Peru: Puno protest against the lack of the right to consultation could impact election

[Derechos]

The amyara communities of Puno are protesting the failure of the Garcia administration to respect their right to prior, informed consultation prior to granting mining concessions in that department. Their were 1,656 mining concession requests in Puno in 2010 alone. For more info, see Servindi at http://servindi.org/actualidad/45483.

The administration has sent military forces to suppor the police efforts to put down the protests.

There are some concers that the government might not hold elections in Puno due to "concerns" over violence. The Ombudsman's office has so far said that will not occur but the idea of such a discussion is concerning.

Humala asking the protesters to stop the protest- http://www.larepublica.com.pe/28-05-2011/humala-exhorto-punenos-deponer-acciones-de-violencia

Brief article on Defensoria Del Pueblo (Ombudsman) http://www.larepublica.com.pe/28-05-2011/defensoria-del-pueblo-no-podemos-permitir-que-se-suspendan-elecciones-en-puno