Recent statements issued by monitoring bodies of the United Nations human rights system have addressed the situation of Afro-descendant and Indigenous individuals and communities in the countries of the Río de la Plata region.
Although these statements originate from different institutional mechanisms, they provide insight into two key aspects. On the one hand, they reveal how governments perceive—or fail to recognize—fundamental components of their social realities. On the other, they reflect how these realities are assessed by the international human rights protection system, which has access to information and comparative analyses from the vast majority of countries worldwide.
Quantitative Data
In Argentina, the 2022 national census recorded 1,306,730 people living in private households who identified as Indigenous or as descendants of Indigenous Peoples, of whom 674,455 were women and 632,275 were men. This represents 2.9% of the total population living in private households.
Nearly half of the Indigenous population registered in 2022 was concentrated in the provinces of Jujuy (10.1%), Salta (10.0%), Chubut (7.9%), Formosa (7.8%), Neuquén (7.7%), and Río Negro (6.4%). By contrast, the provinces with the lowest proportion of Indigenous population were Entre Ríos and Corrientes, each with only 1.3%.
According to the final census results, 302,936 people living in private households identified as Afro-descendants or as having Black or African ancestry, including 162,262 women and 140,674 men. This represents 0.7% of the population living in private households.
55.9% of the Afro-descendant population was concentrated in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the Province of Buenos Aires. Conversely, the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands recorded the lowest proportion of Afro-descendant population.
In Uruguay, the 2023 national census found that 10.4% of the population self-identifies as Afro-descendant, while 6.3% reports Indigenous ancestry.
The Afro-descendant population is present in all departments of the country, with the following departments exceeding the national average: Artigas (21.9%), Rivera (21%), Cerro Largo (13%), Salto (14%), Tacuarembó (15.1%), and Treinta y Tres (12.2%).
Similarly, the Indigenous population is present throughout the country. The departments that exceed the national average include Tacuarembó (9.6%), Rocha (8.3%), Salto (7.6%), Artigas (7.4%), Rivera (7.1%), Treinta y Tres (6.9%), Maldonado (6.7%), and Montevideo (6.6%).
Beyond the precise statistical data, it is clear that both countries are multicultural societies with diverse historical and cultural communities. Argentina is home to at least fifty different Indigenous Peoples, while Uruguay has at least two.
This diversity should be reflected in the legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and public policies of both countries. However, even a cursory reading of the observations issued by UN monitoring bodies shows that the political decisions and public policies of these states remain far from adequately reflecting this social and cultural composition.
These UN observations and recommendations—together with earlier ones and those likely to follow in the near future—should be understood as valuable contributions toward advancing the realization of the rights of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, which in turn would benefit society as a whole.
Observations on Argentina
On 23 February 2026, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) published its concluding observations on Argentina. The Committee consists of 23 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted by the United Nations in 1979.
Argentina ratified this Convention in July 1985.
By ratifying the Convention, States undertake, at a minimum, to:
- Eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in every sphere of life;
- Ensure the full development and advancement of women so that they can exercise and enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with men; and
- Allow the CEDAW Committee to review their efforts to implement the treaty by submitting periodic reports.
Countries periodically submit such reports, which—together with additional documentation and the outcomes of interactive dialogues with government representatives—enable the Committee to conclude each review cycle with observations and recommendations.
In this case, on 10 February 2026, the CEDAW Committee received the Argentine government delegation, headed by Joaquín Mogaburu, Undersecretary for Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice.
Possibly because the official state report had been submitted by a previous administration, Mr. Mogaburu began his statement by outlining the central policy orientation of the current government:
“Equality between women and men is built on respect for the equal dignity of every human being, grounded in the uniqueness of each individual, the rule of law, and compliance with freely assumed legal commitments.”
Within this framework, the delegation repeatedly emphasized what it described as the problems associated with “unequal treatment” of women. However, it made no reference to the particular circumstances or specific rights of Afro-descendant or Indigenous women.
The delegation also repeatedly justified the elimination of what it described as “costly bureaucracy,” including the closure of the Ministry of Women, which it considered unnecessary.
In its concluding observations, however, the Committee issued numerous criticisms regarding the current situation and the policies—or lack thereof—of the present Argentine administration.
For example, in paragraph 17, the Committee recommends that the State re-establish or create a high-level institutional mechanism dedicated to women’s rights, with an adequate mandate and resources. This recommendation clearly responds to the closure of the Ministry of Women.
In paragraph 29, the Committee calls on the State to publicly recognize and protect the legitimate and essential role of women human rights defenders, including feminist activists, women with disabilities, journalists, environmental defenders, Indigenous rights defenders, and community caregivers. It also urges authorities to refrain from public discourse that stigmatizes or delegitimizes their work.
In the same paragraph, the Committee calls for comprehensive legislation to protect environmental defenders, including specific safeguards consistent with the Escazú Agreement.
Another important issue addressed in the observations concerns voluntary termination of pregnancy.
In paragraph 37, the Committee urges the State to guarantee effective access to safe and legal abortion throughout the country, ensuring respectful treatment and adequate care. This includes guaranteeing the availability of misoprostol and mifepristone, the necessary medical equipment, sufficient trained healthcare personnel in all provinces, and proper regulation of conscientious objection so that it does not become a barrier to access.
It is noteworthy that, in its opening statement, the Argentine delegation had declared:
“Argentina protects women throughout their entire life cycle: from conception until death. Argentina must emphasize that there is no internationally recognized right to abortion. On the contrary, what is protected is the right to life for every human being and the recognition of legal personality without discrimination.”
For the Committee, this position contradicts the text and spirit of the Convention, and it therefore urges the government to revise its approach.
With regard to Indigenous women, despite the absence of references in the government’s presentation, the Committee raised several concerns and recommendations.
Among them, it highlights:
- The persistent and intersectional forms of discrimination faced by Indigenous women;
- The evictions from Indigenous lands, which have a disproportionate impact on women;
- The barriers Indigenous women face in accessing basic services, including health care, education, water, sanitation, and social protection; and
- The limited participation of Indigenous women in decision-making processes, particularly regarding land use and rural development.
The Committee also calls for concrete measures to implement General Recommendation No. 39 (2022) on the rights of Indigenous women and girls, urging the State to ensure access to land, housing, and livelihoods; culturally appropriate consultation processes; improved access to services; and effective participation of Indigenous women in decision-making at all levels.
Although the document makes little reference to Afro-descendant populations, these observations nonetheless provide an important tool for women’s organizations and movements advocating for their rights.
Observations on Uruguay
On 25 February 2026, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) issued its concluding observations on the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
The Committee consists of 18 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which protects rights such as adequate food, housing, education, health, social security, water and sanitation, and work.
As in the Argentine case discussed above, the State report had been prepared and submitted in 2022 by a previous administration, while the delegation appearing before the Committee in February 2026 represented a different government. As a result, the delegation attempted to adjust or clarify certain points raised in the earlier report.
One particularly striking issue in the 2022 report is the complete absence of any reference to Indigenous populations, despite census data showing that 6.3% of Uruguay’s population identifies as having Indigenous ancestry, primarily Charrúa or Guaraní.
By contrast, the report did include information regarding the Afro-descendant population, including the National Plan for Racial Equity and Afro-descendants (2019–2022).
Another noteworthy aspect is the limited number of submissions from civil society organizations, most of which came from outside Uruguay.
Additionally, the report submitted by the National Human Rights Institution addressed only a small portion of the Covenant—articles 10, 11, and 12, relating to children, mental health, and food—without providing information on the remainder of the rights recognized in the treaty.
The Committee’s concluding observations cover a wide range of issues and include very specific recommendations aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the effective implementation of the rights recognized in the Covenant.
Among other matters, the Committee recommends that Uruguay:
- Ensure the direct applicability of Covenant rights throughout the judicial system;
- Establish human rights due diligence obligations for companies operating domestically and abroad;
- Ensure that green hydrogen investments do not jeopardize water security;
- Improve tax collection capacity in order to increase resources available for economic, social, and cultural rights; and
- Adopt a comprehensive national anti-corruption strategy.
The Committee also reiterates several recommendations made in previous reviews, signaling concern over the lack of progress. These include the need to adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law and to increase budget allocations for education.
Issues affecting Afro-descendant and Indigenous populations are addressed particularly in paragraphs 48–51, under the heading “Cultural Rights.”
The Committee expresses concern that the promotion and dissemination of the historical and cultural legacy of Afro-descendants remains limited, particularly within the education system, and reiterates earlier recommendations urging the State to create conditions that allow Afro-descendant and Indigenous communities to preserve and develop their identity, culture, traditions, and customs.
Regarding Indigenous Peoples, the Committee remains concerned about their persistent invisibility within the Uruguayan State.
It therefore reiterates previous recommendations calling for policies that recognize and promote Indigenous identity, history, language, and culture. It also endorses the findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2023), which highlighted ongoing stereotypes and discrimination, including the characterization of Indigenous Peoples as a “non-visible minority.”
The Committee recommends that Uruguay:
- Promote scientific research and data production on Indigenous presence, history, identity, and culture;
- Develop policies aimed at recognition and revitalization of Indigenous communities;
- Expand the teaching of Indigenous languages, such as Guaraní, and incorporate an intercultural approach in education;
- Reconsider ratifying ILO Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples; and
- Implement previous recommendations issued by UN human rights bodies.
Taken together, these observations are intended to serve as valuable guidance for public authorities and civil society organizations in the development of public policies, legal frameworks, and institutional mechanisms capable of advancing the implementation of both individual and collective rights.