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One year ago, the Inter-American Court for Human Rights made a landmark decision in favor of the Kichwa of Sarayaku in Ecuador after they fought for years to have their rights recognized by the Ecuadorian government for illegally violating their territory.
Failing to Provide Free, Prior, and Informed Consultation
Ecuador's government was found guilty by the court for "failing to conduct a process of free and informed prior consultation in accordance with international standards, violating the rights to communal indigenous property and cultural identity of the Sarayaku people," and for "endangering the life and integrity of their members with the presence of high powered explosives in the territory."
The government was given one year to give a formal apology, remove the estimated 3,000 pounds of explosives, and pay the Sarayaku people reparations for violating their rights. Thus far, the Ecuadorian Government has only partially complied in making reparations.
Setting a Precedent for the Future
At the time of the ruling, Fernanda Doz Costa, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Americas stated, “This sentence will have a far-reaching effect on countries across the region – it makes it crystal clear that states bear a responsibility to carry out special consultation processes before engaging in development projects affecting Indigenous Peoples and their rights.”
To ensure compliance with both the ruling and the deadline, 60 to 80 members from the Sarayaku community have traveled to Ecuador's capital Quito.
On Wednesday, July 24th, the delegation held a press conference at the National Assembly, and celebratory events were held throughout the day to mark the ruling's anniversary. The Pachamama Alliance helped support the delegation's efforts.
