INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND THE PANDEMIC FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM

Abstract

The aim is to analyze, within the perspective given by the pandemic, how the indigenous peoples' right to health is being dealt with, especially in the light of the recommendations of the Inter-American Human Rights System. Throughout the history of Brazil, health care systems have been developed to assist indigenous peoples; however, such systems present flaws and mismatches with the reality and needs presented by these communities, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic. The non-observance of the recommendations issued by the Inter-American System of Human Rights demonstrates how the right to indigenous health has been violated since colonial times, bringing serious harm to the lives of the members of these peoples. The stereotypes that mold indigenous peoples as barbarians without the capacity to be subjects with full rights, which were attributed to them in order to justify the domination exercised by colonization, persist to this day, curtailing their basic rights. Thus, an assistance and protection structure developed to prevent any form of damage to the human rights of these groups, which are considered especially vulnerable by the Inter-American Commission, is necessary for the safeguard to have the desired effects and the States must use all means necessary to effect this protection. The cited authors have demonstrated how the pandemic can be an aggravating factor for the threats to the rights of indigenous peoples, which have already been violated since colonial times. For this study, the deductive method was used, through a bibliographical study.