LATIN AMERICA LEGAL PROGRAM
Advancing the progress of ecocentric legislation, conservation, and environmental justice; protecting critical ecosystems in the region
(rivers, forests, mangroves, ocean); and scaling the global impact of Earth law in international forums and instruments.
News & Events
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Marañón River's Rights Successfully Upheld
October 30, 2024 in Iquitos Perú, in a historic trial, the Civil Court of Loreto as upheld a ruling recognizing the rights of the Marañón River and its tributaries in an appellate decision.
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LATAM Legal Program Awareness and Impact Report 2024
Read more about the Latin America Legal Program’s achievements for 2024, along with upcoming initiatives and our impact by the numbers.
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Read & Sign the Biobío River Declaration of Rights
The Biobío River becomes the first ecosystem in Chile to have a Declaration of Rights, recognizing its inherent rights to exist, flow, and regenerate, as well as its deep spiritual and cultural significance.
Key Achievements
Perú (2024). March 18, 2024, in a landmark ruling, the Peruvian Court of Nauta recognized the rights of the Marañón River and appointed Indigenous communities as its guardians. Earth Law Center (ELC) has supported the Kukama Federation of Women for more than 4 years, filing and defending an amicus curiae brief and developing several capacity-building trainings to exercise the communities' environmental rights. ELC also offered expert testimony in the appeal trial, which saw the original ruling upheld on October 30, 2024.
Panamá (2022-2023). With our partner, The Leatherback Project, ELC introduced a national Rights of Nature law in Panama (Law 287), approved by the President on February 24, 2022, along with an amendment to recognize the rights of sea turtles through secondary legislation (Law 371), approved by the President on March 1, 2023. The LATAM team is currently working with the government on the reglamento of Law 287 to ensure its implementation.
Oaxaca, México (2021). With our partners, Litigio Estratégico, ELC provided counsel to introduce a Constitutional amendment to recognize the Rights of Nature in the State of Oaxaca. The reform passed on March 17, 2021.
Current Campaigns
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Ríos Protegidos (Chile)
The Ríos Protegidos initiative seeks to strengthen the protection of Chile’s rivers through a variety of approaches.
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Native Stingless Bees (Peru)
In partnership with scientists from the Amazon Research International and the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute, ELC seeks to recognize native stingless bees as subjects of rights.
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Indigenous Women River Protectors
ELC supports the defense of territories and the environmental rights of communities and Indigenous Peoples who fight against extractive projects.
Downloadable resources for the Latin America Legal Program
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Constanza Prieto Figelist
Latin America Legal Director
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Bastián Núñez
Legal Counsel & Researcher
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Javier Ruiz
Legal Expert in Environmental Policy and Climate Change
Help fund the Latin America Legal Program’s court cases, amicus briefs, and Indigenous partnerships
Header Photo: Unsplash / Olga Stalska; News & Events: Unsplash / Hans Luiggi; Resources Photo: Unsplash / Maria Fernanda Gonzalez; Footer Photo: Unsplash / Christopher Henckell