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Bolivian Indians in historic step Bolivian Indians in historic step
(about 7 hours later)
Bolivia has become the first country in the history of South America to declare the right of indigenous people to govern themselves. The Bolivian government has begun implementing reforms outlined in the new constitution that give indigenous people the chance to govern themselves.
The country's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, launched his so-called "indigenous autonomy" policy in the eastern lowlands. President Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous leader, enacted a decree allowing indigenous communities to hold referendums on the autonomy proposals.
Peasant and indigenous communities will be entitled to vote for more autonomy in referendums next December. The votes will take place in December, at the same time as presidential and parliamentary elections.
The provisions are contained in a constitution passed earlier this year.
The new charter was bitterly opposed by Bolivia's traditional elite.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. On Sunday, the provisions allowing for votes on 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".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."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.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. The indigenous people did not have full voting rights until 1952.
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.
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. Many Bolivians of European or mixed-race descent in the fertile eastern lowlands, which hold rich gas deposits and are home to extensive farms, rejected the constitution, which was approved earlier this year.
The referendums in December will be held alongside Bolivia's presidential and parliamentary elections.