For the first time, children from Latin America appeared before the IACHR to share their experiences about the threats, persecution, criminalisation and violence they face for protecting the environment and raising awareness of climate change. They demanded to be recognised for what they already are: human rights defenders. 

During a historic hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, child human rights defenders from Latin America, led by the child-led NGOs Guardianes por la Vida, Escazú Ahora and the Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca, urged the Commission to recognise and strengthen the rights of children and adolescents who defend human rights, particularly the right to a healthy, clean and dignified environment.

They demanded that the IACHR:

  1. Formally recognises and promotes recognition by States of children and adolescents as human rights defenders, as well as their status as a vulnerable group requiring special protection.
  1. Prepares a regional report on the situation of children and adolescents who are human rights defenders.
  1. Urges States to establish adequate mechanisms for prevention and protection against situations of violence directed against children and adolescents who are human rights defenders.
  1. Immediately recognises digital violence as a form of serious violence.
  1. Ensures with States that cases involving children and adolescents who defend the human right to a healthy environment are dealt with expeditiously, urgently and as a priority.
  1. Requests that States, especially the Colombian State, provide special protection to indigenous children and adolescents who defend the human right to a healthy environment.

Here are the links to the report and infographics in Spanish to learn more!

Child Rights Connect welcomes this landmark initiative which sets a very important precedent for child human rights defenders in Latin-American and worldwide!