The structural reforms have sparked complaints from indigenous peoples who were not consulted about the effects of various projects related to the reforms, according to Luis Raúl González Pérez, president of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). González Pérez added that the failure to consult the indigenous peoples constitutes a violation of their human rights.
At an event to observe International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Aug. 9, González Pérez said that the voices of indigenous peoples are too often not taken into account by federal and state governments. He encouraged all branches of federal and state government to find solution to that problem.
“The complaints refer to not having been consulted adequately,” said González Pérez. “This is worrying, because the rights we are most trying to protect are indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination and identity.”
According to the CNDH, 44 complaints have been made by indigenous peoples, of which 18 were made since 2014.
González Pérez said that the right to be consulted is constantly being violated, and that authorities often fail to explain projects adequately, or carry out consultations in environments of violence and intimidation.
2Mexico has a debt to its indigenous communities, and a responsibility to recognize recognize and protect the individual and collective rights of the indigenous,” he added.
The CNDH said that 25 states recognize indigenous peoples’ right to be consulted in their constitutions or other legislation, while seven states have not legislated the right.
