OHCHR promoting human rights in Latin America 2023-2025

OHCHR has played a crucial role in ensuring that enjoyment of human rights and the rights of human rights defenders are at the core of the implementation of Article 9 of the Escazú agreement. This has been ensured throughout the development of the Regional Action Plan for the implementation of Article 9. The initial draft documents (presented by the Working Group in charge of its drafting, composed of Chile, Ecuador and Saint Kitts and Nevis) lacked a human rights perspective. Although OHCHRs recommendations to the Working Group, aimed at incorporating a human rights approach, had been initially overlooked, during the II Annual Forum of Human Rights Defenders of Escazú, which counted with the participation of over 300 human rights defenders from Latin America and the Caribbean, OHCHR, with the support of Sweden, enhanced the capacity of human rights defenders to effectively advocate before the official presentation of the document at the event through the delivery of training and technical assistance. The civil society's vocal demands led the Working Group to initiate new public consultations on the draft Action Plan with civil society and human rights defenders. After formally requesting OHCHR's technical advice, the Working Group facilitated virtual workshops allowing OHCHR to advise human rights defenders, which allowed a collaborative improvement of the document. The Regional Action Plan will serve as an implementation guide for States, and with OHCHR's contribution, it now ensures access to justice, inclusion of minorities, indigenous peoples and people of African descent a gender perspective and the right to participation. The final document will be presented to the Escazu Agreement Member States in April 2024. OHCHR, with the support of Sweden, has spearheaded a transformative initiative in the Americas by forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM), the Network of National Human Rights Institutions of the American Continent (RINDHCA), journalist networks, and civil society organizations to transform the narrative surrounding migration. Through these alliances, the OHCHR successfully launched and executed the #MisDerechosMigranConmigo campaign and tool. This initiative has made significant strides in challenging and reshaping detrimental perceptions of migration across the region, marking a pivotal shift towards a narrative that respects the human rights of migrants. Furthermore, OHCHR's collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona has culminated in a specialized course for 30 journalists from the region, enhancing the integration of a human rights perspective in media and journalistic narratives on migration. This strategic educational intervention has not only elevated the discourse on migration but also empowered journalists across the Americas to advocate for change through informed and sympathetic storytelling. OHCHR has made a significant impact on the promotion and protection of the right to a healthy environment in the region through targeted technical assistance on legal and policy initiatives. This assistance has markedly enhanced the understanding of this crucial human right among dutybearers, leading to significant advocacy and support for constitutional and legal reforms, as well as significant involvement in key litigation cases. A landmark achievement was realized when the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court, drawing on a technical note provided by OHCHR, declared Decree 754 (on environmental consultation) unconstitutional in sentence 51/23 (November 2023), citing procedural flaws and thereby safeguarding the right to public participation in environmental matters. Further exemplifying its commitment to a rightsbased approach to environmental governance, OHCHR played a fundamental role at the XXIII Forum of the Meeting of Ministers of Environment in Panama (October 2023). By engaging with delegations from 10 Latin American and Caribbean states, the Office was instrumental in embedding essential rightsbased language into the political declaration and four key decisions of the Forum of Ministers. These contributions have laid a solidfoundation for future regional commitments and initiatives addressing critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and environmental education.

1. Promote the expansion of civic space and the protection of human rights defenders and journalists in the LAC region; 2. Promote and protect the human rights of migrants in vulnerable situations; 3. Promote the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.