Farmers’ Rights of the Nations and Rural Native Indigenous Peoples

In February 2009, the Plurinational State of Bolivia adopted the new Political Constitution of the State (Constitución Política del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia). The new Constitution aims to build the new Plurinational State of Bolivia, respecting the economic, social, legal, political and cultural plurality of its inhabitants. It recognizes and accords the nations and rural native indigenous peoples eighteen rights, related to Farmers’ Rights, as set out in Article 9 of the International Treaty. The executive power of the state, through its ministries, has the obligation to enforce these rights. The fundamental rights of importance to the implementation of Article 9 as set out in International Treaty include: (1) rights to land and territory; (2) rights to exclusive use and exploitation of the renewable natural resources existing in their territories; (3) recognition of their ancestral knowledge and practices; and (4) participation in State bodies and institutions. Key results entail progress in the allocation of land titles, including to women; progress in establishing development plans for the sustainable use of natural resources, including strengthening institutions for monitoring and self-governance; ongoing process of ‘revaluation’ of indigenous knowledge and know-how; and increased participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives in democratic processes and institutions.