The Indigenous Justice System and the Protection of the Right to Cultural Identity in Riobamba.

Abstract

The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador explicitly guarantees the right of people to form and preserve their cultural identity, reflecting the State's commitment to inclusion and respect for the diverse cultures that coexist in the country. This legal framework promotes harmonious coexistence among indigenous communities and establishes the recognition of the collective rights of indigenous communes, peoples, nationalities and communities, with the objective of ensuring their autonomy to preserve, develop and strengthen their cultural identity. In Ecuador, indigenous justice acts as a mechanism that protects culture and facilitates conflict resolution within indigenous collectives, ensuring that all members feel heard and understood. In this context, it is crucial to recognize the role of indigenous authorities in understanding how this system operates, which is not only based on respect for their traditions, but also provides a particular vision of customary justice. The study in question employed a qualitative approach to analyze indigenous justice and its link to the right to cultural identity in Riobamba, using open interviews as the main data