Colombia’s interior minister announced Wednesday that the government has asked the country’s constitutional court to examine plans to guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples.
Minister German Vargas Lleras said that the National Program of Guarantees for Indigenous Peoples was agreed upon after consultation with indigenous organizations.
According to Vargas Lleras, the government plans “involve aspects in all areas that affect the indigenous communities in regards to culture, health, education, communication and their own protection.”
The proposals were hailed by the chairman of the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia who was quoted by the Ministry as saying that “when there is the will to talk we can construct great things. In this case construct ways and proposals aimed at guaranteeing the rights of these indigenous peoples.”
The Constitutional Court ordered the national government on several occasions to come up with policies that guarantee the constitutional rights of the indigenous peoples who have been marginalized by the country’s armed conflict and conflicting economic interests.