Esta obra constituye un estudio exhaustivo sobre diferentes aspectos de la jurisdicción especial indígena como institución y fenómeno social. Está dirigida a estudiantes universitarios y profesionales en general interesados en profundizar acerca del tema del reconocimiento de los derechos indígenas, principalmente el de la potestad de administrar justicia. Representa entonces un estudio interdisciplinar que si bien centra su enfoque en el derecho, igualmente abarca la filosofía, la antropología, la sociología jurídica y la ciencia política para realizar una detallada caracterización y un riguroso análisis acerca de la regulación de la jurisdicción indígena en distintos países de América Latina, con especial énfasis en la legislación colombiana.

Esta investigación busca dar una contribución al Derecho procesal español, desde una perspectiva académica. La cual pueda brindar nuevas ideas en la profundización y concienciación de la existencia de pueblos indígenas latinoamericanos, cuyos Derechos y formas de administrar justicia gozan de reconocimiento nacional e internacional. Se pretende entonces, demostrar que éste es un tema de actualidad y con plena vigencia, incluso, dentro de un país europeo sin población indígena como lo es España.

Latin America has a long tradition of constitutional reform. Since the democratic transitions of the 1980s, most countries have amended their constitutions at least once, and some have even undergone constitutional reform several times. The global phenomenon of a new constitutionalism, with enhanced rights provisions, finds expression in the region, but the new constitutions, such as those of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, also have some peculiar characteristics which are discussed in this important book. Authors from a number of different disciplines offer a general overview of constitutional reforms in Latin America since 1990. They explore the historical, philosophical and doctrinal differences between traditional and new constitutionalism in Latin America and examine sources of inspiration. The book also covers sociopolitical settings, which factors and actors are relevant for the reform process, and analyzes the constitutional practices after reform, including the question of whether the recent constitutional reforms created new post-liberal democracies with an enhanced human and social rights record, or whether they primarily serve the ambitions of new political leaders.

Traditionally relegated because of political pressure and public expectations, courts in Latin America are increasingly asserting a stronger role in public and political discussions. This casebook takes account of this phenomenon, by offering a rigorous and up-to-date discussion of constitutional adjudication in Latin America in recent decades. Bringing to the forefront the development of constitutional law by Latin American courts in various subject matters, the volume aims to highlight a host of creative arguments and solutions that judges in the region have offered. The authors review and discuss innovative case law in light of the countries’ social, political and legal context. Each chapter is devoted to a discussion of a particular area of judicial review, from freedom of expression to social and economic rights, from the internalization of human rights law to judicial checks on the economy, from gender and reproductive rights to transitional justice. The book thus provides a very useful tool to scholars, students and litigants alike.