The first environmental treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean, notably protecting the rights of environmental defenders, was promulgated on Thursday, April 22, and ratified by twelve countries.
This Escazu agreement guarantees the protection of the environment and the health of people, mainly indigenous peoples, promotes public participation, access to information and justice in environmental matters. It is the first to introduce specific provisions to protect the rights of environmental defenders, targets of numerous assassinations in Latin America.
“In 2019, 210 environmental defenders were killed around the world, including two thirds in our region”, said Alicia Barcena, Secretary General of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepalc), the United Nations regional agency that promoted this agreement adopted in 2018 in Escazu, southwest of San José, in Costa Rica.
“Hope” and “Inspiration”
Indigenous communities, farmers and activists have repeatedly denounced the threats they have suffered for opposing the interests of mining, forestry, agribusiness, and wind, hydroelectric and gas companies. The treaty further enables people and communities to be informed and heard in decision-making processes that affect their lives and territories.
In a recorded message, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, declares that the entry into force of this agreement “Gives us hope and inspiration and paves the way for sustainable and resilient regulation” to halt climate change, the collapse of biodiversity and environmental pollution.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said “In the face of environmental damage and injustices, legal instruments such as the Escazu agreement are fundamental to hold states accountable and defend the rights and health of people and the planet”.
After the adoption of the agreement by 24 countries in the region, including Brazil, twelve of them ratified it (Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint -Kitts-et-Nevis, Saint-Vincent-et-les-Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Uruguay) and seal its entry into force on their territory.
