I. INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES AND PRECEDENTS
1.
Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UN 1994)
Article 2:
"Indigenous individuals and peoples are free and equal to all
other individuals and peoples in dignity and rights, and have the right to
be free from any kind of adverse discrimination, in particular that based on
their indigenous origin or identity."
2.
C 169, Convention on Indigenous and Tribal People (ILO Convention
1989)
Article
3:
1. "Indigenous and
tribal peoples shall enjoy the full measure of human rights and fundamental
freedoms without hindrance or discrimination. The provisions of the
Convention shall be applied without discrimination to male and female
members of these peoples.
2.
No form of force or coercion shall be used in violation of the human
rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples concerned including the
rights contained in this Convention."
3.
American Convention on Human Rights (OAS 1969)
Article
1(1): “The States Parties to this Convention undertake to respect the
rights and freedoms recognized herein and to ensure to all persons subject
to their jurisdiction the free and full exercise of those rights and
freedoms, without any discrimination for reasons of race, color, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
economic status, birth, or any other social condition.”
4. Asamblea General de
la OEA. Res. Doc. 3136/94
“No discriminación y tolerancia
1.
Condenar enérgicamente toda forma de racismo, discriminación racial
o religiosa, xenofobia o tolerancia.
2.
Declarar que tales conductas violan los derechos humanos y en
especial los referentes a la igualdad y libertad religiosa
3.
Invitar a los distinto órganos y entidades de la OEA a tomar medidas
efectivas y oportunas para fomentar la tolerancia y erradicar las conductas
racistas discriminatorias.
4. Instar a los Estados
miembros a fortalecer sus políticas, programas y medidas para prevenir y
evitar toda forma de racismo, discriminación racial o religiosa, xenofobia
e tolerancia.
5.
Charter of the United Nations. 1945
Article
1: "The Purposes of the United Nations are 3. To achieve international co-operation in solving
international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian
character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for
fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language,
or religion."
6.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN 1966)
Article 3: “The State Parties
to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women
to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights set forth in the present
Covenant.”
Article
26: "All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any
discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination
and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against
discrimination.”
7.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UN
1966)
Article 2(2): “The State
Parties to the present Covenant undertake to guarantee that the rights
enunciated in the present Covenant will be exercised without discrimination
of any kind as to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority,
property, birth or other status.”
Article
3: “The State Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the
equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and
cultural rights set forth in the present Covenant.”
8.
International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial
Discrimination (UN 1965)
Article 2(1): “State Parties
condemn racial discrimination and undertake to pursue by all appropriate
means and without delay a policy of eliminating racial discrimination in all
its forms and promoting understanding among all races, and to this end.
(c) Each State Party shall take
effective measures to review governmental, national and local policies, and
to amend, rescind or nullify any laws and regulations which have the effect
of creating or perpetuating racial discrimination wherever it exists;...”
(e) Each State Party undertakes
to encourage, where appropriate, integrationist multi-racial organizations
and movements and other means of eliminating barriers between races, and to
discourage anything which tends to strengthen racial division.”
Article 2(2): “State Parties
shall, when the circumstances so warrant, take, in the social, economic,
cultural and other fields, special and concrete measures to ensure the
adequate development and protection of certain racial groups or individuals
belonging to them, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the full and equal
enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
These measures shall in no case entail as a consequence the
maintenance of unequal or separate rights for different racial groups after
the objectives for which they were taken have been achieved.”
Article
7: “State Parties undertake to adopt immediate and effective measures,
particularly in the fields of teaching, education, culture and information,
with a view to combating prejudices which lead to racial discrimination and
to promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations and
racial or ethnical groups, as well as propagating the purposes and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination, and this Covention.”
9.
Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
(UN 1948)
Article II: "In the present
Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent
to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious
group, as such:
(a)
Killing members of the group;
(b)
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on
the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical
destruction in whole or in part;
(d)
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e)
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group."
10.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN 1948)
Article
7: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any
discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal
protection against any discrimination...”
11.
Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice (UNESCO 1982)
-Article 1(2): "All
individuals and groups have the right to be different, to consider
themselves as different and to be regarded as such. However, the diversity
of life styles and the right to be different may not, in any circumstances,
serve as a pretext for racial prejudice; they may not justify either in law
or in fact any discriminatory practice whatsoever, nor provide a ground for
the policy of apartheid, which is the extreme form of racism."
-Article 6(3): "... Where
circumstances warrant, special programmes should be undertaken to promote
the advancement of disadvantaged groups and, in the case of nationals, to
ensure their effective participation in the decision-making processes of the
community."
-Article 8(1). "Individuals,
being entitled to an economic, social, cultural and legal order, on the
national and international planes, such as to allow them to exercise all
their capabilities on a basis of entire equality of rights and
opportunities, have corresponding duties towards their fellows, towards the
society in which they live and towards the international community. They are
accordingly under an obligation to promote harmony among the peoples, to
combat racism and racial prejudice and to assist by every means available to
them in eradicating racial discrimination in all its forms."
-Article
9(2): "Special measures must be taken to ensure equality in dignity and
rights for individuals and groups wherever necessary, while ensuring that
they are not such as to appear racially discriminatory. In this respect,
particular attention should be paid to racial or ethnic groups which are
socially or economically disadvantaged, so as to afford them, on a
completely equal footing and without discrimination or restriction, the
protection of the laws and regulations and the advantages of the social
measures in force, in particular in regard to housing, employment and
health; to respect the authenticity of their culture and values; and to
facilitate their social and occupational advancement, especially through
education."
12. Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic
Religious or Linguistic Minorities (UN 1990)
Article 2(1): “Persons
belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities...have
the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own
religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely
and without interference or any form of discrimination.”
Article 3(1): “Persons
belonging to minorities may exercise their rights, including those
set forth in the preent Declaration, individually as well as in community
with other members of their group, without any discrimination.”
Article
4(1): “States shall take measures where required to ensure that persons
belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all their human
rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full
equality before the law.”
13.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, "General
Recommendation XXIII (51) Concerning Indigenous Peoples," (August 1997)
"The Committee calls in
particular upon States parties to:
b. ensure that the
indigenous peoples are free and equal in dignity and rights and free from
any discrimination, in particular that based on indigenous origin or
identity;
d.
ensure that members of indigenous peoples have equal rights in
respect of effective participation in public life, and that no decisions
directly relating to their rights and interests are taken without their
informed consent."
14. Treaty on Central American Social Integration, signed by the
governments of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and
Panama, Cerro Verde, Republic of El Salvador (March 30, 1995)
Capítulo
II. Article 6: "Principles: The States Parties to the present Treaty
will act in accordance with the following principles (e) Non-discrimination
on the basis of nationality, race, ethnic group, age, illness, disability,
religion, sex, ideology, civil or family status, or any other kind of social
exclusion."
15. African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Banjul Charter 1981)
Article 19: “All peoples shall
be equal; they shall enjoy the same respect and shall have the same
rights."
16.
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms
Article
14: ”The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention
shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race,
color, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other
status.”
17. Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action
of the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, Denmark, March 6-12,
1995)
Annex II:
Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development
Content.
Chapter IV. Social Integration
-Para.
B(73): "Eliminating discrimination and promoting tolerance and mutual
respect for and the value of diversity at the national and international
levels requires: (a) Enacting and implementing appropriate laws and other
regulations to combat racism, racial discrimination, religious intolerance
in all its various forms, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination in all
walks of life in societies;"
18. Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable for Sustainable
Development, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Statement of
Principles. Final Text of Agreements Negotiated by Governments at UNCED
Conference, June 1992, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
26.1:
"...Indigenous people and their communities shall enjoy the full
measure of human rights and fundamental freedoms without hindrance or
discrimination..."
19.
Alliance for Sustainable Development documents signed by the
Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and
Panama and a Representative of the Prime Minister of Belize, at the Central
American Ecological Summit for Sustainable Development in Managua,
Nicaragua, (October 12, 1994)
Annex
II: Commitments of the Alliance:
"Social Commitments:
Actions
Against Discrimination - We pledge to continue striving to eliminate from
Central American societies all actions that may encourage discrimination
because of gender, ethnic background, nationality, age, health, religious
and political beliefs. We reiterate our commitment to establish the
necessary conditions for eliminating all forms of discrimination from our
societies."
20. Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action
of the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, Denmark, March 6-12,
1995)
C.
Commitments
Commitment 5. "We commit
ourselves to promoting full respect for human dignity and to achieving
equality and equity between women and men....we will: (b) Establish
structures, policies, objectives and measurable goals to ensure gender
balance and equity in decision-making processes at all levels, broaden
women's political, economic, social and cultural opportunities and
independence, and support the empowerment of women, including through their
various organizations, especially those of indigenous women, those at the
grass-roots level, and those of poverty-stricken communities, including
through affirmative action, where necessary, and also through measures to
integrate a gender perspective in the design and implementation of economic
and social policies"
21. Summit of the Americas Plan of Action, signed by 34 heads of state
participating in the Summit of the Americas (Miami, Florida 1994)
I. "Preserving
and Strengthening the Community of Democracies of the Americas.
2. Promoting and
Protecting Human Rights. Governments
will:... Review and strengthen laws for the protection of the rights of
minority groups and indigenous people and communities to ensure freedom from
discrimination, to guarantee full and equal protection under the law, and to
facilitate active civic participation.
3. Invigorating
Society/Community Participation. Governments
will:... Take steps to improve the participation in social activities and
initiatives of groups traditionally marginalized, including women, youth,
indigenous people and the extremely poor."
22. Advisory Opinion of the Permanent International Court of Justice in
1935 on Minority Schools in Albania (1935).
"The idea underlying the
treaties for the protections of minorities is to secure for certain elements
incorporated in a State, the population of which differs from them in race,
language or religion, the possibility of living peaceably alongside that
population and co-operating amicably with it, while at the same time
preserving the characteristics which distinguish them from the majority, and
satisfying the ensuing special needs.
In order to attain this object,
two things were regarded as particularly necessary, and have formed the
subject of provisions in these treaties.
The first to ensure that
nationals belonging to racial, religious or linguistic minorities shall be
placed in every respect on a footing of perfect quality with the other
nationals of the State.
The second is to ensure for the
minority elements suitable means for the preservation of their racial
peculiarities, their traditions and their national characteristics.
These two requirements are indeed
closely interlocked for there would be no true equality between a majority
and a minority if the latter were deprived of its own institutions, and were
consequently compelled to renounce that which constitutes the very essence
of its being as a minority."
23. Advisory Opinion on Namibia 1971
Of the International Court of Justice
"Under the Charter of the
United Nations, the former Mandatory had pledge itself to observe and
respect, in a territory having an international status, human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race. To establish
instead, and to enforce, distinctions, exclusions, restrictions and
limitations exclusively based on grounds of race, color, descent or national
or ethnic origin which constitute a denial of fundamental human rights is a
flagrant violation of the Purposes and Principles of the Charter.”
24.
Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Concluding
Observations on Report of Chile (1999)
“The Committee appreciated and
commended the Government of Chile for openly recognizing the existence of
racial discrimination on its territory and historical links with the
conquest and colonialism. It
welcomed the initiatives taken by the State party in order to ensure the
rights of its indigenous population. The Committee noted with interest that
further steps had been taken towards reform of the domestic legislation, in
particular the proposed amendments to the Constitution to strengthen the
legal status of the indigenous population.
Concerned was expressed about
research showing that a considerable part of the Chilean population
demonstrated intolerant and racist tendencies. The Committee also expressed
its concern at the absence of specific legislation to enforce some of the
provisions of the Convention. It
took note that the 1993 Indigenous Act contained a specific article
declaring intentional discrimination against indigenous persons, an offence
punishable by law. The Committee was further concerned about land disputes
between the Mapuche population and national and multinational private
companies, which resulted in tension, violence, clashes with law enforcement
officials and allegedly led to arbitrary arrests of members of the
indigenous population.”
25. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Second Report on the
Situation of Human Rights in Guatemala (1993)
Acknowledging the rights and
principles set forth in Articles 58 and 66 of the Constitution of Guatemala
and further finding that "many actions by the Guatemalan State reflect
a cultural stereotype that is discriminatory. One of these is the
educational system, where the history, geographic place names, language of
instruction, and even the ethical values disdain or ignore those used by the
majority of the population, thereby undermining their cultural integrity and
their right to dignity. In January 1993, President Serrano announced that
the socio-linguistic map had been completed to strengthen bilingual
education by means of ambitious programs that would begin this year."
26. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Report on the Situation of
Human Rights of a Segment of the Nicaraguan Population of Miskito Origin and
Resolution on the Friendly Settlement Procedure Regarding the Human Rights
Situation of a Segment of the Nicaraguan Population of Miskito Origin, Case
No. 7964 (Nicaragua 1984)
"based on the principle of
equality: for example, if a child is educated in a language which is not his
native language, this can mean that the child is treated on an equal basis
with other children who are educated in their native language.
The protection of minorities, therefore, requires affirmative action
to safeguard the rights of minorities whenever the people in question...wish
to maintain their distinction of language and culture."
II. DOMESTIC AUTHORITIES AND PRECEDENTS
27. Argentina
Constitución de la Nación Argentina
Artículo
16: "La Nación Argentina
no admite prerrogativas de sangre, ni de nacimiento: no hay en ella fueros
personales ni títulos de nobleza. Todos sus habitantes son iguales antes la
ley, y admisibles en los empleos sin otra condición que la idoneidad. La
igualdad es la base del impuesto y de las cargas públicas”.
26. Bolivia
Constitución Política de Bolivia
Artículo 6(I): "Todo ser humano tiene
personalidad y capacidad jurídica, con arreglo a las leyes. Goza de los
derechos, libertades y garantías reconocidos por esta Constitución, sin
distinción de raza, sexo, idioma, religión, opinión política o de otra
índole, origen, condición económica o social u otra cualquiera”.
27. Brazil
Constitución de la República Federativa de Brasil
Art.
5. Todos são iguais perante a lei, sem distinção de qualquer natureza,
garantindo-se aos brasileiros e aos estrangeiros residentes no País a
inviolabilidade do direito à vida, à liberdade, à igualdade, à segurança
e a propriedade, nos termos seguintes:
28. Canada
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)
Article
15: (1) "Every individual is equal before the and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.
(2) Subsection (1) does not
preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the
amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including
those that are disadvantaged because or race, national or ethnic origin,
colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability."
- Canada Constitution Act of 1982
Part
II: "Rights of Aborginial Peoples of Canada
Article 35: ...(4)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the aboriginal and treaty
rights referred to in subsection (1) are guaranteed equally to male and
female persons."
29. Colombia
- Resolución No. 10.013 de 1981
"Considerando
[q]ue la población indígena amerita un tratamiento preferencial por sus
condiciones socio-culturales especiales”.
- Constitución Política
Artículo 13: "Todas las personas nacen libres e
iguales ante la ley, recibirán la misma protección y trato de las
autoridades y gozarán de los mismos derechos, libertades y oportunidades
sin ninguna discriminación por razones de sexo, raza, origen nacional o
familiar, lengua, religión, opinión política o filosófica”.
30. Costa Rica
Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica
Artículo 33: "Todo hombre es igual ante la ley
y no podrá hacerse discriminación alguna contraria a la dignidad
humana”.
31. Chile
- Constitución Política de la República de Chile
Artículo
1. "Las personas nacen libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos”.
- Ley 19253 de 1993
Artículo 8:" Se considerará falta la
discriminación manifiesta e intencionada en contra de los indígenas, en
razón de su origen y su cultura. El que incurriere en esta conducta será
sancionado con multa de uno a cinco ingresos mínimos mensuales”.
32. Ecuador
Constitución Política de la República de Ecuador
Artículo
23: "Sin perjuicio de los derechos establecidos en esta Constitución y
en los instrumentos internacionales vigentes, el Estado reconocerá y
garantizará a las personas los siguientes:
3. La igualdad ante la ley.
En consecuencia todas las personas serán consideradas iguales y
gozarán de los mismos derechos, libertades y oportunidades, sin
discriminación en razón de nacimiento, edad, sexo, etnia, color, origen
social, idioma; religión, filiación política, posición económica,
orientación sexual; estado de salud, discapacidad, o diferencia de
cualquier otra índole.
24. El derecho a la identidad, de acuerdo con
la ley.
Artículo 24: Para asegurar el debido proceso deberán
observarse las siguientes garantías básicas, sin menoscabo de otras que
establezcan la Constitución, los instrumentos internacionales, las leyes o
la jurisprudencia.
5. Toda persona tendrá el derecho de ser debida y
oportunamente informada de las acciones iniciadas en su contra, en su lengua
materna.
11. Nadie podrá ser privado del derecho de defensa
en ningún estado o grado del respectivo procedimiento.
El Estado establecerá defensores públicos para el patrocinio de las
comunidades indígenas, de los trabajadores, de las mujeres y de los menores
de edad abandonados o víctimas de violencia intrafamiliar o sexual, y de
toda persona que no disponga de medios económicos.
Artículo 81: El Estado reconocerá y garantizará a
los pueblos indígenas, de conformidad con esta Constitución y la ley, el
respeto al orden público y a los derechos humanos, los siguientes derechos
colectivos a los pueblos indígenas:
1.
Mantener, desarrollar y fortalecer su identidad y tradiciones en lo
espiritual, cultural, lingüístico, social, político y económico.
2.
Conservar la propiedad imprescriptible de las tierras comunitarias,
que serán inalienables, inembargables e indivisibles, salvo la facultad del
Estado para declarar su utilidad pública. Estas tierras estarán exentas
del pago del impuesto predial.
3.
Mantener la posesión ancestral de las tierras comunitarias y a
obtener su adjudicación gratuita, conforme a la ley.
4.
Participar en el uso, usufructo, administración y conservación de
los recursos naturales renovables que se hallen en sus tierras.
5.
Ser consultados sobre planes y programas de prospección y explotación
de recursos no renovables que se hallen en sus tierras y que puedan
afectarlos ambiental o culturalmente; participar en los beneficios que esos
proyectos reporten, en cuanto sea posible y recibir indemnizaciones por los
perjuicios socio-ambientales que les causen.
6.
Conservar y promover sus prácticas de manejo de la biodiversidad y
de su entorno natural.
7.
Conservar y desarrollar sus formas tradicionales de convivencia y
organización social, de generación y ejercicio de la autoridad.
8.
A no ser desplazados, como pueblos, de sus tierras.
9.
A la propiedad intelectual colectiva de sus conocimientos
ancestrales; a su valoración, uso y desarrollo conforme a la ley.
10.
Mantener, desarrollar y administrar su patrimonio cultural e histórico.
11.
Acceder a una educación de calidad. Contar con el sistema de educación
intercultural bilingüe.
12.
A sus sistemas, conocimientos y prácticas de medicina tradicional,
incluido el derecho a la protección de los lugares rituales y sagrados,
plantas, animales, minerales y ecosistemas de interés vital desde el punto
de vista de aquella.
13.
Formular prioridades en planes y proyectos para el desarrollo y
mejoramiento de sus condiciones económicas y sociales; y a un adecuado
financiamiento del Estado.
14.
Participar, mediante representantes, en los organismos oficiales que
determine la ley.
15.
Usar símbolos y emblemas que los identifiquen.
34. El Salvador
Constitución de la República de El Salvador
Artículo
3: Todas las personas son iguales ante la ley. Para el goce de los derechos
civiles no podrán establecerse restricciones que se basen en diferencias de
nacionalidad, raza, sexo o religión.
33. United States
- Morton v. Mancari, 417 U.S. 535
(1974). Upholding a statutory "Indian preference" for hiring by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs ("BIA") and relying on the fact that the statute's purpose was to assist
Indian self-government, the Supreme Court stated that:
"Literally
every piece of legislation dealing with Indian tribes and reservations, and
certainly all legislation dealing with the BIA, single out for special
treatment a constituency of tribal Indians living on or near reservations.
If these laws, derived from historical relationships and explicitly designed
to help only Indians, were deemed invidious racial discrimination, an entire
Title of the United States Code [25 U.S.C.A.] would be effectively erased
and the solemn commitment of the Government toward the Indian would be
jeopardized"
- Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII
42 U.S.C. §2000e-2(i)
"Nothing contained in this
subchapter shall apply to any business or enterprise on or near an Indian
Reservation with respect to any publicly announced employment practice of
such business or enterprise under which a preferential treatment is given to
any individual because he is an Indian living on or near a
reservation."
34. Guatemala
Constitución Política de la República de Guatemala
Artículo 4: "Libertad e igualdad. En Guatemala
todos los seres humanos son libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos. El
hombre y la mujer, cualquiera que sea su estado civil, tienen iguales
oportunidades y responsabilidades. Ninguna persona puede ser sometida a
servidumbre ni a otra condición que menoscabe su dignidad. Los seres
humanos deben guardar conducta fraternal entre sí”.
- Agreement on identity
and rights of indigenous peoples
Article II. A. Struggle against
de jure and de facto discrimination
1. To overcome the
age-old discrimination against indigenous peoples the assistance of all
citizens will be needed in the effort to change thinking, attitudes and
behavior. This change must begin with a clear recognition by all Guatemalans
of the reality of racial discrimination and of the compelling need to
overcome it and achieve true peaceful coexistence.
2. For its part, with a
view to eradicating discrimination against the indigenous peoples, the
Government shall take the following measures:
(a) Promote in the Guatemalan
Congress, the classification of ethnic discrimination as a criminal offence;
(b) Promote a review by the
Guatemalan Congress of existing legislation with a view to abolishing any
law or provision that could have discriminatory implications for the
indigenous peoples;
(c) Widely disseminate
information on the rights of the indigenous peoples through education, the
communications media and through other channels; and
(d) Promote the effective
protection of such rights. To that end, promote the creation of legal
offices for the defence of indigenous rights and the installation of popular
law offices to provide free legal assistance for persons of limited economic
means in municipalities in which indigenous communities are prevalent.
Furthermore, the Office of the Counsel for Human Rights and other
organizations for the protection of human rights are urged to give special
attention to the protection of the rights of the Maya, Garifuna and Xinca
peoples.
35. Mexico
- Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Artículo
4: "...El varón y la mujer son iguales ante la ley.
Esta protegerá la organización y el desarrollo de la familia”.
-
Código Penal para el Distrito Federal en Materia de Fuero Común, y para
toda la República en Materia de Fuero Federal.
Artículo 149 bis: "Comete el delito de
genocidio el que con el propósito de destruir, total o parcialmente a uno o
más grupos nacionales o de carácter étnico, racial o religioso,
perpetrase por cualquier medio, delitos contra la vida de miembros de aquéllos,
o impusiere la esterilización masiva con el fin de impedir la reproducción
del grupo.
Por tal delito se impondrán de veinte a cuarenta años
de prisión y multa de quince mil a veinte mil pesos.
Si con idéntico propósito se llevaren a cabo
ataques a la integridad corporal o a la salud de los miembros de dichas
comunidades o se trasladaren de ellas a otros grupos menores de dieciséis años,
empleando para ello la violencia física o moral, la sanción será de cinco
a veinte años de prisión y multa de dos
mil a siete mil pesos.
Se aplicarán las mismas sanciones señaladas en el párrafo
anterior, a quien con igual propósito someta intencionalmente al grupo a
condiciones de existencia que hayan de acarrear su destrucción física,
total o parcial.
En caso que los responsables de dichos delitos fueren
gobernantes, funcionarios o empleados públicos y las cometieren en
ejercicio de sus funciones o con motivo de ellas, además de la sanción
establecida en este artículo se les aplicarán las penas señaladas en el
artículo 15 de la Ley de Responsabilidades de los Funcionarios y Empleados
de la Federación"
- Ley de Derechos de los Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas
del Estado de Oaxaca
Artículo
15: "Los pueblos y comunidades indígenas tienen derecho social a vivir
dentro de sus tradiciones culturales en libertad, paz y seguridad como
culturas distintas y a gozar de plenas garantías contra toda forma de
discriminación. "
Artículo 16: "Comete el delito de etnocidio y
se sancionará con prisión de tres a seis años y multa de doscientos a
quinientos salarios mínimos:
I.
Al que por cualquier medio atente contra el derecho de los pueblos y
comunidades indígenas a disfrutar, enriquecer y transmitir su propia
cultura y su propia lengua;
II.
Al que atente contra la integridad física, salud o reproducción de
los integrantes de los pueblos y comunidades indígenas con el propósito de
destruirlos total o parcialmente;
III.
Al que fomente de manera coercitiva y por medio de la violencia o el
engaño la asimilación de los integrantes de los pueblos y comunidades indígenas
a otras culturas o modos de vida; o motiven su dispersión a través de
desplazamientos o separaciones involuntarias de sus familias o de sus
territorios”.
Artículo 17: "Al que discrimine culturalmente
en forma grave y por cualquier medio a los integrantes de un pueblo o
comunidad indígena, se le sancionará con prisión de tres días a un año,
o multa de cien a doscientos cincuenta salarios mínimos, o ambas a juicio
del juez.
Se entiende por discriminación cultural grave toda
acción u omisión que implique deshonra, descrédito o perjuicio al sujeto
pasivo en razón de su calidad de indígena"
Artículo 30: "Los pueblos y comunidades indígenas
tienen derecho social a vivir en libertad, paz y seguridad como pueblos
diferenciados y a gozar de plenas garantías contra actos de discriminación,
violencia, reacomodos o desplazamientos forzados, separación de niñas y niños
indígenas de sus familias y comunidades bajo ningún pretexto”.
36. Nicaragua
Constitution of Nicaragua
Article
48: “Unconditonal equality among Nicaraguans in the enjoyment of political
rights is established. In the
exercise of these rights and in these responsibilities and obligations,
there exist absolute equality between men and women.
It is the obligation of the state to remove obstacles that impede
effective participation of Nicaraguans in the political, economic, and
social life of the country.”
Article
91: “The state is obligated to enact laws promoting that no Nicaraguan
shall be the object of discrimination for reasons of language, culture, or
origin.”
37. Panama
Constitución Política de la República de
Panamá
Artículo
19: ”No habrá fueros o privilegios penales ni discriminación por razón
de raza, nacimiento, clase social, sexo, religión o ideas políticas”.
Artículo 39: ”... No se otorgará reconocimiento a
las asociaciones inspiradas en ideas o teorías basadas en la pretendida
superioridad de una raza o de un grupo étnico, o que justifiquen o
promuevan la discriminación racial”.
38. Paraguay
Constitución de la República de Paraguay
Artículo 46. "De la igualdad de las
personas
Todos los habitantes de la República son iguales en
dignidad y derechos. No se admiten discriminaciones. El Estado removerá los
obstáculos e impedirá los factores que las mantengan o las propicien.
Las protecciones que se establezcan sobre
desigualdades injustas no serán consideradas como factores discriminatorios
sino igualitarios.
Artículo 47. "De las garantías de la
igualdad
El Estado garantizará a todos los habitantes
de la República:
1.
la igualdad para el acceso a la justicia, a cuyo efecto allanará los
obstáculos que la impidiesen;
2.
la igualdad ante las leyes;
3.
la igualdad para el acceso a las funciones públicas no electivas,
sin más requisitos que la idoneidad, y
4.
la igualdad de oportunidades en la participación de los beneficios
de la naturaleza, de los bienes materiales y de la cultura.
39. Peru
Constitución Política del Perú
Artículo
2: "Toda persona tiene su derecho: ... (2) A la igualdad ante la Ley.
Nadie debe ser discriminado por motivo de origen, raza, sexo, idioma, religión,
opinión, condición económica o de cualquier otra índole... (19) ... Todo
peruano tiene derecho a usar su propio idioma ante cualquier autoridad
mediante un intérprete...
"
40. Trinidad
and Tobago
Constitution of the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
(1980)
Article 4: "It is hereby
recognized and declared that in Trinidad and Tobago there have existed and
shall continue to exist without discrimination by reason of race, origin,
colour, religion or sex, the following fundamental human rights and
freedoms, namely.
b. the right of the
individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law."
41. Suriname
Constitution of Suriname
Article 8: "All who are
within the territory of Suriname shall have an equal claim to protection of
person and property. No one shall be discriminated against on the grounds of
birth, sex, race, language, religious origin, education, political beliefs,
economic position or any other status"
42. Venezuela
Constitución de la República de Venezuela
Artículo
21: "El gobierno y la administración de cada Estado corresponden a un
Gobernador, quién además de Jefe del Ejecutivo del Estado es agente del
Ejecutivo Nacional en su respectiva circunscripción.”
Para ser Gobernador se requiere ser venezolano por
nacimiento, mayor de treinta años y de estado seglar.
Artículo 61: "No se permitirán
discriminaciones fundadas en la raza, el sexo, el credo o la condición
social. Los documentos de identificación para los actos de la vida civil no
contendrán mención alguna que califique la filiación.
No se dará otro tratamiento oficial sino el de ciudadano y usted,
salvo las fórmulas diplomáticas. No
se reconocerán títulos nobiliarios ni distinciones hereditarias”.
Artículo 77: "El Estado propenderá a mejorar
las condiciones de vida de la población campesina. La ley establecerá el régimen
de excepción que requiera la protección de las comunidades de indígenas y
su incorporación progresiva a la vida de la Nación”.
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