The Mapuche Tehuelche Communities expressed their discontent and concern about the violation of the principle of non-regressivity in two recently presented bills. On February 19, they sent a note to the President of the Legislature of Chubut requesting a dialogue meeting with legislators before these bills are discussed and approved. The urgency of the situation arises because, through Decree 123/25, it has been ordered to include in the Extraordinary Session on February 27 the Bill No. 016/24 "Commission on Indigenous Lands," which has been previously declared unconstitutional.
The bills in question are No. 012/25 and No. 013/25, presented by provincial legislators from the ruling block Despierta Chubut. The first seeks to establish a "Protocol Procedure for Prior, Free, and Informed Consultation of Indigenous Communities." According to the project’s rationale, its purpose is to ensure the right of indigenous communities to participate in determining policies and municipal decisions that affect them. However, the Mapuche Tehuelche communities believe that both the registration mechanisms and the proposed consultation protocol adversely affect indigenous peoples and all residents of the province.
As for Bill No. 013/25, titled "Creation of the Registry of Indigenous Communities within the Ministry of Government of the Province of Chubut," the authoring deputies belong to the same ruling block. Despite the declared aim of registering all existing indigenous communities in the province, it has been pointed out that both projects are contrary to the principle of non-regressivity of already attained rights.
The Mapuche Tehuelche communities emphasize the importance of consultation and participation in decision-making that directly affects them, especially in a context where there are economic interests that could jeopardize their self-determination and their territory. Given this situation, they have requested an urgent meeting with legislators to be heard and discuss these issues in depth, seeking a permanent dialogue that respects their rights and autonomy.
