As seen on LaInfo

The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador on Thursday ratified a constitutional reform that recognizes indigenous peoples and commits the state to adopt public policies to encourage the development of all indigenous communities in the country.

The text of the amendment establishes, inter alia, that “El Salvador recognizes indigenous peoples and adopt policies to maintain and develop their ethnic identity.”

Meanwhile, the head of the national Parliament, Siegfried Reyes stressed that the ratification of the reform is “a great achievement”, not only for indigenous peoples, but also for the Salvadoran people.

Asimosmo, Reyes expressed his hope that “this recognition will translate into direct and concrete measures” of the Salvadoran state, indigenous to “preserve their identity, their language, religion and other aspects that define them as indigenous peoples.”

The amendment was ratified by two-thirds vote necessary for ratification in parliament -54 of the 84 legislators-and without even a rejection or failure, in his second attempt at the plenary meeting on Thursday in the capital, Sal Salvador.

Indigenous peoples of El Salvador include the Nahua, Pipil, Lenca, and Mayan Kakawira Chortí. Even in the legislative session on Thursday, leaders of some of these people attended the legislative palace where the constitutional amendment was ratified.

Original Article – Salvadoran Parliament ratifies amendment recognizing indigenous peoples