The Case of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Substantive Justice and the Right to Self-Determination
El Caso de los Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina: Justicia Sustantiva y Derecho a la Autodeterminación
Keywords:
indigenous peoples, self determination, substantive justice, Latin America, collective rightsAbstract
This paper explores the dimension of substantive justice within the context of indigenous peoples’ right to self‑determination in Latin America. It contends that substantive justice requires not only formal recognition of collective and individual indigenous rights, but also their actualisation in conditions of equality, meaningful participation, and cultural respect. Drawing on case studies across several Latin American countries, the study examines how public policies, legal frameworks, and governance practices have responded—and at times failed—to these demands. Findings indicate that despite legislative advances, implementation remains uneven, with barriers such as inadequate prior consultation, economic exclusion, and development models imposed without cultural recognition. The study concludes by proposing a substantive justice approach that incorporates participatory mechanisms, indigenous control over resources, and genuine transformation of legal and social relations.
Este estudio aborda la dimensión de la justicia sustantiva en el marco del derecho a la autodeterminación de los pueblos indígenas en América Latina. Se argumenta que la justicia sustantiva exige que no solo se reconozcan formalmente los derechos colectivos e individuales de los pueblos indígenas, sino que también se materialicen en condiciones de igualdad, participación efectiva y respeto cultural. A partir de casos en varios países latinoamericanos, se analiza cómo las políticas públicas, los marcos legales y las prácticas de gobernanza han respondido —o no— a estas exigencias. Los hallazgos muestran que, pese a avances legislativos, la implementación sigue siendo desigual, con obstáculos tales como la falta de consulta previa, la exclusión económica y la imposición de modelos de desarrollo sin reconocimiento cultural. El estudio concluye proponiendo un enfoque de justicia sustantiva que incorpore mecanismos de participación, control indígena sobre recursos y real transformación de las relaciones jurídicas y sociales.
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