<
https://news.mongabay.com/2023/03/ecuador-court-upholds-rights-of-nature-blocks-intag-valley-copper-mine/>
"Communities in the Intag Valley of Ecuador have won a significant legal
victory after a court ruled to halt copper mining in one of the world’s most
biodiverse forests.
The Imbabura Provincial Court ruled on March 29 that Chilean copper producer
Codelco and Ecuador’s Empresa Nacional Minera (ENAMI EP) had violated
communities’ constitutional right to consultation as well as the rights of
nature, thus canceling their mining licenses.
The decision represents a major victory for communities in the Intag Valley,
who have been resisting mining projects in the region for nearly 30 years in
what locals say is the longest continuous resistance movement against mining in
Latin America.
“It really seemed impossible to me to be able to achieve this. However, I knew
that we were demanding what was fair and that we were telling the truth,” said
Marcia Ramirez, a local community activist who has been part of the resistance
since its inception. “We fought for the truth and for our rights, and today
they are fulfilled.”
“This is another victory for the communities of Intag against mining companies
that have been trying to enter the area for several decades,” Mario Moncayo,
one of the lawyers representing the Intag communities, told Mongabay. “This
will likely put a stop to mining activity in Intag for several years, if not
permanently.”
The ruling could have significant implications for future cases involving
extractive industries in Ecuador. In 2008, Ecuador adopted a new Constitution
that recognizes the rights of nature, making it the first in the world to do
so. This recognition means that natural ecosystems have the right to exist,
thrive, and evolve. Additionally, the Constitution grants individuals and
communities the right to defend these rights on behalf of nature.
Two notable other cases in Ecuador have successfully invoked the rights of
nature in years past, showing that they can be used as a legal tool to protect
the environment and the rights of communities."
Via
Future Crunch:
<
https://futurecrunch.com/good-news-heart-united-states-democracy-uruguay-nature-rights-ecuador/>
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
