Contentious FPIC Protocol Divides Maya Community

Greg Ch’oc

The issue of the FPIC Protocol has, to some extent, polarized the Maya community with organizations, including the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, taking a position against the Maya Leaders Alliance.  That division, says Ch’oc, is regrettable, particularly since the Briceño administration seems committed to implement the terms of the C.C.J.’s consent order.

Greg Ch’oc, Commissioner of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

“It’s clear that there is intractable tension in the membership.  This is affecting the implementation process.  The internal conflict comes at a time when, in my view, we have a government that is committed to give effect to the terms of the consent order.  So I ask the leaders of the Maya Leaders Alliance, the member organization to reflect back to what caused the Maya people to start this in the first place.”

Cristina Coc

Cristina Coc, Spokesperson, TAA/MLA

“One of our greatest strengths and the reason that we have been so successful over the last thirty years, as we have gone to the courts, as we have, you know, gotten those very historic judgments has been because we have been a united people.  And so, it’s not surprising that our unity is under attack.”

Greg Ch’oc

“The FPIC that we got upon taking office and as we continue to do the consultation, it is unfortunate that I have not found a community who have said we know what is in that document, but yet it is a right that they must exercise.  They must know.  We have to change this and that is what we need to change.  We are going to do it in partnership with the organizations.  We are going to respect the organization because they have a role to play.  They provide the technical, they provide the financial resources to the communities, but most importantly, we are going to consult with the villagers, sit down with the villagers to ensure that collectively we put together the necessary measures and legislation that protects the rights of the community.”