24 Latin American countries sign a regional treaty protecting environmental activists
By Ella-Louise Micallef From The Futures Centre
After a six-year negotiation process, a treaty focused on environmental rights within Latin America and the Caribbean was presented during a conference in Costa Rica. The treaty, known as The Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC P10), was signed by 24 Latin American and Caribbean Nations. The treaty, amongst other things, includes protections for environmental activists.
So what?
According to Global Witness and The Guardian, 197 activists were killed in 2017 for defending communities against business’ engaged in environmental destruction or exploitation. Countries that have adopted LAC P10 are now legally bound to help prevent and punish attacks against environmental defenders, as well as providing them with the right to environmental information and participation in environmental decision-making.
Sources
https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-activism-treaty-latin-america-2543965832.html
For more on this story go to: https://thefuturescentre.org/signals-of-change/217992/24-latin-american-and-caribbean-countries-sign-regional-treaty-protecting
