Peru overturns laws allowing exploitation of Amazon forest - June 19, 2009
Peru's Congress has overturned two laws that would have allowed foreign companies to exploit mineral resources and gain mining rights in the Amazon forest, according to BBC News. The volte-face came after weeks of protests from Indigenous groups, who say they were not consulted about the laws which would threaten their way of life.
The laws were passed 2007 and 2008 under powers Congress had granted Peruvian president, Alan Garcia, to implement a free trade agreement with the US, the BBC News report says.
Peru's prime minister, Yehude Simon, said the reversal of policy would not put at risk Peru's free trade agreement with the US. He has said he will step down once the dispute is settled, according to reports.
BBC News reports Daysi Zapata, vice president of the Amazon Indian confederation that led the protests, as saying, "This is a historic day for indigenous people because it shows that our demands and our battles were just."
