indigenous land tenure vis‐à‐vis the acts of third parties or of State agents, and “this
merely abstract or legal recognition of indigenous lands, territories or resources, is
practically meaningless if the property is not physically delimited and established.” 210
170. In the instant case, there is no dispute regarding the duty to delimit, demarcate
and title the territory, because the State has already met these obligations and the
territory in question is currently titled in favor of the said Garifuna community.
However, it is necessary to define the relevance and scope of the obligation to
effectively ensure the use and enjoyment of the indigenous property which is directly
recognized by Article 21 of the American Convention.
B.2.1 Obligation to ensure the use and enjoyment of collective
property under international law
171. In this section, the Court will refer to the principal general standards concerning
the use and enjoyment of indigenous and tribal property, notwithstanding the specific
considerations applicable to this particular case.
172. Regarding the use and enjoyment of indigenous and tribal territory, the Court
recalls its case law according to which, inter alia: “(1) traditional possession of their
lands by indigenous people has equivalent effects to those of a State-granted full
property title; (2) traditional possession entitles indigenous people to demand official
recognition and registration of property title; (3) the members of indigenous peoples
who have unwillingly left their traditional lands, or lost possession thereof, retain
property rights thereto, even though they lack legal title, unless the lands have been
lawfully transferred to third parties in good faith, and (4) the members of indigenous
peoples who have unwillingly lost possession of their lands, when those lands have
been lawfully transferred to innocent third parties, are entitled to restitution thereof or
to obtain other lands of equal extension and quality.” 211 Additionally, in the Case of the
Mayagna (Sumo) Awas Tingni Community v. Nicaragua, the Court found that States
must guarantee effective ownership by the indigenous peoples and refrain from acts
which could result in agents of the State itself or third parties acting with its
acquiescence or its tolerance, affecting the existence, value, use or enjoyment of the
territory. 212 In the Case of the Saramaka People v. Suriname, it was established that
States must guarantee the right of indigenous peoples to effectively own and control
their territory without outside interference of any kind. 213 In the Case of the Kichwa
Indigenous People of Sarayaku v. Ecuador, the Court established that States must
ensure the right of the indigenous peoples to control and use their territory and natural
resources. 214 The Inter-American Commission has also ruled in this regard. 215
210
Cf. Case of the Yakye Axa Indigenous Community, supra, para. 143, and Case of the Kuna
Indigenous People of Madungandí and the Emberá Indigenous People of Bayano and their members, supra,
para. 135.
211
Cf. Case of the Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous Community, supra, para. 128, and Case of the Xákmok
Kásek Indigenous Community, supra, para. 109..
212
Cf. Case of the Mayagna (Sumo) Awas Tingni Community, supra, para. 164, and Case of the Kuna
Indigenous People of Madungandí and the Emberá Indigenous People of Bayano and their members, supra,
para. 232.
213
Case of the Saramaka People v. Suriname. Preliminary objections, merits, reparations and costs.
Judgment of November 28, 2007. Series C No. 172, para. 115.
214
Case of the Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku v. Ecuador. Merits and reparations. Judgment of
June 27, 2012. Series C No. 245, para. 146.
215
In its Report on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Rights over their Ancestral Lands and Natural
Resources, the Inter-American Commission systematized some criteria to be taken into account whenever
there are property disputes with third parties. The Commission indicated that “indigenous and tribal peoples
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