On March 13, 2025, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) delivered a landmark ruling in the case of Indigenous Peoples Tagaeri and Taromenane v. Ecuador. This historic decision holds the Ecuadorian State accountable for multiple human rights violations against Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation (IPLVI) and mandates measures for their reparation and future protection.
This ruling sets a global precedent in defending the rights of the Tagaeri, Taromenane and other Indigenous groups in voluntary isolation.
A Historic Ruling and What It Means
The IACHR determined that Ecuador violated multiple fundamental rights of the Tagaeri and Taromenane peoples, including their rights to life, personal integrity, collective property, self-determination, dignified living, health, food, cultural identity, a healthy environment, housing, judicial guarantees, and legal protection.
These Indigenous communities, residing deep in Ecuador’s western Amazon, have long faced threats due to extractive activities and a lack of effective territorial protection. The ruling acknowledges these injustices and mandates Ecuador to take immediate action to repair past harm and prevent further violations.
Key Measures Ordered by the Court
To uphold Indigenous rights and ensure their well-being, the Court has ordered Ecuador to:
- Enforce strict protection of the Tagaeri-Taromenane Intangible Zone (ZITT) and regularly review its boundaries.
- Respect the will of the Ecuadorian people, who voted in a national referendum to keep crude oil in the ground at an oil drilling site known as the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT).
- Implement effective measures to prevent future rights violations and provide reparations for past harm.
This decision reinforces the obligation of governments worldwide to protect Indigenous communities in voluntary isolation and recognize their right to remain uncontacted.
Fundación Pachamama’s Position on the Ruling
Our sister organization, Fundación Pachamama, has played a critical role in supporting legal processes that have far-reaching impacts on Indigenous rights and environmental protection. This ruling reaffirms our shared commitment to defending Indigenous sovereignty and the rights of nature, marking a significant step in the global effort to protect IPLVI.
A key figure in this process was Mario Melo, legal counsel for the case, advisor to Fundación Pachamama, and Dean of Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. He also played a pivotal role in the landmark Kichwa people of Sarayaku case, securing another historic ruling for Indigenous rights.
This ruling also highlights Ecuador’s historical debt to IPLVI. For decades, these communities have faced threats from extractive industries and inadequate territorial protection. It is time to uphold their right to exist on their own terms, ensuring their self-determination and survival for generations to come.
Fundación Pachamama’s Urgent Call to Protect the Intangible Territory
Fundación Pachamama urges the Ecuadorian State to immediately implement the measures mandated by the IACHR, ensuring comprehensive protection of the Intangible Zone while respecting the will of Indigenous peoples in isolation to remain uncontacted. Public policies must be enacted to safeguard their lands and prevent activities that threaten their existence.
"This ruling is a victory for Indigenous peoples in isolation and for all who defend their rights. The IACHR has set a precedent that obligates States to respect and protect these peoples' lives and territories, recognizing their right to self-determination and to remain in isolation if they choose." – Mario Melo
