The Ayoreo-Totobiegosode suffer greatly from the theft of their land – although the Paraguayan constitution guarantees Indian land ownership, the Ayoreo’s land has almost all been taken over by ranchers, forcing them out of their forest and making it very difficult for them to support themselves.
Many of the Indians’ relatives continue to live uncontacted in the forest. Unless this area is quickly secured and transferred to them, much of it will be destroyed.
Please write to the President of Paraguay and the President of INDI, the Paraguayan government’s Indian affairs department, to urge them to title the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode’s remaining lands to them without delay.
You can use this sample text or write your own:
I am extremely concerned to learn of the grave threat to the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode Indians of the Chaco. They have been claiming a small part of their ancestral territory since 1993, but have still only recovered a fraction of it.
Now one of the firms occupying their land – Jaguarete Pora SA – plans to clear most of its land as soon as possible. This will be devastating for the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode, especially those members of the tribe who are still uncontacted.
It is also in clear violation of Paraguay’s laws and Constitution, which clearly recognise the right of the indigenous population to the ownership of their traditional lands.
I urge you to ensure that the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode’s land is titled to them without delay.
Presidente de la República del Paraguay
Paraguayo Independiente c/ Ayolas
Asunción
Paraguay
Fax: + 595 21 493 910
Email: secretariadecomunicaciones@presidencia.gov.py
Begin: 'Your Excellency'
Instituto Paraguayo del Indígena (INDI)
Casilla de Correo No. 1575
Asunción
Paraguay
Fax: + 595 21 440 046
Email: indi.gov.py@gmail.com
