Colombia ratifies the Escazú Agreement and strengthens environmental protection.

The recent approval of the Escazú Agreement by the Constitutional Court of Colombia marks a significant milestone in the protection of the rights of environmental defenders in the country. Nearly five years after its signing, the international treaty will finally take effect in a context where Colombia sadly stands out as the country with the highest number of assassinated human rights and environmental defenders globally. This decision, made on August 28, 2024, represents a crucial step towards ensuring a safer environment for those fighting for environmental justice. The Escazú Agreement, being the first treaty in the world to include specific provisions for the protection of environmental defenders, not only promotes access to information and public participation in environmental decision-making but also establishes a framework for justice in ecological matters. The Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, celebrated the news, emphasizing that this ratification secures the rights of citizens to participate in decisions that affect their environment and guarantees the protection of those who defend those rights. Vanessa Torres, the deputy director of the Association for the Environment and Society in Colombia, highlighted that the Agreement opens the door to a thorough review of public policies related to the protection of environmental defenders. This context becomes even more critical when recognizing that Colombia is not only the most dangerous country for environmental defense but also leads the list of socio-environmental conflicts in Latin America. Therefore, the incorporation of this treaty is seen as an opportunity to establish more effective protection mechanisms. The path to ratifying the Escazú Agreement was not easy. Since its signing in December 2019 by then-president Iván Duque, the process has been marked by challenges in Congress, where many voices opposed it, arguing that existing laws were sufficient. However, social pressure and the context of social unrest in the country eventually led to the treaty's approval in 2022 during Gustavo Petro's government. Lawyer Lina Muñoz, a specialist in Constitutional Law, emphasized that Colombia's successful ratification could have repercussions in other countries in the region that have yet to ratify the agreement. Misinformation and myths surrounding the treaty have been common obstacles in several nations, but Colombia's decision could serve as a positive example and a catalyst for change. With the ratification, Colombia becomes the 17th country to join the Escazú Agreement. This treaty seeks not only to safeguard environmental defenders but also to foster a culture of transparency and active participation in the management of natural resources. Lawyer Luisa Gómez Betancur from the Center for International Environmental Law stressed that this decision sends an important message about the need to end violence against those who defend the environment and to facilitate their work in a country that has been labeled the most dangerous in the world in this regard. The Escazú Agreement also presents itself as a tool to address the lack of definition regarding what it means to be an environmental defender in Colombia, a gap that has hindered the proper protection of these individuals. The decision to ratify the Agreement could help establish a clear regulatory framework that recognizes and respects the work of those who defend the environment. As the country prepares to formalize its adherence to the Agreement by delivering the ratification instrument to the United Nations Treaties Office, it is evident that this is a crucial moment not only for environmental defenders in Colombia but also for the environmental movement in the region. The hope is that this agreement inspires other countries to follow suit and contribute to a safer and fairer future for all those fighting for the defense of the planet. Finally, the ratification of the Escazú Agreement not only represents progress in Colombia's environmental legislation but also fits within a broader framework of human rights and social justice. By promoting transparency, participation, and the protection of environmental defenders, Colombia has taken an important step towards building a more equitable country that respects its natural environment. The international community watches closely, as the success of this treaty could have significant implications for environmental protection and human rights throughout Latin America.