This cartoon appeared in El Dia, August 23, 2011. Many Bolivian organizations, including the Human Rights office in Bolivia questioned how the government obtained evidence of phone calls between indigenous leaders marching in protest for the TIPNIS and the US Embassy.
Government officials said it was done under existing law, a prosecutor asked a judge for those records and it was done; government says nothing about tapping… yet. Some lawyers said that procedure only takes place when there is a trial or some sort of formal accusation being made. Here there is none of the above. So, public opinion is beginning to seriously question this activity.
Future cases or situations are also a main concern for anyone who happens to have a phone in Bolivia…
This is the current geographical location of the protest walk, as reported by Pagina Siete, August 23, 2011.
The Tsimanes and Mosetenes indigenous groups have decided to back-up TIPNIS, as they fear the same could happen to them: “Pilon Lajas” national park.
http://www.paginasiete.bo/2011-08-23/Nacional/Destacados/2Esp00123.aspx
La Razon reports that organizations are split among those who back the TIPNIS protest walk and those who oppose it. The Regional Workers Union (COR); Civic Committee (want the road but not through the protected area) and coca growers from Cochabamba do want the road to be built. The National Workers Union (COB), the Teachers Union oppose the construction. FOBOMADE, a national environmental NGO association supports the TIPNIS protest; same as CONAMAQ.
Around 1,500 people are in the protest walk, they are all wearing black emblems in honor of teenager Pedro Moye Nose who died after an accident the night of Thursday 18th.
Around 50 ayoreos have left the walk in protest for not receiving food supplies, they question CIDOB leaders; they feel “abandoned” and not they want to back to Santa Cruz.
http://www.la-razon.com/version.php?ArticleId=136162&EditionId=2630
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