Colombia ratifies the Escazú Agreement: a crucial advance in environmental rights.

The recent approval of the Escazú Agreement by the Constitutional Court of Colombia marks a significant moment in the country's history and a crucial advance in the protection of human rights and environmental defenders. This treaty, which has been awaited for almost five years, aims to guarantee access to environmental information and promote citizen participation in decisions that affect the environment, in a nation that has been considered the most dangerous in the world for those who defend the environment. The Escazú Agreement, a regional international pact adopted in 2018, establishes clear rights regarding environmental information and justice, and includes specific provisions for the protection of environmental defenders. This is particularly relevant in a context where, according to data from Global Witness, more than 70% of the murders of environmental defenders worldwide have occurred in Latin America, with Colombia being one of the most affected countries. Environment Minister Susana Muhamad celebrated the Constitutional Court's decision, emphasizing that this ratification will guarantee citizens' rights to participate and ensure transparency in decisions that affect the environment. She stated that it is essential to protect environmental defenders so they can carry out their work without fear of reprisals, highlighting that a new era for environmental policy in Colombia has begun. Vanessa Torres, deputy director of the Association for Environment and Society, emphasized that the Escazú Agreement provides the opportunity to deeply review public policies related to environmental defense. She highlighted that it is imperative to understand the violence faced by defenders and find effective ways to prevent it, which becomes a crucial challenge in a country characterized by socio-environmental conflicts. The path to ratification has not been easy. Although the Agreement was signed in 2019, its ratification process stalled in Congress, facing opposition claiming that Colombia already had sufficient protection mechanisms. However, under the government of Gustavo Petro, Congress finally approved the ratification, and now it only remains to formalize it before the UN. Lina Muñoz, a lawyer specializing in Constitutional Law, commented that Colombia's ratification could serve as a model for other countries in the region that have not yet adopted the treaty. Misinformation and myths surrounding the Agreement have been obstacles in several nations, but Colombia's example could help dispel those doubts and strengthen environmental defense in the region. Colombia thus joins 16 other countries that have already ratified the Escazú Agreement, including countries like Chile and Mexico. However, there remains a need for nations like Brazil and Peru, which face high rates of violence against environmental defenders, to follow suit and commit to protecting those who fight for environmental justice. The impact of this decision transcends Colombian borders, as it sets a precedent that could change the way environmental rights are addressed throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The protection of environmental defenders is a matter of vital importance not only for the sustainability of the environment but also for democracy and human rights in the region. Luisa Gómez Betancur, a lawyer at the Center for International Environmental Law, described the decision as a milestone for environmental democracy, urging a change in the culture of violence towards defenders in Colombia. This agreement aims not only to protect lives but also to strengthen community efforts in environmental defense, a key step towards a more just and sustainable future. Thus, the ratification of the Escazú Agreement presents itself not only as a victory for the environment and human rights but also as an opportunity to build a more conscious and respectful country of its surroundings. The Constitutional Court has sent a clear message: it is time to put an end to the violence against environmental defenders and ensure that their work can continue within a framework of protection and respect.