{"id":170991,"date":"2024-05-02T19:18:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T18:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=170991"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:12:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T11:12:34","slug":"action-plan-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders-approved-at-escazu-cop-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/action-plan-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders-approved-at-escazu-cop-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Action plan on environmental human rights defenders approved at Escaz\u00fa COP 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Last week, Latin American and Caribbean countries approved an action plan for the protection of environmental human rights defenders. This approval was a key result of the third Conference of the Parties (COP 3) of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement that took place from 22 through 24 of April in Santiago, Chile. The Escaz\u00fa Agreement is an important step forward, yet it falls short in adequately addressing gender issues. FARN, EcoMaxei and IUCN NL therefore organised an official side event on gender action plans for women environmental defenders.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Photo: Victor Zambrano, environmental defender and President of the Comit\u00e9 de Gesti\u00f3n de la Reserva Nacional Tambopata in Peru. \u00a9 Giancarlo Shibayama \/ SPDA<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Action plan for environmental defenders<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>During the COP 3, which was attended by 700 people in Santiago and hundreds virtually, the commitment to recognise, protect and promote the rights of environmental defenders was affirmed multiple times. Delegates stressed the urgency and political relevance of an action plan protecting environmental defenders, considering their critical situation in the region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Marcelo Cousillas, Director of the Legal Area of the Ministry of Environment of Uruguay and President of the COP 3, stated that in the past decade <a href=\"https:\/\/acuerdodeescazu.cepal.org\/cop3\/en\/news\/states-parties-escazu-agreement-approved-action-plan-human-rights-defenders-environmental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">three out of four murders<\/a> on environmental took place in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the same period, 2,000 people were killed worldwide for standing up for environmental human rights. On the second day of the event, the action plan, prepared by an open-ended working group with the participation from Indigenous peoples and local communities, among others, was approved. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean aims to implements a set of priority and strategic measures to advance towards the full and effective implementation of the treaty\u2019s article 9<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_170991_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">1. Each Party shall guarantee a safe and enabling environment for persons, groups and organizations that promote and defend human rights in environmental matters, so that they are able to act free&nbsp;&#x2026; <span class=\"footnote_tooltip_continue\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_1');\">Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_170991_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script> on human rights defenders in environmental matters. The plan spans six years, from April 2024 to April 2030, and has several interconnected priority areas: knowledge generation, recognition, capacity building, cooperation for national implementation and evaluation<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_170991_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">UN. 2024. States Parties of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement Approved Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters. <a href=\"https:\/\/acuerdodeescazu.cepal.org\/cop3\/en\/news\/states-parties-escazu-agreement-approved-action-plan-human-rights-defenders-environmental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_170991_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Event: challenges of environmental defenders<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Our Peruvian partner <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental<\/a> (SPDA), organised an online event about Escaz\u00fa and the challenges for environmental defenders in the context of the COP. The event draw attention to the current situation and challenges faced by environmental defenders in Colombia, Brazil and Peru, countries that did not yet ratify the treaty, as well as the urgent need for them to be protected under the protection mechanisms provided for in the action plan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/events\/escaz-ylosretosparalaspersonasd7188619466778255360\/comments\/\">Watch the recording<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_b8fb53b0e6cc454dc250a2b2bb10cace\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">COP3 of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The Escaz\u00fa Agreement is a regional treaty on access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. It bridges the environment and the human rights perspective. It is an agreement made by and for the region and its people, involving governments and civil society an integral part of an inclusive and participatory negotiation process. The treaty is the world\u2019s first binding agreement with provisions on environmental and human rights activists, making it a pioneering instrument.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The agreement has been signed by 25 governments, of which 15 countries have currently ratified the text, making it applicable at a national level. Peru, Colombia and Brazil have not yet done so. During the COP3, the importance of ratifying and implementing the agreement across the region was highlighted. The treaty went into force in 2021. Since two years have passed, the conference&#8217;s Executive Board was renewed at COP 3, with Uruguay now functioning as Chair. A session on national implementation of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement showcased progress and decisions by seven countries, emphasizing their commitment to the treaty and the need for internal synergies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Other topics discussed were a regional economic development model that enables growth without affecting the environment, and for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in environmental participation processes and mechanisms. Measures to integrate and strengthen the gender perspective in the agreement were approved by the Parties<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_170991_1('footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_170991_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">UN. 2024. COP 3 of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement Reinforces the Commitment to Recognize, Protect and Promote All the Rights of Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters. <a href=\"https:\/\/acuerdodeescazu.cepal.org\/cop3\/en\/news\/cop-3-escazu-agreement-reinforces-commitment-recognize-protect-and-promote-all-rights-human\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_170991_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Side event: gender action plans for women defenders<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Despite the Escaz\u00fa Agreement being an important step forward, but its gender provisions need to become more solid. As they lack an intersectional perspective, these provisions do not allow women in all their diversity to be included in the processes. This is of great importance since, as environmental conflicts increase, women\u2019s role in defending nature, land and territories, as well as promoting a healthy environment is becoming increasingly important.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>During the COP 3, <a href=\"https:\/\/farn.org.ar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FARN<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecomaxei.org\/home2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eco Maxei<\/a> and IUCN NL therefore organises a side event on generating safe and enabling environments for women environmental defenders in Latin America. During this webinar, experiences and good practices of gender action plans were discussed by panelists with a variety of initiatives and backgrounds, including Olivier Rukundo, Head of the People and Biodiversity Unit of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); Amelia Arreguin, Coordinator of the CBD Women&#8217;s Caucus; and Amalia A\u00f1ez, Leader of the Indigenous Women&#8217;s Area of Federaci\u00f3n Nativa del R\u00edo Madre de Dios y Afluentes (FENAMAD).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key messages for solid gender provisions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The Escaz\u00fa Agreement is of great relevance for the region because it is a binding treaty recognising the rights of environmental defenders and the implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration. However, it is important to incorporate and strengthen a gender perspective in the treaty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The key messages of the side event were shared with the Escaz\u00fa Secretariat:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The advances in gender in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) throughout the years. Especially, the CBD and UNFCCC gender action plans are essential entry points towards better gender integration in public policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good civil society monitoring practices of national reports at the CBD have strengthened the rights of women, girls, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the implementation of international commitments. Women&#8217;s groups have played a key role in the CBD and UNFCCC in mainstreaming gender justice and human rights into biodiversity and climate policy. They are also vital in informally monitoring the implementation of the agreements reached. Women defenders&#8217; work and their constant struggles, especially indigenous women and women from local communities, constitute relevant experience and knowledge for a gender approach in different national policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CBD COP 16, which will take place in October 2024, is an excellent opportunity to deepen the connection between gender issues and nature defenders in light of the specific goals contained in the global biodiversity framework.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The objective proposed by the Escaz\u00fa Agreement in its text is to articulate with other international environmental processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In addition, national reports presented to the CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC should include concrete gender actions. It is essential to ensure that countries adequately understand the Escaz\u00fa Agreement when reporting to the conventions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The panelists also identified multiple challenges, including the challenge in most countries to strengthen gender capacity building for different actors, and to institutionalise these processes in public policies. In this, special consideration must be given to Indigenous women defenders, whose defense activities are heavily criminalised in many countries. Another challenge is for specific financial flows for conservation and restoration activities to be led by women to strengthen their activities, capacities, access to decision-making and technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is an adequate gender lens crucial?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>It is necessary to learn from organised and unorganised women, who are the ones who best know the planetary balances that make the existence of our species possible. We must all work for it. If we want to avoid environmental deterioration and put a stop to the climate crisis, we have to take gender mainstreaming in environmental policies, roadmaps and action plans seriously, measurement and monitoring of the gender perspective, reports of abuse, the sensitisation of people in charge of making decisions, and the socialisation of the findings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>We must move towards establishing a process for the participatory development of a gender action plan for Escaz\u00fa, not only with political and technical mandates but also with concrete and possible actions, compliance dates and establishing a reporting mechanism based on evidence and results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Watch the Spanish version of the recording below.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\"><p class=\"cookiebanner_video_embed\" id=\"ajr6fc2vtg9xupi3\"> In order to view this movie you have to accept &#8216;Social media and advertising&#8217; cookies. 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related_content small-12\">\n    <div class=\"post__titlebar grid-x\">\n                    <h2 class=\"post__title\">More news about human rights and nature<\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"post__body\">\n                    <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x show-for-medium\">\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/interweaving-waters-forests-and-communities-strategies-and-lessons-for-water-justice\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Report: Interweaving waters, forests, and communities &#8211; Strategies and lessons for water justice\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                              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Read our annual report\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/critical-minerals-and-the-western-chimpanzee-how-bauxite-mining-threatens-one-of-west-africas-last-strongholds\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n      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post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/statement-invest-in-local-leadership-for-tropical-forest-management-and-local-economies\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Statement: Invest in local leadership for tropical forest management and local economies\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"show-for-small-only\">\n                <div class=\"orbit\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"More news about human rights and nature\" data-orbit>\n                    <div class=\"orbit-wrapper\">\n                        <ul class=\"orbit-container\">\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/interweaving-waters-forests-and-communities-strategies-and-lessons-for-water-justice\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-12-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Report: Interweaving waters, forests, and communities &#8211; Strategies and lessons for water justice\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/what-did-iucn-nl-do-for-nature-in-2025-read-our-annual-report\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-trapcam-being-installed-in-Uganda-\u00a9-Andrew-Kartende-IUCN-NL-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            What did IUCN NL do for nature in 2025? Read our annual report\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/critical-minerals-and-the-western-chimpanzee-how-bauxite-mining-threatens-one-of-west-africas-last-strongholds\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02230037-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Critical minerals and the western chimpanzee: how bauxite mining threatens one of West Africa\u2019s last strongholds\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/statement-invest-in-local-leadership-for-tropical-forest-management-and-local-economies\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tom-Laffay_Peru_Madre-de-Dios_river-side-village-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Statement: Invest in local leadership for tropical forest management and local economies\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <nav class=\"orbit-bullets\">\n                                                                            <button class=\"is-active\" data-slide=\"0\">\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\" data-slide-active-label><\/span>\n                        <\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"1\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"2\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"3\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                <\/nav>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><h2><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_170991_1();\">Index<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_170991_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_170991_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/h2><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_170991_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">Index<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_170991_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">1. Each Party shall guarantee a safe and enabling environment for persons, groups and organizations that promote and defend human rights in environmental matters, so that they are able to act free from threat, restriction and insecurity. 2. Each Party shall take adequate and effective measures to recognize, protect and promote all the rights of human rights defenders in environmental matters, including their right to life, personal integrity, freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, and free movement, as well as their ability to exercise their access rights, taking into account its international obligations in the field of human rights, its constitutional principles and the basic concepts of its legal system. 3. Each Party shall also take appropriate, effective and timely measures to prevent, investigate and punish attacks, threats or intimidations that human rights defenders in environmental matters may suffer while exercising the rights set out in the present Agreement. <a href=\"https:\/\/treaties.un.org\/doc\/Treaties\/2018\/03\/20180312%2003-04%20PM\/CTC-XXVII-18.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_170991_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">UN. 2024. States Parties of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement Approved Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters. <a href=\"https:\/\/acuerdodeescazu.cepal.org\/cop3\/en\/news\/states-parties-escazu-agreement-approved-action-plan-human-rights-defenders-environmental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_170991_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_170991_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_170991_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">UN. 2024. COP 3 of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement Reinforces the Commitment to Recognize, Protect and Promote All the Rights of Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters. <a href=\"https:\/\/acuerdodeescazu.cepal.org\/cop3\/en\/news\/cop-3-escazu-agreement-reinforces-commitment-recognize-protect-and-promote-all-rights-human\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_170991_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_170991_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_170991_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_170991_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_170991_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_170991_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_170991_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_170991_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_170991_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_170991_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_170991_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_170991_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_170991_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_170991_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week, Latin American and Caribbean countries approved an action plan for the protection of environmental human rights defenders. This approval was a key result of the third Conference of the Parties (COP 3) of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement that took place from 22 through 24 of April in Santiago, Chile. The Escaz\u00fa Agreement is an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":170986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[66,60],"tags":[323,243,163,183,312],"class_list":["post-170991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-event","category-news","tag-amazon","tag-bescherm-de-natuurbeschermer-en","tag-environmental-defenders","tag-human-rights-and-nature","tag-pidda-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170991"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170991\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":171002,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170991\/revisions\/171002"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}