Proposals for the Peace of Mother Earth and of the Indigenous Peoples are presented at the UN

The ABYA YALA Indigenous Forum and the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace (GEAP) organized this Friday, April 20, 2018 the event "Working for the Peace of Mother Earth and Indigenous Peoples" within the framework of the Seventeenth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Affairs (UNFPII17), which is being held in New York City, at the United Nations Organization headquarters.

The presence of representatives and leaders of the Indigenous Peoples who are attending the session of the UNFPII17, activists from the GEAP, the diplomatic corps of El Salvador, members of the Indigenous Council of Central America and the Indigenous Council of El Salvador, and other organizations, was very important for the realization of this simple event that was held in two parts: Tribute to the Women who are an Emblem of the Struggle of the Indigenous Peoples, and the presentation of the Book: "For the Peace of Mother Earth: proposals for Universal Governance and Environmental Justice."

Tribute to the Women who are an Emblem of the Struggle of the Indigenous Peoples

The event: Tribute to women who are an emblem of the struggle of Indigenous Peoples counted with the moderation of Dr. Jesus Fuentes, member of the UNFPII, and began with a well-deserved tribute to emblematic women in the struggle for Indigenous Peoples, who, for several years, have led social movements to defend and strengthen the rights of their peoples, and for that reason they are often the object of unjust persecutions.

Dr. Amadeo Martínez, for the Indigenous Forum of Abya Yala, and Mrs. Gabriela Lara, for the GEAP, delivered a sculpture made of glass in the shape of fire flames, symbolizing the passion and commitment for the struggle of the Indigenous Peoples to the honored women: Dr. Marian Wallet, President of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Tarcila Rivera Zea, Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Dr. Mirna Cunningham, President of FILAC.

The honorees offered words of gratitude and reiterated their commitment to the cause of Indigenous Peoples, especially highlighting the current situation of persecution and constant violations of their rights, and even murders and disappearances of indigenous women in various countries of the world.

Presentation of the Proposals for the Peace of Mother Earth and Indigenous Peoples.

The program continued with the intervention of Dr. Amadeo Martinez, president of the Abya Yala Forum, who once again praised the valuable work of the honored women, and highlighted the importance of working together with other organizations that have similar objectives in order to strengthen the struggle for lands, territories and resources. He also highlighted the work of dozens of men and women, brothers and sisters of the Indigenous Peoples who have dedicated their lives to reach and conquer the spaces gained from international instances, to defend and strengthen their rights.

Mrs. Gabriela Lara thanked the opportunity offered by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the support of the Indigenous Forum of Abya Yala, the Indigenous Council of Central America (CICA), the Salvadoran National Indigenous Coordinating Council (CCNIS) , the Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC), for the support they have always given to the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace in order to fulfill the objectives of the international program Children of Mother Earth, regarding the strengthening of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Later, Mrs. Lara presented the book "For the Peace of Mother Earth: Proposals for Universal Governance and Environmental Justice." And she invited all attendees to study the document and make their contributions via email hmt@emapaz.com.

The moderator of the event, Dr. Jesus Fuentes, of Mexico, Member of the UNFPII, finally held a round of public participation, where several representatives of the Indigenous Peoples expressed their opinion and commitment to continue contributing in the construction of these proposals to reach the preservation of the ecological balance of Mother Earth and the strengthening of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.