Us Congress Senate Bill SR142

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/30/23
• Refer: 3/30/23

Caption

A resolution expressing concern about environmental crimes and attacks on the human rights of environmental and land defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Impact

If adopted, this resolution would reinforce U.S. commitments to international climate agreements, notably the Paris Climate Agreement, and emphasize the necessity for regional cooperation in protecting environmental and land defenders. By promoting technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, it seeks to bolster the ability of local leaders and civil society to combat environmental crimes and ensure adherence to human rights, particularly for vulnerable groups like Indigenous peoples and women who face gender-based violence.

Summary

Senate Resolution 142 expresses grave concern regarding the escalating environmental crimes and violent attacks on environmental and land defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights the alarming trends of land grabbing, illegal resource extraction, and infrastructure development that threaten biodiversity and the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in the region, which hosts a significant portion of the world's species and forests. The resolution notes that Latin America is one of the most dangerous regions for environmental defenders, specifically citing the high number of attacks and murders that have increased sharply since 2018, particularly in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil.

Contention

The bill calls for urgent action and collaboration among governments, civil society, and international organizations to protect Indigenous peoples’ rights and land titles while also tackling corruption and abuse that enable environmental crimes. Notably, it emphasizes the need for free prior informed consent in projects affecting Indigenous lands. Critics of regional policies may view the resolution as an overreach of international influence into local matters, highlighting the delicate balance between external advocacy for human rights protections and sovereign governance.

Additional_points

The resolution also generates crucial dialogue around the implications of such violent acts on biodiversity conservation efforts. Supporters argue that protecting environmental defenders is not only a moral responsibility but also essential for safeguarding ecological health and sustainable, equitable resource management across Latin America. The varying levels of commitment to such protections by individual countries may lead to contrasting enforcement capabilities, making this a complex issue for policymakers.