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 Appeal Trial (Perú)
May 9th, 2024 in Iquitos Perú, in a historic trial, ELC gave its expert opinion supporting the Kukama Women's Federation and the Rights of the Marañón River (appeal trial decision pending).
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COP3 Escazú Agreement (International)
ELC's primary objective at COP3 was to urgently advocate for our Indigenous Defender partners and raise awareness of the pressing socio-environmental conflicts they face.
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Ríos Protegidos Annual Meeting (Chile)
ELC participated in the first on-site meeting of the Río Protegidos initiative. Nearly 10 national and international organizations shared lessons learned in river protection.
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 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.
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
Support the Latin America Legal Program
Header Photo: Unsplash / Olga Stalska; News & Events: Unsplash / Hans Luiggi; Resources Photo: Unsplash / Maria Fernanda Gonzalez; Footer Photo: Unsplash / Christopher Henckell