Mexico: Indigenous peoples and NGOs accuse government of indifference to the Wirikutan cause
Various non-governmental organizations and representatives of the Wixarika community accused the Mexican government of being indifferent to their appeal presented at the beginning of the year to cancel seven mining claims within the Wirikuta sacred territory. The appeal also asked for a halt to the illegal exploration work for natural resources prohibited by law. On June 26, the Wixarika Regional Council presented an injunction (writ of amparo) to cancel these concessions. It stated that their right of petition (as contained in Article 8 of the Constitution) was violated and ignored. They demand that the federal government of Mexico immediately respond to this appeal. Wirikuta, an area in the state of San Luis Potosí, is an Ecological Reserve, a protected natural area, and part of UNESCO’s Global Network of Sacred Sites. According to Wixarika’s elders, it is believed to be the place where the sun and earth were created and where their deities and ancestral spirits now live. It is believed that all natural elements that inhabit Wirikuta are equally sacred. “If you destroy all of this … you will destroy our lives,” said one of the representatives of the indigenous community. 26.06.2013: México (www.quique.com.mx)