Environmental Rights

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Mendoza Beatriz Silva y otros c. Estado Nacional y otros s/ daños y perjuicios (daños derivados de la contaminación ambiental del Río Matanza-Riachuelo). Expediente M. 1569. XL

En julio de 2004 un grupo de vecinos que residen en la Cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo interpusieron demanda ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación contra el Estado Nacional, la Provincia de Buenos Aires, la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires y 44 empresas para obtener indemnización por daños y perjuicios sufridos como consecuencia de la contaminación de la Cuenca, cese de la contaminación y recomposición del medio ambiente.

Mendoza Beatriz Silva et al vs. State of Argentina et al on damages (damages resulting from environmental pollution of Matanza/Riachuelo river). File M. 1569. XL

In July 2004, a group of residents of the Matanza/Riachuelo basin filed a suit before the Supreme Court of Argentina against the national government, the Province of Buenos Aires, the City of Buenos Aires and 44 companies seeking compensation for damages resulting from pollution of the basin, stoppage of contaminating activities, and remedy for collective environmental damage.

South Fork Band y otros c. Departamento del Interior de Estados Unidos, 588 F.3d 718, (2009).

En este caso, la South Fork Band y otras comunidades de Western Shoshone habían apelado una decisión de un tribunal inferior que les negaba una medida cautelar[1] contra la construcción de la mina de oro.

South Fork Band and others v. United States DOI, 588 F.3d 718, (2009)

In this case, the South Fork Band and other Western Shoshone tribes were appealing a lower court decision denying an injunction[1] against the construction of the gold mine. In their appeal to the Court, the South Fork Band argued that an injunction should be granted against Barrick Cortez because the U.S.

López Ostra vs. Spain (Application no. 16798/90)

On May 14, 1990, Gregoria López Ostra filed a report before the European Commission on Human Rights against the Spanish State. She claimed that the State’s failure to take any measures against the smell, noise and contaminating smokes originated in a solid and liquid waste treatment plant located a few meters away from her home violated her rights to physical integrity (Article 3 of European Convention on Human Rights) and to respect for the home and private life (Article 8 of the Convention).

Asociación de Comunidades Aborígenes Lhaka Honhat. Caso Nº 12.094. [ENG]

In 1998, the Aboriginal Communities Association Lhaka Honat filed an action with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) against the State of Argentina. The communities living in Salta province denounced violations of their right to ancestral land, to cultural integrity and to a safe environment, following the State’s decision to build an international bridge and carry out an urban development plan in their territory, which would significantly alter their way of life.

Oposa et al. v. Fulgencio S. Factoran, Jr. et al (G.R. No. 101083). [ESP]

Varios menores representados por sus padres presentaron una demanda contra el Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales solicitando cancelar los contratos existentes en el país de licencias de explotación forestal y frenar la emisión de nuevas licencias. Se adujo que la deforestación y el daño ambiental resultantes violaban sus derechos constitucionales a una ecología equilibrada y saludable, y a la salud (artículos 16 y 15, parte II de la Constitución).

Social and Economic Rights Action Center & the Center for Economic and Social Rights v. Nigeria. Cited as: Communication No. 155/96. [ESP]

La presentación denunció que el gobierno militar de Nigeria era responsable de, entre otras cosas, violaciones del derecho a la salud, el derecho a disponer de la riqueza y los recursos naturales, el derecho a un medio ambiente limpio y los derechos de familia, debido a que condonaba y facilitaba las operaciones de empresas petroleras en tierras del pueblo ogoni.

Menores Comunidad Paynemil s/acción de amparo [ENG]

Neuquén Province's Official Defender of Minors filed an amparo action to protect the health of children and youth in the indigenous Mapuche community of Paynemil, because they had been exposed to water contaminated with lead and mercury. The applicant requested that the State be ordered to provide enough drinking water to ensure the survival of the affected community, to conduct the diagnosis and treatment of affected minors, and to adopt adequate measures to prevent future soil and water contamination.

Mapuche Paynemil and Kaxipayiñ Communities, Case Nº 12.010. [ENG]

Neuquén Province's Official Defender of Minors filed a complaint with the IACHD alleging violation of children's right to the protection required by their status as minors, as well as of rights to health, a healthy environment, land ownership and effective remedy. The Official Defender had filed an amparo action to protect the health of children and youth in the Paynemil Mapuche community exposed to consumption of water contaminated with lead and mercury.