Ban praises adoption of Peruvian law on consultation with indigenous peoples

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended Peru’s recent adoption of laws compelling governments and private companies to consult indigenous communities before going ahead with major projects such as mines that affect them.

The law, adopted unanimously last month by the Andean country’s Congress and subsequently promulgated by President Ollanta Humala, was the subject of a tête-à-tête today at United Nations Headquarters in New York between Mr. Ban and Mr. Humala.

The Secretary-General congratulated Mr. Humala on the adoption of the law and discussed the importance of social inclusion overall, according to information released by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

The new law has already been welcomed by James Anaya, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.