Panel discussion: ‘Defending our land and nature is our right’ – CIDSE

Panel discussion: ‘Defending our land and nature is our right’

The high level of violence against environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) is becoming a very worrisome phenomenon in Latin America. These kind of defenders, who operate, for example, in the context of the extraction of natural resources and megaprojects, are often left without any protection in the face of violations and abuses by states or private actors.

 Panel discussion at the European Parliament, Tuesday, March 20 – 14:00-15:30

During this event, the panellists will present the conclusions of a new report highlighting four case studies of violence against EHRDs in the Andean region, specifically in the context of conflicts around large-scale mining and energy projects. The report analyzes recurring patterns of criminalization and violence throughout the region.

The panel discussion will provide a platform to advance the discussion on effective protection policies for environmental human rights defenders, especially in relation to the EU business & human rights agenda, the implementation of the Trade Agreement between the EU and Peru, Colombia & Ecuador, the EU-Latin America human rights dialogues and the EU-CELAC agenda.

Panellists:
• Oscar Mollohuanca (EHRD, Espinar, Peru)
• Isabel Zuleta (EHRD, Movimiento Rios Vivos, Antioquia, Colombia)
• Francisco Hurtado (Lawyer at CEDHU, Ecuador)
• Marco Gandarillas (Researcher at CEDIB, Bolivia)
• Wies Willems (Policy Officer at Broederlijk Delen, Belgium)

Context:
Broederlijk Delen and its partner organizations APRODEH (Peru), CAJAR (Colombia), CEDIB (Bolivia) and CEDHU (Ecuador) are currently working together on the project Defender la tierra y la naturaleza es nuestro derecho!, supported by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.
This panel discussion is organized by Broederlijk Delen, with the support from MEPs Estefania Torres and Helmut Scholz (GUE/NGL), CIDSE, Oidhaco, EU-LAT Network (former CIFCA and Grupo Sur) and Plataforma Europa-Peru.
Interpretation into Spanish and English will be provided.

To register, please send an e-mail to wies.willems@broederlijkdelen.be with the following data: official names, ID number & expiration date, birth date, postal address, tel. number, e-mail, nationality. In case you already have an EP badge, please also confirm your assistance.

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