This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8180790.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bolivian Indians in historic step | Bolivian Indians in historic step |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Bolivia has become the first country in the history of South America to declare the right of indigenous people to govern themselves. | Bolivia has become the first country in the history of South America to declare the right of indigenous people to govern themselves. |
| The country's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, launched his so-called "indigenous autonomy" policy in the eastern lowlands. | The country's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, launched his so-called "indigenous autonomy" policy in the eastern lowlands. |
| Peasant and indigenous communities will be entitled to vote for more autonomy in referendums next December. | Peasant and indigenous communities will be entitled to vote for more autonomy in referendums next December. |
| The provisions are contained in a constitution passed earlier this year. | The provisions are contained in a constitution passed earlier this year. |
| The new charter was bitterly opposed by Bolivia's traditional elite. | |
| On Sunday, the provisions allowing for indigenous autonomy were presented in a special event in the eastern region of Santa Cruz. | |
| Mr Morales said it was "a historic day for the peasant and indigenous movement". | |
| "Your president, your companion, your brother Evo Morales might make mistakes but will never betray the fight started by our ancestors and the fight of the Bolivian people," he said. | |
| Mr Morales has championed Bolivia's indigenous people, who for centuries were banished to the margins of society. | |
| The BBC's Andres Schipani reports from Bolivia that a largely peaceful revolution has empowered the indigenous majority this year. | |
| Indigenous groups have increasingly seized political control, transforming the country into a 21st Century standard bearer for South America's native populations, he says. | |
| But many opposed to Mr Morales and the new constitution believe he is polarising the country by dividing it along racial lines, our correspondent adds. | |
| The referendums in December will be held alongside Bolivia's presidential and parliamentary elections. |