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Environmental Justice

We work to guarantee the right of all communities and future generations to a healthy environment.


Land-Use
Management

We promote land management policies that are coherent with economic development, social and environmental principles, and the existence of policies and measures to avoid harm to the environmental by a mode of economic development based principally on extractive industries.


Environmental
Participation

By framing the environmental debate with a human rights perspective, in multidisciplinary and accessible terms, we promote environmental participation with a well informed citizenry and legitimate institutions.


Climate
Change

We research and advocate for a national and global legal framework for the protection of environmental refugees and those displaced by environmental causes

At the same time, we advocate for a just transition from carbon-intensive economy especially in countries of the Global South where we are working.

Litigation

The Constitutional Court has the last word to save the Ciénaga Grande of Santa Marta

The environmental crisis of this ecosystem led fishermen to pursue a legal battle that reached the High Court. In this intervention, we support their demand that environmental authorities take urgent measures to stop the disaster and thus, protect their rights to healthy environment, dignified life and work.

Dejusticia intervention regarding the invalidity requests of sentence T-445 of 2016 on the popular consultation to decide on mining Pijao

On November 11th, Dejusticia conducted a citizen intervention before the Constitutional Court regarding the invalidation request of sentences T-445 of 2016 presented by the National Mining Agency, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, ASOGRAVAS, the Tolima Miners and Hydrocarbons Association, and the Colombian Mining Association.

Intervention on the granting of mining licenses in the Mining Code

Dejusticia intervened litigating the unconstitutionality of several articles in the Mining Code (Law 685 of 2001). The intervention focused on showing how the process to grant mining licenses violated several constitutional principles and rights. 

Direct Advocacy & Other Activities

Biodiverse business: the private sector at COP16

One of the indicators of success was the participation of the private sector in COP16. Under the guise of the green economy, the national government and the business community sought to position a message of progress in terms of economic diversification and energy transition based on the opportunities offered by the environmental market.  Specifically, the…

Reflections on civil society participation and advocacy at COP 16

The historic participation of civil society was the highlight of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), which took place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1. This article proposes some critical, contextual reflections that can be used by civil society to address future meetings like this…

Who were “the people” at COP16? Reflections on where “The People’s COP” leaves us

One of the outstanding achievements of the 16th edition of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) held in Cali, Colombia was citizen participation. Naming it “The People’s COP”, the national government wanted to send a message to the world that it would be an event different from other international negotiation spaces, with the broad and…

Columns &
Blogs

Colombia: going back to the original balance of justice

There is a crucial aspect of Colombia’s transitional justice model that is worrying: the current inability of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) to offer legal security to those who participated in the conflict, including in human rights violations, and have not been identified as among the most responsible. And making sure they also contribute to the satisfaction of the rights of the victims. The JEP must avoid keep moving towards maximalist approaches and go back to the balance in the Peace Agreement.

The immigration policy of the United States and its implications in Latin America

The United States has implemented different measures to prevent the entry of migrants and refugees into its territory, including extending its immigration policy to Latin American countries.

The binationality of the Wayuu people: the pending debt of Venezuela and Colombia

The Wayuu arrive in Colombia to seek refuge but crashes with a wall that prevents them from accessing social services and fundamental rights: the Colombian State has not recognized the binationality of the Wayuu people in practice.

Project Highlights

Photo: Piyushgiri Revagar

The popular consultation that took place in Cajamarca, Tolima, where 97% of those who participated voted against the development of mining activities in their territory, generated a great debate at the national level. In the days prior to and following the consultation, there were several assertions made about its scope and the effects that the result could have. In this video (in Spanish), Dejusticia clarifies three of the most problematic points made by the government and the mining sector. 

To learn more about this discussion, click here.

Cajamarca

With the support of the Scientists’ Panel, Dejusticia assisted fishing communities from the Ciénaga Grande (the Great Marsh) in presenting an action of tutela demanding the protection of their rights to a clean environment, a dignified life, right to food, and right to work (among others).

The violation of these rights is a direct consequence of the environmental degradation that has occurred in this important ecosystem. The findings that the Scientists’ Panel will present is aimed at identifying the causes of this environmental degradation and providing insights about the possible remedies that can be implemented to guarantee the protection

Find out more about this case  here.

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