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On May 19th this year, the Congress passed the bill: Framework Law for the indigenous people’s right to prior consultation according Convention 169 ILO. Its main objective is to establish the principles and the procedures for implementing indigenous peoples’ right to prior consultation regarding legislative and administrative measures that directly affect them. It also will allow indigenous peoples to participate at the different decision-making levels of government agencies responsible for policies and programs that concern them.

However, the bill was not signed by the President and was sent back to Congress for a second vote. According Peru´s legislative process, after Congress passes a bill it is sent to the President for its approval, rejection or proposition of amendments. In the last two cases, the bill is sent back to Congress and it can either accept the proposed changes, adapt them or reject them. At this point, Congress is debating on the President’s proposed amendments to the bill and a final decision is still pending.

For Peru, this bill has become a key issue. The lack of consultation to indigenous people it’s thought to be the source of a series of social conflicts for a long time and most people hope the bill can turnaround this situation.

Recently, SPDA has actively participated in different meetings convened by public entities and by civil society on the issues at stake regarding the content of this bill.