{"id":80503,"date":"2022-05-12T15:04:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T14:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=80503"},"modified":"2023-10-03T09:15:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T08:15:49","slug":"what-makes-the-escazu-agreement-historic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/blog\/what-makes-the-escazu-agreement-historic\/","title":{"rendered":"What makes the Escaz\u00fa Agreement historic for conservationists?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Every week, people around the globe are killed because they stand up for nature. An even larger group is being silenced through violence, arrests, intimidation or lawsuits. Environmental human rights defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean are suffering severely from these violations. In 2021, the region took a historic step by bringing the Escaz\u00fa Agreement into force. This article explains how this binding treaty makes a difference to the rights of conservationists.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: Colombian Amazon Rainforest (c) Mariel Cabero \/ IUCN NL<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Escaz\u00fa Agreement is a regional political treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve access to information, participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. The full name of the treaty is \u201cThe Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean.\u201d From 20 through 22 April 2022, one year after its entry into force, the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) of the Escaz\u00fa Agreement took place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Unique agreement<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Escaz\u00fa is the first environmental agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean, but it is also one in its kind worldwide. As the world’s first binding agreement with provisions on environmental and human rights activists, it is a pioneering instrument in the context of environmental protection and human rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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These provisions are of great importance in a region where it has been unsafe for conservationists for years. Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala and Honduras are among the most dangerous countries in the world for environmental activists, according to the latest Global Witness report<\/a>. Women and indigenous communities are often the hardest hit; the agreement was established on the basis of the principles of equality and non-discrimination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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