The justice system and agricultural activity in the rights of indigenous peoples in Ecuador

Abstract

Food production in indigenous communities is essential not only for their survival, but also for maintaining their cultural traditions and economic autonomy. Through sustainable agricultural practices and the use of ancestral knowledge, indigenous communities can ensure food security and preserve their cultural heritage. The Ecuadorian constitution, in its article 171, recognizes indigenous justice, marking significant progress towards legal pluralism in Ecuador and Latin America. The objective of this research was to analyze how the indigenous justice system and the ordinary justice system interact in Ecuador, identifying challenges and opportunities to ensure access to justice and respect for cultural diversity, with an emphasis on conflicts that arise in the order of food production and its commercialization. A qualitative approach was used that allowed a broad understanding of the indigenous justice system and its relationship with the ordinary system, addressing both normative aspects and public perception and concrete experiences. The analysis reveals that the lack of adequate resources in both justice systems remains a major obstacle to the effective implementation of this model of coexistence and the protection of food production in communities that guarantee the sovereignty of these communities and respect for the systems established within them. The justice systems, in their joint action, show progress in organization and execution, although it is evident that some challenges still exist.Keywords: Justice, Indigenous communities, Food, Agriculture, Integration.