Indigenous Strategies and Democratic Renewal in Latin America

• In Event: Indigenous Communities and Human Rights

Abstract

Indigenous and traditional communities in Latin American countries have historically faced neglect of their human rights by their own governments. In response, these communities are not only advocating for the protection of their social and environmental rights, but are also playing a crucial role in strengthening democratic institutions. Amid periods of retrenchment in environmental protection, a key strategy employed by these groups is the implementation of consultation protocols—documents that uphold the norm of Free, Prior, and Informed Consultation (FPIC) enshrined in the ILO Convention No. 169.

Local communities utilize consultation protocols strategically to exert influence on high-level policymakers regarding governance decisions impacting natural resources. Through interviews with stakeholders involved in consultation protocols, it becomes evident that their motivations extend beyond a mere contest for control over natural resources. Instead, their struggle is directed at shaping and pressuring supposedly democratic public institutions. By insisting on free, prior, and informed consultation on environmental projects, these social movements actively contribute to strengthening the democratic praxis of their respective governments.

Consultation protocols represent an innovation in the toolkit of marginalized groups, reflecting how these communities are reimagining and asserting their role as central in the governance of natural resources. Employing Social Network Analysis (SNA), this study maps the intricate relationships among diverse actors within social movements engaged in crafting consultation protocols and disseminating the FPIC norm. A comprehensive examination of consultation protocols across Latin American nations through SNA analysis unveils dynamic collaborations among actors, offering valuable insights into the diffusion of the norm and its impact on environmental decision-making.

This analysis illuminates the ongoing process of political and institutional renovation in Latin America. Social movements are actively demanding greater transparency and accountability from public institutions, prompting a reshaping and reorganization of their modus operandi in response to this evolving pressure.

Author

• V. Miranda Chase, San Diego State University