Though Mexico officially states that it adheres to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), authorities at all levels of government as well as society in general have consistently shown disrespect for Indigenous communities and continually violate their rights. The political, economic, social and cultural structures of Indigenous people have largely been disregarded and their right to self-determination ignored.

Canadian Jesuits International supports this project which focuses on peace building from an Indigenous perspective. Conflict Resolution from the Tseltal Normative System was initiated by the AC Indigenous Rights Centre (CEDIAC) in Chiapas, Mexico and aims to promote conflict resolution mechanisms based on reconciliation and community integrity. It also supports the right of Indigenous people to self-determination and governance.

Those involved assist in conflict resolution within communities, mediating between affected parties and aiming for reconciliation and forgiveness, thus avoiding the difficulties of a local or state government court intervention. This has allowed the revival, development and adoption of the Tseltal regulatory system that is able to take into account poverty, exclusion and forced migration that Indigenous communities experience.

To date, this project has worked directly with 50 councillors and 120 promoters in 40 communities on conflict resolution cases. The long-term goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of local communities to manage the conflict resolution system on their own as part of their right to self-determination.

Coordinator: Dania Martínez García
Indigenous Rights Centre – CEDIAC