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Strengthening Protections Through the UN Human Rights System

We see it time and again. Industries spew toxic pollutants into the air. Fracking fouls water with poisonous chemicals. Large dams flood people out of their villages. Mines ruin farmland. People lose their health, their jobs, their access to water, even their homes. All of these events violate basic human rights protected by international law.

Enforcing human rights law provides another effective strategy for targeting problems caused by environmental degradation. The United Nations Human Rights System offers several mechanisms that AIDA uses to protect human rights—including the right to a healthy environment—in Latin America.

What AIDA is doing: 

  • Participating in the Universal Periodic Review by documenting human rights violations and government compliance with UN Human Rights Council recommendations. In so doing, we increase international pressure on States to guarantee human rights within their borders.
  • Informing Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts, and Working Groups appointed by the Human Rights Council to monitor and investigate human rights violations. We also support these experts when they make site visits to communities. They can and do apply pressure on governments to resolve human rights violations.

The Latest

Human Rights, Indigenous Rights | 2 June 2008

Costa Rican Court Reinforces Protection of Leatherback National Marine Park: Declares Ruling Allowing Construction in Park Unconstitutional

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, June 2, 2008 – On May 23rd, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica repealed a municipal zoning regulation because of its impacts on the most...read more

Human Rights, Toxic Pollution | 9 April 2008

Doe Run Smelter in La Oroya, Peru, Loses Environmental Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION: April 9, 2008 Press Contacts: Perry Gottesfeld, Executive Director OK International 415-362-9898 [email protected]...read more

Human Rights, Toxic Pollution | 1 June 2006

Legal victory! - Peruvian Constitutional Tribunal Orders the Government to Address the Public Health Emergency in La Oroya

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2006 Contact: Dr. Anna Cederstav, Earthjustice/AIDA, (English) (510) 457-4010 [email protected] Dr. Carlos...read more

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