culture of harmony and of respect for the majesty of human beings.


Therefore:

  1. We appeal to citizens and social movements of the world, to citizens of the countries of North America, Central America, South America, and especially Bolivia, to aid in bringing to an end the acts of violence among brothers. We appeal especially to political and social leaders to prevent the violence from escalating and to search in good will for alternative paths.
  2. As indigenous women and as mothers, sisters, and daughters, we express our solidarity and support for all the Bolivian people and especially for the indigenous organizations. We ask President Evo Morales to take the appropriate measures so that these crimes against humanity do not go unpunished, and so that those responsible for these ignominious deeds are brought to justice.
  3. We reiterate our unconditional support for the constitutional government of President Evo Morales Ayma, a democratic government confirmed by the support of more than 67% of its people, an example for all the nations of Abya Yala and of hope for all the peoples of the world.
  4. Peoples and nations of good will who love peace and social justice must be on the alert with respect to any possible act of intervention by the U.S. government. We support the decision of UNASUR (Union of South American Nations).
  5. We call on indigenous peoples and leaders internationally, on organizations of the world community, to take a stand in favour of Bolivia's territorial integrity and to resist the acts of violence against indigenous brothers and sisters.
Toronto, September 16, 2008

Women of the First Nations
Apache, Ashaninka, Bribri, Chakma, Cherokee, Chorti, Dayak, Fulani, Gaviao, Haida, Inuit, Lisu, Masai, Maorii, Maya, Nuer, Onandaga, Quechua, Aymara, Secoya, Somali, Tuareg, Yanomami, Yucateco, Zacateca, Chichimeca, Mapuche, Dakota, Ojibway, Cree

Toronto Contact: Rosalía Paiva, Mabel Ernest, Audry Redman pachakusi@hotmail.com

Friday, September 12, 2008

Violent Groups Take Over Human Rights Organization

[Written by Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation]

On September 9th a group of approximately 50 vandals entered by force, completely sacked and set on fire the offices of the Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation (CEJIS) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Eastern Bolivia.

At 6 PM, three 4x4 vehicles and other motor vehicles arrived at the doors of the institution, from which descended youth armed with sticks, knives, torches and stones. They used one of the vehicles to knock down the entrance gate. The four police officers that were guarding the building fled for fear of reprisals. Once inside, the attackers robbed and destroyed what was in the interior. They broke displays, windows, doors, furniture, computer equipment, files, and documentation. They made a big fire in the street, before the violated doors of the institution and set other fires inside the office. Extremely important documentation on the progress of titling of indigenous land and other studies has been lost. Also destroyed and burned on the street was at least a third of the library, renowned nationally for its important specialization in indigenous and agrarian issues. There were no injuries to the personnel due to the fact that they were evacuated slightly before the attack. The CEJIS offices in Trinidad and Riberalta, both in the state of Beni, are both under threat, where similar actions of violence are ongoing.

The offices of CEJIS, along with its personnel, were attacked more than 15 times in the last five years. In the last months the institution suffered two attacks with molotov cocktails (in November 2007 and last August). In its 30 years of work, CEJIS has provided legal assistance to indigenous, landless and peasant organizations in the process of titling their lands and territories. It has been a permanent ally of the social movements in the legal codification of their rights in national legislation, and advised and accompanied the progress of social organizations in the Constituent Assembly. This work has implied a permanent risk on the personnel and offices of CEJIS, threatened by the sectors of power that have historically controlled the region of Eastern Bolivia, who now feel menaced by the advance of the rights of the most marginalized sectors of our society.

Yesterday [September 9th] in the city of Santa Cruz, in addition to CEJIS, the regional offices of National Taxation, the national telecommunications company (ENTEL), the National Institute of
Agrarian Reform
(INRA), the Migration offices, the offices of state channel 7, the radio of the New Country Network were also assaulted and sacked. This chain of aggressions forms part of a plan that is in action and continues today with the attack on the national and regional indigenous organizations of Santa Cruz and the peasants rooted in the city, the popular radios – like Alternative Radio, which works out of the Women’s House – and other human rights organizations, by the same groups that threw themselves against CEJIS.

The worsening of the violence in all of the Bolivian East, which started today under the slogan of a “better redistribution of oil income for the regions” has changed by a de facto coup in the states of this part of the country and a wave of intolerant and racist persecution to all that are considered its enemies, now with the demand that the Government of Evo Morales recognize a regional autonomy with separatist stripes, unacceptable for the majority of the population.

Because of all that stated:

1. We denounce the assualt and sacking of our offices in the city of Santa Cruz by a crowd organized by the people that are devastating the city.

2. We denounce that the lives and the security of our personnel is at risk, before the retreat of our office police guard and the total lack of security in the city for certain officials, now that the National Police and the Armed Forces are not acting.

3. We denounce before the closing of the main alternative media sources and the deterioration of the telephone lines of the Entel business, that freedom of expression and opinion in the state are restricted and that the offices of CEJIS will remain temporarily closed.

4. We demand that the Local Police of the District of Santa Cruz and the National Police conduct an investigation and punish those responsibly, materially and intellectually of these deplorable acts, who are openly identified by the media,

5. We demand that the Bolivian state grant a guarantee of life and personal safety to the officials of CEJIS in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, and Riberalta and appeal to the international conventions on Human Rights to which it is subscribed.

We ask all human rights and civil society organization to declare themselves in solidarity with the situation in which Bolivia is living.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra – BOLIVIA September 10th 2008

(Translated by Andrew Lyubarsky)