Bill 622.

Summary.

The bill states that its purpose is to respect the institutional standing of the Autonomous University of Indigenous Peoples (UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE LOS PUEBLOS INDIGENAS) and enable its organization. It sets out the democratic principles of freedom, equality, solidarity, cooperation, participation, transparency, identity, spirituality and accountability for that process. It also recognizes academic freedom in teaching, outreach, research, knowledge generation and the provision of services. The bill’s first article places those activities within its stated institutional purpose.

The bill then adds Article 19-A to Law 288 of March 10, 2022. The proposed provision addresses the institutional continuity of the Autonomous University of Indigenous Peoples and the principle that the transitional arrangement is time limited, as established in Article 19 of that Law. It makes the action contemplated by the new article contingent on the expiry of the transitional period originally provided for. A further condition is that the university’s formal organization has not yet been completed when that period expires. The appointment of provisional authorities would thus arise in a specific situation within the institutional organization process.

If those conditions are met, the bill provides for the Executive Branch, acting through the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), to appoint provisional authorities on a one time basis. Their term would not exceed TWO (2) years. The provision confines the purpose of their appointment to completing the institutional organization process and selecting the new Rector. The contemplated appointment would therefore take place after the transitional period has expired, while the university still needs to complete its formal organization. The proposed article places the appointment, its duration and its purpose within that institutional process.

The following article again states that Article 19-A is added to Law 288 of March 10, 2022, which it identifies as the law creating the Autonomous University of Indigenous Peoples. The final article provides that the proposed law would take effect upon its promulgation. The change to the existing law described in the bill is the addition of the provision concerning provisional authorities to the university’s founding law.

In terms of the bodies and groups concerned, the bill involves the Executive Branch and the Ministry of Education in the contemplated appointment, and the Autonomous University of Indigenous Peoples in its organization and the selection of its new Rector. Its content could also concern the university’s authorities, teaching staff, researchers and participants in its outreach, knowledge generation and service activities.