The Colonial Legacy and Human Rights in Mexico: Indigenous Rights and the Zapatista Movement

Authors

Alexander Karklins

Abstract

The current status of human rights in Latin America has been profoundly affected by the legacy of colonial institutions. Since the time of conquest, through colonialism, and after independence, the growth of the Latin American state has been challenged by the alternative discourse of indigenous rights. In Mexico, the dominance of mestizaje (or the quest for a single Mexican ethnic identity) in the formation of its modern state apparatus has left indigenous cultures out of the realm of political participation and exposed to human rights violations. With the Zapatista uprising of 1994-1996, the contradictions inherent in Mexico’s constitution were brought to the forefront and placed the discourse of indigenous rights squarely on the global human rights agenda. Mexico provides an interesting case in the evolution of indigenous rights discourse, considering the large number of indigenous groups within its borders, especially in Oaxaca and Chiapas. The Zapatista rebellion illustrates the ways in which indigenous claims have sought to challenge the state, as well as claims of universality in global human rights policies. It has, in many ways, forced the leaders of the Mexican State to take a hard look at its colonial past.

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Recommended Citation

Karklins, Alexander (2009) "The Colonial Legacy and Human Rights in Mexico: Indigenous Rights and the Zapatista Movement," Human Rights & Human Welfare: Vol. 9: Iss. 1, Article 71.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/hrhw/vol9/iss1/71