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Peru Amazon Protection Legislation Could be Voted on Thursday

VOA News

   Peruvian lawmakersare set toconsider legislation as early as Thursday
   that aims to protect sections of the Amazon rain forest from outsiders,
   including purveyors of the oil industry.

   Reutersnews agencysaysindigenous leaders seeking thesupport
   oflawmakersareconcernedthe oil industry lobby mayblock thelegislation
   from coming up for a vote.

   Indigenous leaders reportedlymet withPresident MartinVizcarraon Friday
   ahead of the vote. The president's government is said to oppose the
   proposed legislation thatstrengthensprotections for the Amazon already
   in place.

   Jorge Pérez, president of the Regional Organization of Indigenous
   Peoples of the Amazon, toldReuters thelegislation will guarantee the
   lives and human rights of the thousands of isolated groups, who up to
   now havebeenexposed to high risk extractive activities in their region.

   FelipeCantuarias, president of the Peruvian Hydrocarbon Society
   industry lobby group,sayspassing the bill woulddisrupt operationsand
   hurt business.

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