On 22-23 November, PGA participated in the First Annual Forum on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, in Quito, Ecuador. The Forum, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in its capacity as Secretariat of the Escazú Agreement, was held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Government of Ecuador, and with the support of the World Bank's Human Rights, Inclusion and Empowerment (HRIE) Umbrella Trust Fund.
The Forum aimed to discuss the situation of human rights defenders in environmental matters in the region, with participants representing the Parties to the Escazú Agreement, recognized specialists in the field, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples and local communities, and people or groups in vulnerable situations who defend the environment.
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Dip. Luisa Magdalena González
Ecuador
Dip. Luisa Magdalena González (Ecuador) represented PGA in the Panel on “Experiences and good practices in the promotion, prevention and protection of environmental human rights defenders,” outlining the access rights to participation, information, and justice in environmental matters secured by the Escazú Agreement in the context of Ecuador. In her remarks, Dip. González emphasized the importance of open and transparent public participation and consultation in any State’s decision on environmental matters.
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Dip. Ramón Barrios
Honduras
Dip. Ramón Barrios (Honduras), Chair of the Legislation and Constitutional Affairs Committee in the National Congress, underscored the need to address climate change and provided an overview of Honduras’ progress towards ratification of the Escazú Agreement. Dip. Barrios noted Honduras’ renewed commitment to reinforce the environmental and human rights strategy, and announced his commitment to work towards Honduras’ adherence to the Escazú Agreement.
During the Forum, ECLAC announced the launch of the Implementation Guide for the Escazú Agreement, with participants recognizing the Agreement as a truly groundbreaking treaty in the region that recognizes, protects and promotes the rights of all environmental human rights defenders.
PGA invites parliamentarians to learn more about the Escazú Agreement and actions you can take to promote it by reviewing our Factsheet for Parliamentarians: The Escazú Agreement, an Environmental and Human Rights Treaty.