ARGENTINA: Indigenous groups march to Buenos Aires demanding recognition and rights

Record ID: 446632

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Indigenous groups march to Buenos Aires demanding recognition and rights
  • Date: 21st May 2010
  • Summary: WOMAN AND CHILD WITH FLAG
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA70GRIEMPJNTFGYKNDDMA41Y4C
  • Story Text: Indigenous groups march to Buenos Aires to demand a greater voice in national affairs ahead of bicentenary celebrations.
    Thousands of indigenous peoples from 30 communities throughout Argentina arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday (May 20) to demand the opening of a new dialogue with the government of President Cristina Fernandez.
    Three indigenous groups-- from the northeast, northwest and southern Argentina-- marched across the country for the past eight days.
    They demand that Argentina be "re-founded" as a multi-national state that recognizes the role of indigenous populations in decision making, development policies and identity issues.
    "We are marching for the defense of life, for equality, for justice, for the restoration of our rights in our territory in our lands and for the self-determination of our peoples-- and that does not mean the dismembering but, rather the unity of diversity, the inclusion of all the peoples who were made nobodies for over 50 years," said indigenous leader Guayma Tusu, using the term 'niguneados' made famous by Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano in his famous work "The Nobodies."
    The groups have also demanded the official recognition of indigenous languages and the elimination of Columbus Day.
    As they arrived at the downtown intersection of Plaza de Mayo and 9 de Julio Avenue, they were met by leaders of the human rights group Mothers of Plaza de Mayo.
    The protest comes ahead Argentina's bicentennial celebrations which culminate on May 25.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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