Baku: At the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, the Mexican government emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples as a primary focus of state policy. Mariana Posada Lombana, Director General for Relations with Civil Society Organizations at Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted this commitment, APA-Economics reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Posada Lombana revealed that approximately 17 million individuals in Mexico identify as indigenous, representing about 15% of the nation's population. She emphasized the diversity within these communities, stating that indigenous peoples are not a homogeneous group and each community possesses its own distinct language, culture, and traditions. Consequently, a uniform approach cannot be applied to all indigenous communities.
Posada Lombana further explained that the Mexican Constitution acknowledges the rights of indigenous peoples to self-governance, self-determination, and land use. She asserted that addressing these rights at the highest legal level is essential for their protection.