The facts of the petition relate to human rights violations of eight communities of the Kaliña Peoples and Lokono of the Lower Marowijne River. In particular it focuses and the absence of a regulatory framework that collectively recognizes the legal personality of indigenous peoples and their right to collective ownership of lands, territories, and natural resources.

The Inter-American Court deepens standards related to collective ownership and it relates them to environmental protection and the state obligation to ensure effective participation of indigenous peoples through culturally appropriate procedures that fit their decision-making processes.