I/A Court H.R.: Advisory Opinion on the Environment and Human Rights

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court H.R.) has issued an Advisory Opinion (OC-23/17) in the case “The Environment and Human Rights” on state obligations in relation to the environment, in the context of the protection and guarantee of the rights to life and to personal integrity. This Avisory Opinion was requested by Colombia with respect to the environmental risks caused by the construction, maintenance and expansion of canals for maritime navigation in the Caribbean region. The I/A Court H.R. declared that “the degradation of the environment may cause irreparable damages to human beings, a reason why a sound environment is a fundamental right for the existence of humankind”. The award (in Spanish) may be found here and a summary (also in Spanish) is available here.