Legal pluralism in Bolivia: from the Guaraní people’s perspective

Written on 16 December 2022.

BY MÓNICA GUZMÁN AND BRUNO ELÍAS DOMÍNGUEZ FOR DEBATES INDÍGENAS

Indigenous justice recognizes that communities have their own organizational structures and allows them to execute their own norms under the guarantee of the nation-state. In this sense, the law promotes harmonious social coexistence and cooperation between ordinary, Indigenous and agro-environmental justice. Despite the existence of a broad regulatory framework that recognizes the plurality of jurisdictions, there are still many obstacles to the exercise of and respect for Indigenous law. It is necessary that Indigenous peoples strengthen their organizations, know their norms and teach the importance of these norms to the new generations.

Regional Seminar on Indigenous Justice. Photo: María Cerezo

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Indigenous Justice in Ecuador

Written on 09 December 2022.

BY MARIANA YUMBAY FOR DEBATES INDÍGENAS

The 2008 Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador establishes Ecuador as a plurinational and intercultural country. One of the most important areas of progress has been that of recognizing Indigenous justice systems to resolve conflicts in their own territories when they affect basic principles such as ama llulla, ama killa, ama shwa and ranti ranti. Taking their own customs, law and socio-economic situation into consideration, sanctions other than imprisonment are imposed. Nevertheless, while the two justice systems should be hierarchically equal, the ordinary justice system in practice limits the powers of the Indigenous authorities while at the same time depriving more than 600 Indigenous people of their freedom.

Indigenous Assembly. Photo: API

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Immediate end to reprisals against defenders of Indigenous Peoples' Rights: The case of Anexa Alfred Cunningham

Written on 10 December 2022.

Joint statement from IPRI and IWGIA

Throughout 2022, an increasing number of Indigenous Human Rights Defenders who engaged with the United Nations have experienced intimidation, harassment, threats, derogatory media campaigns, travel bans, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture and ill-treatment, disbarment, or dismissal from their posts, amongst other human rights violations.

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"Respect for Indigenous Peoples rights is not optional, neither for states nor for business"

Written on 05 December 2022.

In the context of Indigenous Peoples' participation in the 11th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, the Indigenous Caucus made statements at both the opening plenary and closing sessions warning that Indigenous Peoples’ survival as distinct peoples is under threat.

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