https://earthrights.org/media_release/victory-for-the-uwa-nation-the-int...
In an unprecedented decision, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) upheld the territorial, cultural, and environmental rights of the U’wa Nation against the imposition of extractive and tourism projects on their land by the Colombian government, setting a precedent for the protection of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia and across Latin America.
“Today is a historic day for our people. After so many years of fighting to be heard and to decide on projects that threaten the life of our Mother Earth, the Court has supported us. This recognition is a milestone not only for the U’wa Nation but for all Indigenous Peoples in Colombia and the region, whose rights have historically been violated. We celebrate this decision and call on the Colombian government to comply with the Court’s orders and protect our right to live with dignity on our land. We thank the organizations that have stood with us in defending life and Mother Earth,” said Javier Villamizar, president of Aso U’wa.
The IACtHR determined that the Colombian state is responsible, among other things, for the failure to clarify colonial land titles; the development of extractive projects on ancestral U’wa territory without consultation; the lack of delimitation, demarcation, and titling of existing reserves; and the exclusion of the U’wa Nation from management of Zizuma (El Cocuy National Natural Park).
The Court specifically emphasized the state’s obligation to consult Indigenous Peoples about projects that may affect them. It also noted that the implementation of extractive projects has profoundly impacted the cultural, spiritual, and ancestral life of the U’wa Nation, concluding that these projects violated their right to a dignified life. Furthermore, the IACtHR urged states to uphold the principles of prevention and precaution, particularly by being especially rigorous in supervising and regulating business activities that could harm the environment and nature.
In the context of the global climate crisis, this ruling highlights the importance of ancestral knowledge in protecting fragile ecosystems and emphasizes the right of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination in the face of projects that threaten their existence. Furthermore, it acknowledges their essential role in environmental protection, underscoring the urgency of rethinking development based on respect for human rights, environmental justice, and sustainability. The U’wa Nation continues to be a symbol of resistance and a model for honoring human dignity and the integrity of the planet.
For more details on the case: https://earthrights.org/case/uwa-indigenous-people-vs-colombia/
Media Contact: Daniela Colaiacovo, Director of Global Communications
daniela.colaiacovo@earthrights.org, +1 (703) 975-0608
