ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR QUILOMBOLA COMMUNITIES, SUSTAINABILITY, AND DIGITAL INCLUSION: A CASE STUDY IN THE REMANSO QUILOMBOLA COMMUNITY

Abstract

This article investigates how Digital Justice can enhance access to justice and the realization of rights for quilombola communities in Brazil, with a particular emphasis on social and cultural sustainability. The methodology employed includes a literature review centered on quilombola communities, digital inclusion, and access to justice. Subsequently, a case study approach was adopted, incorporating document analysis, participant observation, and focus groups with community members. Document analysis provided insights into the historical and cultural context of quilombola communities in Brazil. Field-based participant observation was conducted by the researchers in the Remanso quilombola community, located in the municipality of Lençóis, in the interior of Bahia, Brazil. Finally, two focus groups were held, each comprising five members of the local quilombola community. The findings identified six key dimensions associated with barriers to justice and the enabling factors of Digital Justice: (i) usability of technology for accessing justice and rights; (ii) community-based facilitators for integrating legal and technological systems; (iii) available resources and infrastructure for technology use; (iv) geographic barriers; (v) communication for rights awareness; and (vi) education and literacy. The study concludes that these six dimensions are critical to advancing digital inclusion and equitable access to justice for quilombola communities.