BOLIVIA AND REFERENDUM ON REGIONAL AUTONOMY

That this House notes with concern that right-wing forces in the Santa Cruz department of Bolivia are insisting on holding a referendum on regional autonomy on 4th May; considers that this referendum violates the Bolivian constitution; notes that the Bolivian National Electoral Court has refused to endorse it; further notes that the Organisation of American States and the European Union have refused to send international observers to legitimise the referendum; is concerned that violent extremist right-wing groups such as the Santa Cruz Youth Union will be involved in intimidation of voters; and believes that the aim of the referendum is to undermine the democratically-elected government of Evo Morales, the first ever indigenous leader of Bolivia, whose aim is to create a more just and inclusive society for all Bolivians including the previously marginalised indigenous majority of that country.