The Environment as a Victim: overcoming the human-centric Paradigm of Rights
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The present article evaluates the profound impact that recognizing the environment as a potential victim has for the enforceability of environmental rights and the particularities of the Latin American juridical systems that have been critical in this development affecting how environmental rights and protections are considered, in particular the understanding of the environment as a victim. In the 1990s, the In Dubio Pro Natura principle was developed via judicial decisions. This principle is understood as a separate principle of international law that requires authorities to interpret laws and regulations in the most favourable manner to the interests of nature. In the first decade of the 2000s, Ecuador and Bolivia constitutionalized environmental rights. This process embraced non-western legal approaches and traditions from indigenous peoples. More recently, Colombia’s restorative justice system has acknowledged the environment as a direct victim of their internal armed conflict. The process that has taken place in the Latin-American region represents a case study on challenging the human-centred paradigm of rights. This article discusses the significance and potential of this recognition for the enforceability of environmental rights.
RESUMEN: El presente artículo evalúa el profundo impacto que el reconocimiento del ambiente como una potencial víctima tiene para la exigibilidad de los derechos ambientales y las particularidades de los sistemas jurídicos Latinoamericanos que han sido críticos para este desarrollo que afecta cómo los derechos ambientales y sus protecciones son evaluados, en particular la interpretación del ambiente como víctima. En la década de 1990, el principio In Dubio Pro Natura fue desarrollado por medio de decisiones judiciales. Este principio es entendido como un principio independiente de derecho internacional que exige a las autoridades interpretar las leyes y regulaciones de la forma más favorable a los intereses de la naturaleza. En la primera década del siglo XXI, Ecuador y Bolivia constitucionalizaron los derechos ambientales. Este proceso acogió enfoques y tradiciones no occidentales provenientes de los pueblos indígenas. Más recientemente, el sistema de justicia restaurativa de Colombia ha reconocido al ambiente como víctima directa de su conflicto interno armado. El proceso que ha tenido lugar en Latinoamérica representa un caso de estudio que cuestiona el paradigma humanocentrista de los derechos. Este artículo discute la importancia y potencial de este reconocimiento para la exigibilidad de los derechos ambientales.
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