In 1825, Liberator Simon Bolivar issued a decree proclaiming indigenous rights.

Below is the full decree:

Simon Bolivar, Liberator, President of the Republic of Colombia, Liberator of the Republic of Peru and in charge of its Supreme Command,

Considering:

I. That equality among all citizens is the basis of the Constitution of the Republic;

II. That this equality is incompatible with the personal service that has been forcibly required of indigenous natives, and with the exactions and ill-treatment that, due to their miserable state, they have suffered at all times by civil chiefs, priests, chiefs and even landowners;

III. That indigenous people have been unfairly burdened in the distribution of some pensions and public services;

IV That the price of the work to which they have been dedicated by degree or force, both in mining and in the work of land and works, has been defrauded in various ways;

V That one of the most burdensome pensions in their existence is the payment of the excessive and arbitrary rights that are commonly charged for the administration of the sacraments; I have come to decree, and

Decree:

1. That no individual in the State directly or indirectly requires the personal service of indigenous Peruvians, without a contract that is free of the price of their work.

2. Prefects of departments, mayors, governors and judges, ecclesiastical prelates, priests and their lieutenants, landowners, owners of mines and works are prohibited from employing indigenous people against their will in tasks, sevens, halves, pongueages [1] and other types of domestic and usual services.

3. That for the public works of common utility ordered by the government, not only indigenous people should be retired as hitherto, and all citizens must attend proportionately according to their number and powers.

4. The political authorities, through the mayors or municipalities of the towns, will distribute luggage, food and other aid for the troops or any other object of interest without taxing indigenous people more than other citizens.

5. The wages of workers in mines, construction sites and estates must be satisfied according to the price they hire in cash, without forcing them to receive species against their will and at prices that are not ordinary square prices.

6° The exact compliance with the previous article is responsible for the vigilance and zeal of the mayors, governors and territorial representatives of mining.

7° That indigenous people should not pay more for parish rights than those designated by existing tariffs or those that are given in the future.

8° That parish priests and their lieutenants cannot agree on these rights with the indigenous people without the intervention of the town's mayor or governor.

9° Any fault or omission in compliance with the above articles will result in popular action and will be an express chapter that you must take charge of residence.

10. The Acting Secretary General is responsible for the execution and enforcement of this decree. Be printed, published and circulated.

Given in Cuzco, on July 4, 1825. 6th and 4th.

SIMON BOLIVAR