Inter-American standards on business and human rights
The Inter-American system for the protection of human rights has established important standards regarding the duty of businesses to respect human rights and the obligation of states to protect these rights, including those related to environmental protection, from potential corporate abuse.
Information and/or analysis on some of these judicial precedents
Climate justice and human rights: Legal standards and tools from the Inter-American Court’s Advisory Opinion 32/25
A comprehensive publication by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and more than 20 organisations and experts analysing the legal and practical implications of the Inter-American Court’s Advisory Opinion 32/25 on the climate emergency and human rights.
Ecuador: IACHR Court condemns the country for violating the rights of Amazonian Indigenous Peoples in isolation threatened by extractive industries
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that Ecuador breached the rights of the Tagaeri and Taromenane Peoples, as well as other Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation living in the Ecuadorian western Amazon, by failing to adequately protect their territories.
The U'wa Nation, private sector and climate crisis: collective rights in the Inter-American system
Juliana Bravo Valencia from EarthRights International analyses the landmark ruling of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in favour of the the land, cultural and environmental rights of the U'wa Nation.
Peru: Inter-American Court condemns the Peruvian State for violating the right to a healthy environment of La Oroya inhabitants
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that Perú breached the rights of 80 people who suffered heavy metal pollution (March 2024).
Latin America and the Caribbean: New standards on the horizon to protect human rights defenders fighting harmful business practices
From fighting deforestation and illegal mining in the Amazon to raising concerns about the impacts of megaprojects and the climate crisis, Indigenous Peoples, community leaders, environmental defenders, peasants and workers play a pivotal role in protecting their rights, territories, natural resources and the environment across Latin America and the Caribbean. All this, while experiencing a frequently hostile environment. Despite these hazardous circumstances, the Inter-American Human Rights system is demonstrating real leadership in key areas of law and policy to protect human rights defenders.
Justice for Miskito divers: a turning point for business and human rights standards from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
For the first time in its history, the Court explicitly stipulates clear business and human rights standards to be met by states and companies.
