Belize's Rainforests Saved by Historic Agreement on Maya Land
10 Points Agreement in Belize Sets Precedent
EcoLogic News
November 10, 2000
In an historic ruling on October 20, 2000 the government of Belize (GOB) has for the first time in the country's history recognized the land rights of the Maya people who inhabit the region. The accord, entitled the 10 Points of Agreement, has been precedent setting, giving credibility to claims that the GOB has violated the human rights of the indigenous people by not allowing them to participate in the allocation of land and resources in regions they traditionally occupied and still use today.
Although 10 Points does not give full land rights to the Maya, it is an important step for Maya participation in the decision-making process in regards to future development of traditionally indigenous occupied land in Southern Belize.
The accord outlines a framework of principles creating a future partnership between the Maya people and the GOB. The agreement calls for the Maya Leaders representing five regional organizations and the Belizean government to work together in reviewing and recommending logging and oil advancement in the area. This comes as a response to the government's unilateral approval of logging concessions and oil exploration permits in the area, all of which have had a dramatic impact on the environment of the region.
After a five-year period of tension between the GOB and the Mopan and Ke'kchi people, the signing of the agreement marks a significant step in a positive direction. The tension erupted in 1995 when the Maya community learned that without prior discussion, the government had granted 17 separate logging concessions spanning 500,000 acres of land to foreign companies.
Since then, the Maya, with the help of local groups such as the Toledo Maya Cultural Council (TMCC), have been waging a legal battle with the government over the biologically diverse area. In 1997, attorneys from the Indian Law Resource Center (ILRC) pleaded their case to the Supreme Court of Belize, but the Court failed to take action. In spite of the initial setback, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recently concurred with the Maya's formal request to cease all logging and oil development until such permits and licenses can be properly reviewed.
The government of Belize finally agreed to the 10 Points, admitting that "the Maya people have rights to land and resources in southern Belize based on their long-standing use and occupancy." Among the signers of the accord was Belize Prime Minister Said Musa.
Although they have inhabited Southern Belize for over 500 years, the Maya have never before been officially recognized as having any legal claim to the region. Thus, in recent years as the demand for timber has grown and natural resources have diminished, the government has given logging and oil concessions to international corporations without the consent of the Mopan and Ke'kchi people.
Traditionally occupied by the Maya, the land of southern Belize is of vital importance to the Mopan and Ke'kchi from an economic, as well as a cultural point of view. For many individuals in Latin America, land serves as a major source of income and sustenance. The 15,000 Maya are for the most part farmers whose survival is directly linked to environmental resources; the farming of staples such as rice, beans, and corn provides for their basic needs. At the same time, land acts as a cultural and spiritual anchor for the Maya.
The challenge now is finding a way to implement the principles as stated in the accord and to turn broad-based ideas into developmental land policy, which will require the government of Belize to take significant steps toward fulfilling the pledges as outlined in the agreement. Also to be considered is the action to take with previous contracts drawn up prior to the signing of the 10 Points. One such contract is with the US-based oil company AB Energy, who was recently given permission to drill for oil. The drilling area is in the heart of Maya territory, covering over 700,000 acres containing precious mangrove forests.
This exciting and historical agreement provides an unprecedented framework for the Maya. This new partnership with the government is the first step in resolving longstanding social injustices that have posed a great threat to the natural resources in Belize.
To read the complete text of the 10 Points of Agreement visit our web page: http://www.ecologic.org/10Points.htm
For more information contact:
TOLEDO MAYA CULTURAL COUNCIL
Pio Coc, P.J., Program Coordinator
PO Box 104
Punta Gorda Town
Toledo District BELIZE
Tel/Fax: [501](7) 22774
Email: tmcc@btl.net
http://www.geography.berkley.edu/MayanAtlas/MayanAtlas/tmcc.htm#top
ECOLOGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
Shaun Paul, Executive Director
PO Box 383405
Cambridge, MA 02238-3405
Tel: (617) 441-6300
Fax: (617) 441-6307
Email: spaul@ecologic.org
http://www.ecologic.org
INDIAN LAW RESOURCE CENTER
Debrah Schaff, Staff Attorney
602 North Ewing Street
Helena, MT 59601
Tel: (406) 449-2006
Fax: (406) 449-2031
Email: dschaaf@indianlaw.org
http://www.indianlaw.org