Organizations of Córdoba and from different parts of the country, we request through a document, the update of the provincial law of access to public information, according to international standards and the national law passed in 2016.
An update of the National Protocol for the comprehensive care of people entitled to legal termination of pregnancy was published yesterday in the Official Gazette.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The Ministry of Health of the Nation approved by Resolution N ° 3158/2019 the third update of the guide that contains the guidelines and standards of care for cases of abortions allowed by law. The first protocol was prepared in 2007, and was updated in 2010 and 2015, where it incorporated the provisions made by the Supreme Court in the FAL ruling of 2012.
On this occasion, the update was carried out in the light of the new Civil and Commercial Code, which was sanctioned in 2015, particularly with regard to minors and persons with disabilities. In addition, it contains the latest recommendations regarding medical procedures recommended by the World Health Organization.
Main topics
The Protocol aims to “guarantee the dignity and rights of every person capable of gestating and, therefore, potential subject to the right to ILE, when his life or health is in danger, or is taking a pregnancy as a result of a violation, regardless of whether he is a person with or without a disability. ”
It is based on the principle of autonomy of people, so it requires informed consent from those who require access to practice. On consent, the new protocol introduces some new features:
Children and adolescents:
- “All girls, that is, under 13 years of age, may give their consent with the accompaniment of their parents, legal representatives, people who formally or informally exercise care roles,“ close friends ”or affective referents. These must participate jointly with the girl in the decision-making process and must sign confirming the girl’s informed consent. The principle of progressive autonomy should guide the actions of the health team and the accompanying adults. If there is an unjustified refusal of their parents, guardians or in charge of accompanying the decision of the girl, the conflict between both parties must be resolved from the health team taking into account the best interest of the girl and her ability to decide based on development of its progressive autonomy. The integral health assessment should consider the increased risks associated with pregnancies at these ages and the possible consequences of carrying out the practice or not. ”
- Teenagers from 13 to 16 years old can consent autonomously, that is, without the consent of their parents being necessary. Only in cases where a procedure involving an act considered to be invasive (which may endanger your health or your life) should be used, will the consent of your parents, legal representatives, people who formally or informally exercise care roles be necessary, “close” people or affective referents. This assent implies the accompaniment of the decision of the right holder, that is, the adolescent.
- “All persons 16 years of age or older are considered by Argentine law as adults in relation to the care of their own body. Therefore, they can give themselves informed consent and personally make and sign the affidavit required for the termination of a pregnancy resulting from a rape (if applicable) without requiring the consent of their parents or legal representatives. “
In addition, the protocol foresees the application of the principles of progressive autonomy (it is the development in time of the capacity for decision-making. This principle must be taken into account to encourage the participation of girls and boys in decision-making ) and of the best interest of girls, boys and adolescents (it is the maximum satisfaction, integral and simultaneous of their rights and guarantees).
In the cases of children and adolescents victims of rape, the protocol clarifies that justice should only intervene to protect them from the situation and for the punishment of those who committed the abuse, but this situation should not constitute an obstacle for them to access to practice It is not a requirement that justice be consulted or a judicial authorization is requested for the interruption, since it is a responsibility of the health teams and is made at the request of the patient.
- Persons with disabilities: the protocol provides for the informed consent of persons with disabilities, clarifying that they have the same right as persons without disabilities to access the practice. To do this, it indicates that a support system can be requested to facilitate decision making. It also indicates that in cases where there is a current judicial sentence of capacity restriction, the terms of the same should be asked, since it may contain the designation of support systems for health decisions.
The situation in the provinces
The FAL ruling, in 2012, urged the national State and the provincial states to provide the necessary conditions to carry out the legal interruptions of pregnancies in a fast, accessible and safe way. In this regard, it required that they develop hospital protocols “for the specific care of abortions not punishable in order to remove all administrative or factual barriers to access to medical services.”
Currently, there are 6 jurisdictions that dictated their own protocols: Chubut, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Río Negro, Buenos Aires and Córdoba. In the latter province, however, it was suspended by a legal action filed by the Portal de Belén organization to prevent its application. Fortunately, the lawsuit ended this year, resolving the dispute over its constitutionality and its validity.
The provinces that adhered to the National Protocol are 11: Jujuy, La Rioja, La Pampa, Misiones, Salta, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Tierra del Fuego, Entre Ríos, Chaco and San Luis. Your membership is still valid, even after the update.
Unfortunately, there are still 7 provinces that do not have their own regulations or adhere to the Nation’s protocol, and these are Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Corrientes, Mendoza, San Juan, Formosa and Catamarca.
In this context, it is clear that the right of women, girls, adolescents and any person with the ability to gestate to access the legal interruption of pregnancy (ILE) in the cases provided by law is still very difficult and still faces numerous obstacles .
In addition to the effective implementation of this updated protocol, throughout the national territory, it is necessary to continue advancing in the recognition of rights, towards the decriminalization of abortion and the legalization of voluntary termination of pregnancy.
Contact
Mayca Balguer, maycabalaguer@fundeps.org
Yesterday, in the framework of its last annual session, the Chamber of Deputies of the National Congress sanctioned the law of Minimum Budgets of adaptation and mitigation to Global Climate Change.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The project promoted by Fernando «Pino» Solanas has the character of a minimum budget law, dictated within the framework of the powers that attend the National Congress under Art. 41 of the National Constitution. This implies that it must be applied throughout the territory of the Republic, including by Provincial and Municipal States. The regulation adds to the set of instruments of international law that regulate the phenomenon of climate change, that is, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, all ratified by the Argentine State .
Throughout its six chapters, the law includes, in broad strokes, general provisions, objectives, definitions and principles that guide public instruments and policies aimed at adapting and mitigating the effects of climate change. In turn, in chapter II, he creates the so-called “National Climate Change Cabinet” and an interdisciplinary Advisory Council. In chapter III, it demarcates the guidelines for the formulation of the “National Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation” and the National Climate Change Information System. Then delineates measures and minimum actions of adaptation and mitigation, providing in its final part institutes linked to citizen participation and the right of access to information.
The brand new regulation establishes in large part of its articulated guidelines and objectives aimed at orienting public policies, while at the same time establishing norms of practical scope. Among some of them we can highlight:
- Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities: it implies the historical recognition of the unequal responsibility for the damages of global warming that should guide decisions regarding priorities, technology transfer and funds.
- Transversality of climate change in State policies: it implies that in all public and private actions, the impact of actions, measures, programs and ventures on climate change must be considered.
- Priority: principle according to which any adaptation and mitigation policy must prioritize the needs of the social groups most vulnerable to climate change.
- Citizen participation in the formulation of climate change response plans (adaptation and mitigation measures).
- Development of guidelines for incorporating into the processes of Environmental Impact Assessment considerations related to the impact of climate change.
- Climate change adaptation measures to be adopted by the National Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan, considering the impacts of the phenomenon on human health, in the energy matrix, with sensitivity in the areas most vulnerable to soil desertification processes, of populations located in more vulnerable areas, tending towards food sovereignty; contemplating the impact on glacier and periglacial environments and seeking the management of water heritage; at the same time it will tend to the planning of the territorial planning contemplating an environmentally sustainable land use.
- Mitigation measures to be adopted by the National Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, which promote the reduction and elimination of emissions, the use of renewable energies, energy self-sufficiency, the distributed generation of electrical energy, appropriate mitigation practices in the sector agro-livestock; the revision of urban planning and building standards.
- Promotion by each jurisdiction (provincial and municipal) of the processes of participation among stakeholders, in the definition of adaptation and mitigation actions.
- Access to environmental information on climate change.
- Interjurisdictional coordination through the Federal Environment Council for the implementation of actions and measures for the application of the law.
Undoubtedly, the law constitutes, in some way, fulfilling the obligation that weighs on the States to provide a regulatory legal framework to the phenomenon of climate change. However, as it was argued, the great majority of the articles have an orientation dye, formulated around political guidelines. Contrary to what is established in the vast majority of minimum budget laws in force in our country, the newly sanctioned legislation does not have a substantial regulation regarding the rights of communities linked to effective ways to demand the prevention, mitigation, repair of damages caused due to the effects of climate change, as well as regulations related to access to «climate» justice, procedural rights in particular, updating of environmental management instruments, all circumstances that could have been contemplated in order to respond to those human rights that today are affected by the effects of climate change. A laudable advance, but certainly not enough.
Author
Juan Bautista Lopez. juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org.ar
Last Monday, November 11, we presented on the subject of Empresas B in the Business, Sustainability and Human Rights Standards event organized by the Business School and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the Catholic University of Córdoba.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
Invited by the School of Business and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the UCC, on November 11 we participated as exhibitors in the Conference “Business, Sustainability and Human Rights Standards”, which brought together academics, officials and representatives of the Civil society of Córdoba and Argentina that address the Human Rights and Business Agenda in their activities.
The event was held within the framework of the Fifth Session of the UN on the binding treaty on human rights and companies, held in Geneva in October. The topics addressed included the standards on business and human rights, the progress that has been made in the draft of the draft treaty on the subject, reparations in the framework of human rights violations, among others
In the second panel, the exponents advocate the themes of the principle of access to sustainable consumption, Companies B and sustainable development, and, finally, the way in which sustainability can increase the profitability of companies.
Fudeps was in charge of the exhibition on Companies B and sustainable development. Our exhibition addressed this new business phenomenon, the benefits of being part of this type of companies and the irregularities that some companies present. Specifically, the Porta case was mentioned, and who or who are responsible for ensuring that B-certified companies fulfill their responsibilities of generating positive social and environmental impacts.
More information
- Companies B: the new paradigm of the global business community?
- Fifth session of the UN on the binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights.
Contact
Sofía Brocanelli, sofiabrocanelli@fundeps.org
On Saturday, November 9, the 11th March of the Dissenting Pride was held in the city of Córdoba, which was lived as a party but also as a space for struggle, for vindication and for denunciation.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
From emotional content to what advertising doesn’t show
The 11th March of the Dissenting Pride, the most massive to date, sought to show that, under the glitter, colors and music, there is a history of struggles and denunciations that are far from being what some speeches show us as a (maybe desirable) reality.
The violence of genders that affect the LGBTTTIQ + community is almost impossible to imagine for those who live and conceive of reality from the cisheteronorma. Camila Sosa Villada, renowned playwright, actress, writer and trans activist, tells how her childhood was one of the saddest stages of her life:
“It was very hard, they chased me with stones. (…) I was walking down the street and people spit on me. They wouldn’t let me in the places, I couldn’t go to work at my classmates’ homes because their parents wouldn’t let me in. I could not go to the alumni party because the parents had decided that if I was dressed as a woman I could not enter the party. That is the story of trans people right now in Argentina. Not being able to go out during the day, not being able to go to the river, going to sit in a square, not being able to go to the supermarket … ”
These violence have its highest point in hate crimes by sexual orientation, identity and / or gender expression that, by 2018, reached 147, and 68 by the first half of 2019, in Argentina. Most of these crimes affect younger people (between 30 and 39 years old), which coincides with the average life expectancy of trans people who have a minimum of 35.5 and a maximum of 41.25 years , while for cis people in Latin America it is 75 years.
The day and the street as a territory of dispute: the claims
Again, as for 11 years, pride took to the streets. Like the carnivals that enable “out” the repressed, denied, the invisible by monstrous and dissident. They do it in broad daylight, showing everything.
Here, evidencing that the private is political and public, the motto of the March is raised: “We are driven by urgency to dissent, we win the streets until pride expires,” and the following claims were raised:
- Labor, health, educational and social security inclusion law for women, men, non-binaries, transvestites and transgender.
Labor rights for sex workers. - New adoption law.
- Effective implementation of Comprehensive Sex Education, so that there are free and happy childhoods.
- New law on HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs and denouncing the lack of medications for the HIV-positive community.
- End the institutional violence towards the tortillero collective, claiming the acquittal of Higui and Marian Gomez.
- Finally, it was demanded by legal, safe and free abortion for all persons capable of gestating and the separation of the Church and the State.
Pride and fight
This year’s march was the most summoning since its inception, 11 years ago. And it was lived as a great party, with the axis set to express ourselves freely in the streets and in the light of day, as we are. But it is very difficult to be happy in a context not only of lack of recognition of rights, but of systematic violence and harassment. Without going any further, the recent attack by Monsignor Aguer towards the identities, orientations and expressions of sexual diversity, which he describes as perverse, unnatural and impure, realizes how much we need to continue fighting.
Pride is not just glitter. It goes hand in hand with the courage of those who, through their own existence, resist and fight.
“In a world of worms, you have to have a lot of courage to be butterflies,” said Lohana Berkins.
… and it is that courage that was seen in this march.
Authors
Cecilia Bustos Moreschi, Mayca Balaguer y Mila Francovich
Contact
Cecilia Bustos Moreschi, cecilia.bustos.moreschi@fundeps.org
After observing the presence of machines fumigating in fields near their homes, residents of the Tajamar Reserve District filed a complaint with the Judicial Unit of Alta Gracia.
2Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
On the occasion of repeated fumigation episodes at a short distance from their homes, residents of the Tajamar Reserve District of the city of Alta Gracia, contacted Fundeps through our website “Agrochemical Emergency”. Concerned about the situation, after accessing information about the routes of action, they decided to file a criminal complaint with the Judicial Unit of the same city.
Thus, on October 28 they denounced that in repeated opportunities, at night hours and at a very short distance from homes, they were able to observe the presence of machines performing fumigation work. They also said that these fields are located a few hundred meters from their homes and that they have corn plantations. According to the complainants, there would be 60 families that would be affected by the spraying.
Based on the aforementioned complaint, a summary action was initiated, which was originally labeled as “Crime against Public Security.” The facts were communicated to the Prosecutor of Instruction of multiple competence of the city of Alta Gracia, in order to initiate the corresponding criminal investigation.
It should be remembered that this type of behavior – illegal spraying – is subject to sanction from Art. 55 and 56 of the hazardous waste law 24.051, which represses those using hazardous waste – please agrochemicals – poison, adulterate with imprisonment or contaminate in a manner dangerous to health, soil, water, atmosphere or the environment in general.
Author
Augusto Lopez
Contact
Juan Bautista Lopez, juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org
This document provides a summary overview of what Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are, how they work in Argentina, what are the main projects with this type of contract and what is the balance that can be done on PPPs.
On October 17 and 28 we participated in two different meetings organized by the Faculty of Communication Sciences of the National University of Córdoba (FCC), in order to present our research on gender, journalism and advertising.
Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
During the month of October, we participated in two meetings with professionals, teachers and students of the FCC, where we discussed communication and advertising from a gender perspective.
The first one was held on October 17, within the framework of the Annual Cycle of Encounters and Debates, conducted by the Chair of Television Programming Policies of the Faculty of Communication Sciences. There we present the results of our research “Media organizations and gender”. The Cycle was based on an initiative created by the teaching staff integrated by Ulises Oliva and Sofía Moroz, with the interest of bringing the problems that cross the various spaces linked to communication from a critical perspective into the classroom.
The day was held in a classroom full of participatory students and teachers and aware of the need to promote up-to-date training and attentive to the social, political and cultural transformations and demands of the moment.
Those who participated in the space, did not skimp on gestures of amazement at the figures of gender inequalities in the journalism industry. The surprise revealed not only the importance of research on communication and gender, but also the need for its dissemination among those who are (and will be) part of this industry.
We understand that this meeting means a great step towards incorporating the gender perspective in the curricular contents. Something that probably is not yet reflected in the formal programs of the subjects, but that, little by little, begins to be seen as part of the real curriculums.
The second space of which we participated was the Institute of Institutional Communication that opened the doors to the debate on advertising messages in the meeting on “Communication, advertising and gender perspective“, held on October 28.
In this instance, we present some of the lines of research addressed in the “Advertising Sector and Gender” report, emphasizing our contribution to the analysis of the advertising industry: the gender composition of advertising agencies, both labor structures, and their policies of genre.
We were sharing the space with Manuel Bomheker, who presented some methodological tools so that those who are dedicated to communication can incorporate the gender perspective in their productions. Also present was Elisa Robledo, who contributed to the critical analysis of advertising pieces, showing the evolution of advertising messages and suggesting new routes for more inclusive and diverse advertising, from a gender perspective.
This time, the discussion took place between communication and advertising professionals, who day by day rehearse strategies to produce more democratic contents that enable the construction of meanings from the diversity of identities.
Through these activities, the University acquires a leading role in the transformation of communication since it enables the deconstruction of discourses and senses from the critical approach paid by feminisms. Therefore, we celebrate the generation of these spaces for discussion and capacity building for those who are dedicated and dedicated to the production of media and advertising content.
Contact
Cecilia Bustos Moreschi, cecilia.bustos.moreschi@fundeps.org
The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group was held in Geneva. In the negotiations on the revised draft of the binding Treaty on transnational corporations and their responsibility towards Human Rights, the official delegations of the UN member states, civil society and social movements and organizations participated.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
From October 14 to 18, the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the revised draft of the binding treaty of transnational corporations regarding human rights (HR) was held in Geneva.
Of the sessions, not only the representatives of the Member States, but also civil society organizations (CSOs) and social movements participated. During the sessions, the Brazilian delegation, along with other delegations, raised the need for negotiations to be direct between States and without civil society; This was rejected not only by CSOs, but also by delegations from other States who highlighted the important role that CSOs have played during these 4 years of negotiations with their contributions to the binding treaty. The need for organizations to participate in the process to ensure that human rights in communities affected by transnational corporations are respected and remedied was also highlighted.
As a point in favor, the progress of the process in comparison with the first draft of the treaty (draft zero) was highlighted. However, many questions remain to be addressed since the new legal instrument would not be guaranteeing justice for communities affected by transnational corporations and, in addition, there are terms that continue to be too ambiguous and will lend themselves to the free interpretation of transnational corporations in disrepair. of the protection of human rights.
At the end of the week of negotiations in the framework of the fifth session, the sixth session was approved with a new version of the revised treaty for the year 2020. It is relevant to emphasize the need for the treaty to contemplate the victims and those affected by the Human rights violations caused by transnational corporations.
More information
- Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights: Comments from Fundeps and the new Draft revised
- Comments and proposals for the Draft Zero of legally binding international instruments on transnational corporations with respect to Human Rights – Fundeps
- Draft report on the fifth session of the open-ended intergovermental working group on transnational corporations and others business enterprises with respect to human rights – United Nations Human Rights Council (2019)
Contact
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
The article proposes an approach to financing the Silk Road and the Silk Road Initiative,
trying to analyze the extent to which the recently created Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank (AIIB) plays as a "financial engine" of the Initiative, It represents (or not) an
opportunity for the objective of greater environmental and social sustainability in the
infrastructure projects carried out within the framework of the “New Green Silk Road”.
From Fundeps we adhere to the initiative of a group of civil society organizations and specialists in the pursuit of public policies that prevent and punish corruption with a focus on human rights.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
A diverse group of specialists and civil society organizations developed a “Social Anti-Corruption Agreement”, a document in which they identify a set of public policy proposals that Argentina should implement to ensure state capacities in prevention, detection and sanction of the corruption.
The document is available at www.acuerdoanticorrupcion.org y se encuentra abierto a adhesiones desde el miércoles 16 de octubre del 2019.
The Agreement sets the stage for a public debate focused on the impact of corruption on inequality, human rights and the quality of democracy. The reforms that are promoted are aimed at the different powers of the State.
The group that drives this initiative is made up of Roberto Carlés, Manuel Garrido, Ricardo Gil Lavedra, Natalia Volosin, ACIJ, Acción Colectiva, CIPCE, Directorio Legislativo, Poder Ciudadano, Cambio Democrático, CLADH, Democracia en Red, Nuestra Mendoza y Salta Transparente.
The document contains a total of 74 proposals, which are part of 16 thematic axes, presented in the following 6 sections: “A new national integrity system”; “Investigation and sanction of public and private corruption”; “Prevention of corruption in typically critical situations”; “Transparency policies”; “Institutional strengthening”; and “Citizen Participation.”
Among the thematic axes that are proposed are the reform in the field of public ethics, a new system of purchases and contracting of the State, procedural improvements for the prosecution of corruption, transparency policies in the financing of the policy, improvements in the mechanisms and control bodies, transparency in markets and financial flows, as well as the opening of instances of citizen participation in the fight against corruption.
Argentine institutions suffer from structural deficiencies, the product of which corruption affects the full validity of human rights, mainly in the most vulnerable sectors. This phenomenon, in which both the State and the private sector occupy a central role, impacts the quality and availability of public goods and services and undermines confidence in the institutions of democracy.
In order for these public policy proposals to be effective, the authorities must promote their implementation through the full participation of citizens, in a transparent manner and through a constant process of accountability. For this, it is essential to establish indicators that allow to know the evolution of these policies and their effective impact in the fight against corruption.
Accordingly, the Anti-Corruption Social Agreement is a call to all the actors of Argentine social life, and particularly to the parties, political referents and authorities of all the powers of the State, to adhere to this document and use it as a trigger for new debates, in order to generate the structural and long-term consensus that we need to reach for the construction of a country with less corruption and, in particular, more just and equal.
From Fundeps we gave our support, add your membership.
Contact:
Nina Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org
The First Integrated Five-Year Plan signed between Argentina and China for Infrastructure Cooperation (2017-2021) contains 16 projects to be developed in the country. Within these are the construction of two nuclear power plants. The choice of building nuclear plants, instead of investing in wind and solar energy, raises certain concerns about the risks of nuclear energy.
“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.
The strengthening of the Sino-Argentine relationship was observed with the signing of the First Five-Year Plan (2017-2021) between the two actors, which includes 16 projects to be carried out in the country with Chinese financing. One of the projects that generates economic, but above all environmental, questions is the construction of two nuclear power plants, Atucha III and IV.
Around nuclear power plants there are opinions for and against. There are defenders of this type of energy due to low emissions, however, there is an increasing number of opponents of nuclear energy due to its impacts on the environment, the risk it means and how expensive it is in relation to wind and solar energy .
Our country has three nuclear reactors, the first, Atucha I, was built in 1974; the second plant is that of Embalse that began operating in 1984 and the third plant was Atucha II, which began operating in the national system as of 2014. Nuclear-type energy represents 6% of the country’s energy. Energy Matrix.
The agreement for the construction of two nuclear power plants dates from the government of Cristina Kirchner, who agreed to build with China in 2015. When Macri took over as president, the effectiveness of this type of energy was questioned, however it was ratified the agreement with China on the construction of nuclear power plants (Atucha III and IV). Despite this, due to the economic crisis that the country is going through, the government had to choose to build a single plant so that the size of the loan is not so large and the country can face it.
Thus, the Atucha III nuclear power plant will be built, which will add 745 megawatts to the network and will be located in the town of Lima, Province of Buenos Aires. The contract for the construction of this plant includes a loan from China for $ 10 billion, which covers 85% of construction costs; the rest will be invested by Argentina.
Initially, when the agreement was signed, the governments of both countries expressed the importance of signing the contracts before September 2017, and, consequently, begin the construction of one of the plants that same year and the second in 2019. However, none of these events happened.
This Five-Year Plan aims to increase complementarity, cooperation and benefits in the infrastructure sector, contributing to the development of bilateral economic relations and the nations of both countries.
Chinese financing has grown markedly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Argentina has not been the exception to this growth. Relations between the two countries have evolved in such a way that China is important as a bilateral lender, where the largest amount of loans has been allocated to infrastructure and energy projects.
From Fundeps a request for information was made at the beginning of the year to the National government for the First Five-Year Plan between China and Argentina, emphasizing the construction of nuclear power plants. The main questions that were consulted were about the modalities and characteristics of the financing that the Argentine government agreed to finance the works contemplated in the First Five-Year Plan; the dependencies, officials and other actors involved.
Regarding the construction of nuclear power plants, a topic of relevance in the request for information, the state of construction of nuclear power plants was requested, what have been the social and environmental guidelines of the institutions involved in the project, which were the preselected and selected places to carry out the construction, the studies that were carried out to select the place of construction of the plants and, if there has been an environmental impact assessment (EIA) as if there were instances of citizen participation.
Although the request was answered late (July), the questions asked to the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance were not effectively answered. Just to mention some questions of the response to the request, the EIA documents were not provided, much less the studies carried out to select Lima, (province of Buenos Aires) as the place for the construction of the nuclear power plant. In general, the answers to the questions asked were brief, and most, if not all, did not provide the data requested by Fundeps.
In terms of access to information at the national level, progress has been made, as citizens can request information through the web. However, much work remains to be done in the field of open government, since the answers to the requests for information elude the root of the question being asked. Not much information is available and, neither, when requesting the responsible entities, the information that is required is obtained.
More Information
- China-Argentina Five-Year Plan Analysis
- Commitment-Human Rights-China
- Projects with Chinese financing in Argentina
- Expansion of nuclear power plants
Author
Gonzalo Roza
Contact