Indigenous communities in Puebla hold consultations on new Indigenous Rights law

Puebla will host four regional assemblies to gather input from Indigenous and Afro‑Mexican communities on the proposed General Law on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Afro‑Mexicans. The consultations are scheduled for 23 August in Tehuacán, 28 August in San Miguel Canoa, 29 August in Huauchinango and 30 August in Cuetzalan.

The state is home to more than 1.04 million Indigenous people, representing seven Indigenous groups and over 600 thousand speakers of Indigenous languages. The law, promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to strengthen recognition, autonomy and free determination, granting Indigenous peoples legal personality, their own patrimony and specific rights for women, children, migrants, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The draft, prepared after 148 meetings with federal agencies, experts and community representatives, will be presented to the Senate on 12 October.