RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLES IN ECUADOR: HISTORICAL AND SOCIO-POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The indigenous peoples and nationalities of Ecuador constitute a fundamental pillar in the country’s social and cultural fabric. Their relevance is expressed both in the protection and conservation of biodiversity and in their historical role in the agricultural practices that underpin national food security. However, tensions persist in the full exercise of their rights, despite the normative and constitutional advances achieved in recent decades. This study aims to analyze the recognition and implementation of the rights of nationalities and indigenous peoples in Ecuador, highlighting the challenges they face in the face of discrimination, exclusion, and inequality of opportunity. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, based on documentary review and critical analysis of normative and academic sources. The results highlight the need to strengthen interculturality as a cross-cutting axis of public policies, promoting an inclusive framework that guaranties equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens. In conclusion, the study contributes to reflection on the construction of a truly plurinational and intercultural state, where cultural diversity is recognized as a strategic value for Ecuador’s social and democratic development