Tag Archive for: Citizen Participation

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We present the website “Escazú for communities”: a tool to defend the environment

We launched the web platform “Escazú Agreement for communities”, which provides information about the Agreement and the rights it contemplates with data and practical models to make them effective. Additionally, within the site, a document is available to download that brings together the experiences and learnings of different communities in Córdoba that face environmental problems and have been fighting for years.

“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 Escazú Agreement is the first environmental treaty in the region on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also the first treaty in the world to contain provisions related to the protection and promotion of the work carried out by human rights defenders in environmental matters.

At Fundeps, we have been accompanying the process of the Agreement since before its approval in 2018, due to the central role it plays in strengthening environmental democracy and climate justice. Within the framework of this process, when it came into force in Argentina we launched a Resource of the Escazú Agreement and a Guide on Access to Environmental Information. Then, we carried out a training cycle on access to public environmental information and an introduction to Escazú, and in 2023, as part of the project called “Escazú Agreement: What is happening in Córdoba?”, we held workshops in different locations in the province. crossed by socio-environmental conflicts.

This entire journey, added to the daily accompaniment to communities in Córdoba, allowed us to detect the need to create a tool that brings together all the inputs created, information related to the Escazú Agreement and that provides practical instruments to facilitate the exercise of the rights it regulates. For this reason, we launched “Escazú for communities” (agreementdescazu.org), a platform that provides information about what the Agreement is, what rights it contemplates and how they are exercised, what is the history of the Agreement, which countries in the region are part, the answers to frequent doubts that arise among those who defend the environment, among other contents. Our objective is to make available to communities the tools that Escazú offers to promote and monitor their effective implementation, and strengthen the struggles of people and groups that defend the environment, collective health and their territories.

Among the tools on the site, you can find: models for requesting public environmental information, explanations on how citizen participation should be guaranteed and made effective in decisions that impact the environment, types of judicial actions that can be filed to claim; the obligations of States to guarantee the safety of those who defend the environment, among other issues.

At Fundeps we have also been working to strengthen the strategies and approaches to socio-environmental conflicts, putting human rights defenders in environmental matters at the center. For this reason, within the website you can also access “Resisting and re-existing in community. Stories and experiences of socio-environmental struggles in Córdoba. This document is the result of a series of interviews carried out during 2023 and 2024 with seven communities in struggle in the province of Córdoba (OMAS, VUDAS, Todxs por Nuestros Arreros, Vecinos Autoconvocados de Marcos Juárez, Preservando el Parque de la Vida, Madres de Barrio Ituzaingó and Friends of the San Martín Reserve), to whom we deeply appreciate their support and collaboration. The purpose is to share the experiences of the communities, their stories and their useful advice for those who are beginning a process of socio-environmental struggle.

We are committed to this website serving as reference material and strengthening environmental capacities. We also promote the dissemination of struggle strategies and the learning of those who carry them out in the province, so that socio-environmental challenges are navigated solidly knowledge, based on shared experiences and, above all, on the network.

We hope that it will be useful to interested people, and above all, to those who defend human rights in environmental matters.

VISIT THE WEBSITE

Author

Ananda María Lavayen

Contact

Laura Carrizo, lauracarrizo@fundeps.org

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We participate in the 3rd Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement

From April 21 to 24, we participated in the Third Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement (COP3) that took place in Santiago, Chile. Likewise, we were part of the event that was held previously (Pre-COP) and the parallel panels of civil society organizations.

In April, the Third Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement was held: a treaty on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Conference of the Parties is the highest deliberative and decision-making body of this regional Agreement, and is held once every two years, with the purpose of making decisions, reviewing and promoting the application and effectiveness of the Agreement.

Particularly, the main objective of this third COP was the treatment and approval of the Action Plan on human rights defenders in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, the result of extensive prior public participation. This Plan aims to advance the implementation of Article 9 of the Agreement, which establishes the obligation of the Parties to guarantee a safe and conducive environment for the actions of defenders without threats, restrictions and in safe conditions. The Plan is structured into four axes, each with strategic actions:

  1. knowledge generation;
  2. recognition;
  3. strengthening of capacities and cooperation for the national implementation of the Action Plan;
  4. evaluation, monitoring and review.

It is important to highlight that the Escazú Agreement is the first international treaty that contemplates the protection of defenders. This incorporation is very relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean since it is considered the most dangerous region in the world for those who defend the environment. This is why advancing its protection and defense is a priority need for the region and an example for the rest of the world.

In addition, the mainstreaming of the gender issue was approved, through which measures, actions and activities will be incorporated aimed at integrating and reinforcing the gender perspective in relation to Escazú. Parties were also encouraged to continue promoting the full and effective participation of women in all their diversity, especially indigenous women. This is relevant since it forces countries to adopt measures to guarantee equity and equality.

Likewise, within the framework of the meeting, both in parallel and before and after, more than 30 events were held in which defenders, civil society organizations, indigenous communities, elected representatives of the public, and activists from across the region participated. and authorities. These events were very important for creating and strengthening ties, disseminating socio-environmental conflicts and building capacities among participants.

Although we cannot fail to notice the path that still needs to be taken to achieve environmental and climate justice, we recognize the enormous step forward that the approval of the Action Plan for defenders and the incorporation of the gender perspective implies. For these reasons, at Fundeps we continue to participate and firmly support the effective implementation of the Escazú Agreement, its dissemination and capacity building.

 

Authors

Manuela Fernández Grassani

Ananda María Lavayen

Contact

Laura Carrizo, lauracarrizo@fundeps.org

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WE SAY AGAIN: NO TO THE BASE LAW

On Thursday, April 25, the plenary session of the Budget and Finance, General Legislation and Constitutional Affairs Committees of the Chamber of Deputies reached the opinion on the new law of Bases and starting points for the freedom of Argentines (former omnibus law) . Today, Monday, the law will be discussed in the chamber, together with the so-called “Fiscal Package”, the law on Palliative and Relevant Fiscal Measures, which introduces modifications to the tax regime. From Fundeps, we once again say #NoALaLeydeBases, because:

“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”.

  • Its treatment and approval in Commissions was in accelerated times. And the debate process was not open or participatory. In this way, a broad and specific discussion of each of the topics addressed was not allowed.
  • It allows institutions such as CONICET, the National Securities Commission, the Financial Information Unit, ANMAT, INTA, INCUCAI, INCAA, Enacom, CONEAU, among others, to be intervened, split, partially dissolved or lose functions and powers. other decentralized or centralized organizations.
  • Depending on these powers, and by not being explicitly excluded from the list, it could affect the operation of the National Genetic Data Bank (BNDG), which allows the identification of the grandsons and granddaughters that the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo have been looking for since the dictatorship. ; and the National Administration of National Parks (ANP), putting our protected areas at risk.
  • It introduces modifications to the pension regime, which in a context of extensive labor informality, means that 9 out of 10 women will not be able to retire at age 60 and will have to wait until age 65 to access a Universal Benefit for the Elderly (PUAM), and that 7 out of 10 men will also not be able to retire at age 65, having to opt for a non-contributory pension or a proportional retirement.
  • The fiscal package introduces the elimination of the Social Monotribute, which was a category designed to promote the formalization of lower-income sectors. This measure could affect more than 600,000 workers.
  • The labor reform, in line with the chapter of DNU 70/2023 that was judicialized, implies an enormous reduction in rights, since it encourages unregistered work by eliminating fines and compensation, extending the trial period, among other measures.We insist that this project, even with the modifications that were made from February to today, must have greater public debate and cannot be approved. It affects the rights of workers, deepens gender inequalities, attacks the protection of nature, puts the science and technology system at risk; and subjects several public companies to privatization processes, which are strategic for the development of our country and the defense of sovereignty. 

     

     

    Contact

    Mayca Balaguer, maycabalaguer@fundeps.org

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The National Congress must treat DNU 70/2023 urgently and reject it for violating the National Constitution

Civil society organizations write a letter to legislators asking them to focus on the immediate treatment and rejection of the decree “Bases for the Reconstruction of the Argentine Economy.”

“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”.

In accordance with what is established by the National Constitution, the Executive Branch is prohibited from issuing legislative provisions. However, our fundamental rule allows that exceptionally, and in accordance with certain requirements, the tool of decrees of necessity and urgency (DNU) be used.

These types of decrees are admissible only when there are exceptional circumstances that make it impossible to follow the ordinary procedures provided for the sanction of the laws. That is, the DNUs proceed when the situation is of such urgency that it must be resolved immediately, within a period incompatible with that required by the normal parliamentary procedure.

It is evident that the foundations of Decree 70/2023 do not meet the requirements for the issuance of a standard of this nature. There are no sufficient arguments to explain the circumstances of force majeure that prevent the chambers of Congress from meeting, nor is it proven that the solution required is incompatible with the legislative debate. In fact, before the decree came into force, the Executive Branch called extraordinary sessions, and today Congress is in session. Furthermore, the causal relationship between the identified problems and the measures available is not explained.

Far from understanding the nature of the tool, DNU 70/2023 carries out a massive and systemic legislative reform. Given its magnitude and significance, the regulatory changes included in it can only be discussed by Congress, which is where all political forces are represented, including minority ones. Additionally, it is the legislative debate that provides opportunities for citizen participation, essential for strengthening the democratic system. In this sense, it must be remembered that, as our Supreme Court of Justice pointed out, “the National Constitution does not allow a discretionary choice between the sanction of a law or the more rapid imposition of certain material contents by means of a decree”.

On the other hand, it is essential to highlight that Decree 70/2023 is already in force, projecting itself on substantive aspects of our community life, addressing issues related to health, housing, labor relations, contracts, economy and finance, among others. These modifications affect the individual and collective rights of millions of people, many of whom are already before the courts demanding their suspension and inapplicability for themselves or for the groups they represent.

It is precisely to avoid excesses in the use of the power to issue decrees of necessity and urgency that our Constitution designed a subsequent legislative control process through which its validity or invalidity is determined taking into account the adequacy of these to the established formal and substantial requirements. constitutionally for its dictation.

Having expired the deadlines established in Law 26,122 for the opinion of the Permanent Bicameral Commission, Congress has the duty to rule on the decree. For this reason, we ask the legislators of both chambers of the National Congress to dedicate themselves to its express and immediate treatment, and reject it for not satisfying the constitutional requirements.

The silence, the wait, the calculations associated with political gain imply an implicit endorsement of a conduct that ostensibly goes beyond the contours of our fundamental norm. In defense of the Constitution, the system of checks and balances, justice and legal security, Congress is called to ensure that the Executive Branch operates within the limits of the rule of law. The duty to our National Constitution and to citizens must prevail over any other consideration.

 

Organizations:

  • Asociación Civil por la Igualdad y la Justicia (ACIJ)
  • Amnistía Internacional Argentina
  • Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género
  • Fundeps
  • Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
  • Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN)
  • Jóvenes por el Clima
  • Hora de Obrar
  • Instituto Latinoamericano de Seguridad y Democracia
  • Asociación Civil para la promoción y Protección de los Derechos Humanos (Xumek)
  • Abogados y Abogadas del NOA en Derechos Humanos y Estudios Sociales (ANDHES)
  • Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales y Sociales (INECIP)
  • Centro para la Implementación de los Derechos Constitucionales (CIDC)
  • Democracia en Red
  • Centro de Políticas Públicas para el Socialismo (CEPPAS)
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Democracy is cared for inside and outside Congress

The forms of deliberation, public demonstration, journalistic work, the restriction of state violence, are all necessary conditions for social and political coexistence within the framework of democracy.

“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 police operation deployed in front of Congress, while it was in session, was violent and excessive, outside the current regulations for action in response to demonstrations. It was organized by the Ministry of National Security, with an excessive deployment of different forces that caused injuries from rubber bullets, irritating gases with an unprecedented capacity for damage, and blows from tonfas. In a historical regression, there were police with firearms, something that had been avoided in all governments more than 20 years ago. The police intimidated older people, left around thirty journalists with injuries of varying severity, and attacked human rights defenders and protesters from different political sectors. Threatening freedom of expression and demonstration, it advanced in the streets, on the sidewalks and in the plaza.

Within Congress, the regulations are violated: days of debate pass on an opinion that is not known, which is being written outside the committees as the sessions progress. These irregularities, in the face of society, deteriorate the institutions. Furthermore, as expressed in the bill, the delegated powers requested by the Executive Branch could impact legislative paralysis and expanded margins of arbitrariness given the vague, general and elusive way in which they are expressed.

The democratic conditions of debate and coexistence are today deeply tense and rarefied. While legislators debate the destiny of the country and its economic and natural resources in record time, the highest officials publish messages that celebrate and encourage police violence and violence by particular groups.

We call on political parties, all authorities with public responsibilities and the different sectors of the community to make an urgent call for respect for the rights that are being violated, for democratic coexistence, in appropriate institutional terms and without repression.

Signing:

Andhes (Abogados y Abogadas del Noroeste Argentino en Derechos Humanos y Estudios Sociales)

Asociación Ecuménica de Cuyo (FEC)

ELA (Equipo argentino de justicia y género)

Fundeps (Fundación para el Desarrollo de Políticas Sustentables) 

CELS (Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales)

Fundación Protestante Hora de Obrar

Asociación para la promoción y protección de los Derechos Humanos Xumek

Fundación SES

Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN)

CAREF – Comisión Argentina para personas Refugiadas y Migrantes

Consciente Colectivo

Red Argentina de Abogacía Comunitaria (RAAC) 

Campaña Argentina por el Derecho a la Educación (CADE)

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Public Budget in Córdoba: reflections on the Public Hearing

The Executive Branch of the province of Córdoba presented the 2024 budget bill. On November 9, we presented ourselves at the Public Hearing held in the Legislature.

“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”.

Like every year, the following year’s budget bill is presented. This 2023, due to the elections, the times were brought forward and the project was presented on October 24, something that usually happens on November 15. After being presented, the project is discussed in several Commissions and approved in two legislative sessions, called 1st and 2nd reading. And in between, a Public Hearing is held.

From Fundeps we presented ourselves to the Public Hearing last Thursday, November 9. In this sense, it is noteworthy that starting this year, all the information related to the debate on the 2024 public budget law, with the project and its complementary documents, as well as with the calendar of sessions, dates of the Commission sessions and the Hearing. In addition, the way to register through a web form was improved compared to other years. Yes, we must note that it would be very useful for future occasions to publish the Commissions that meet on each date and to allow external participation, even if it is from listeners. Currently, committee sessions are uploaded to the Legislature’s YouTube channel after they happen.

At the hearing, we made some general observations that we understand make it possible to better analyze the budget and comments on a program related to Water and Sanitation. First of all, we explained that the descriptions of the Budget Programs are very generic and it is necessary that they be accompanied by physical goals and both quantitative and qualitative indicators, for the purposes of their monitoring. In the case of Program 572 analyzed, its content remains the same since its creation in 2018. In the case of the Works, contained in the Public Investment Plans, they are not directly described, at least in the budget documents. Then, we move on to explain Program 572 on Water and Sanitation, which is made up of two subprograms, one related to Drinking Water and the other to Sewage Liquids and Sanitary Services. In both cases we observe their evolution and behavior in the years 2022, 2023 and how they are projected in 2024. In that sense, in the two subprograms the same trend of sub-executions is observed in the year 2022 (32% and 53% respectively). , greater execution in the current year (87% and 75%) and a decrease in the budget allocation for 2024. More notable in the first subprogram than for the second. In that sense, we appeal that these programs be observed by the Legislators present, in view of budget approval in the second session on Wednesday, November 15.

A budget that guarantees rights, such as in this case drinking water and sanitary services that directly impact the rights to health and a healthy environment, is governed by the principles of progressivity and non-regression, in which care must be taken that In the allocation of resources there are no setbacks, avoiding cutting or reducing the levels reached.

Participation in the audience was very varied. There were Professional Associations (such as Lawyers or Notaries), civil housing associations, social sports, companions of children in vulnerable situations, among other actors. This shows that, although this instance is extremely valuable and allows a direct approach by the authorities to problems that bring together different social actors, it also reveals the lack of more spaces for participation. So that people and citizens who often face and solve public problems can channel their demands more effectively. This could be resolved with periodic hearings or greater social participation in the thematic commissions of the Legislature.

It is extremely important that these spaces become increasingly accessible, open and widespread. This is key so that the greatest number of social actors can approach and present their points of view and observations in the development of public policies that directly affect them.

More information

You can consult the entire Public Hearing here, and our participation in the minutes: 2:55.50 – 3:06.20.

Related notes Public budget:

Contact

Victoria Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org

Ícono de validado por la comunidad
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Argentina presented the National Plan for the Implementation of the Escazú Agreement

On October 3, the national government presented the National Plan for the Implementation of the Escazú Agreement. This regional treaty was approved by Argentina in 2020 and seeks to implement the rights of access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making, access to Justice and the protection of human rights defenders in environmental matters.

“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 Secretary of Climate Change and Sustainable Development and Innovation of the Nation was appointed to advance towards the implementation of the Escazú Agreement in Argentina. This tour was designed in two stages: the first, aimed at carrying out a diagnosis to determine the status of compliance with the Agreement in our country, from which recommendations emerged: and the second was focused on designing the Plan. For this, a public consultation, collaborative virtual and in-person meetings, regional dialogue tables and a proposal box were carried out. In total, 533 contributions were received from citizens in the design of the Plan and the majority (65%) of the people who participated were women. At Fundeps we accompany this entire process by providing contributions in the different participatory instances.

The Plan is structured into 6 axes: access to public environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making, access to justice in environmental matters, human rights defenders in environmental issues, capacity building, governance system for the execution and monitoring of the implementation of the Agreement. Objectives and indicators are also established, which are very important for evaluating progress in implementation. The execution of the Plan will be over a period of 3 years and will be in charge of the National Executive Branch.

The process of creating the Plan was an open, participatory and transparent process, focused on ensuring citizen participation and building the necessary consensus to address the needs of the communities and make the Agreement effective. We celebrate the presentation of this Plan, which represents a milestone towards the consolidation of the application of the Escazú Agreement in Argentina and provides concrete tools to facilitate its implementation. Now we urge the national state and the provinces to implement its implementation and citizens to demand its effective application to achieve the ultimate goal of the Escazú Agreement: compliance with the right to a healthy environment.

 

More Information

 

Author

Manuela Fernández Grassani 

Contact

María Laura Carrizo, lauracarrizo@fundeps.org

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We participated in the 2nd Forum on Environmental Defenders of Latin America and the Caribbean

During September 26, 27, 28 and 29 we were participating in different activities linked to the Second Annual Forum on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. This Forum is organized by ECLAC in its role as Secretariat of the Escazú Agreement.

“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”.

Latin America and the Caribbean continues to be the most dangerous area in the world to carry out environmental defense. Last year, 177 environmental defenders were murdered and 88% of the homicides occurred in Latin America. That is why States must make more and better efforts to guarantee security and provide a safe environment for the development of this task.

Let us remember that the Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice – known as the Escazú Agreement – is the first regional environmental treaty in the world to contain specific provisions for the protection of defenders. Specifically, Article 9 provides that States must guarantee a safe and enabling environment in which individuals, groups and organizations that promote and defend human rights in environmental matters can act without threats, restrictions and insecurity.

In this context, together with indigenous communities and defenders from across the region, we met in Panama to provide input on the proposed draft of the Regional Action Plan on Defenders that will be presented next year at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 3). This is a true opportunity to impact environmental issues that affect our region.

The Escazú Agreement is the first treaty in the world that has open and horizontal dialogue spaces. These participatory processes are a true tool for the collective construction of public policies.

The main demand from the communities is the urgent ratification of the Agreement by all the states in the region. On the other hand, the violence that groups and people who protect the environment continually experience were exposed, even more so in the context of climate change. In this sense, it is essential to pay special attention to situations of human rights violations in the context of extractive processes linked to the energy transition.

On the other hand, the main request was for the transversal incorporation of a gender and intercultural perspective into the Plan, giving specific recognition to indigenous communities, who have historically been guardians of our common goods.

We hope that more states in the region will ratify the Agreement in the short term and that the claims that were reiterated by the communities will be considered and included in the Plan.

 

More Information

Resource on Escazú Agreement | Fundeps

 

Contact

María Laura Carrizo, lauracarrizo@fundeps.org

Demystifying development financing

“Demystifying Development Finance” offers insightful insight into Public Development Banks (PDBs) and their profound impact on the world. From the money they invest to the rules they set, these banks influence our lives and the well-being of the planet in ways we often underestimate.

In recent years, the PDBs have advocated playing an even greater role in addressing climate change, global poverty, and other crises. However, the case studies and evidence presented in this report show that BPDs are actually exacerbating problems they claim to solve. The push towards privatization, the extractivist and top-down approach, and the limitations of social and environmental safeguards often deepen inequalities, lead to human rights violations, fuel climate change and increase debt.

Produced by more than 100 civil society activists, this joint analysis aims to open a much-needed discussion about the role development banks play in today’s global economy and what we can do to hold them accountable.

Descargar Documento / Download File
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Public consultation on the action plan for defenders in environmental matters

The public consultation on the action plan proposal on human rights defenders in environmental matters is open until July 6, within the framework of the Escazú Agreement. This plan will establish the priority actions and works to be developed at the regional level to advance towards the full and effective implementation of Article 9 of the Agreement.

“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”.

Within the framework of the implementation of the Escazú Agreement, at the 1st Conference of the Parties (COP1) in 2022, the countries agreed to create an open-ended ad hoc working group on human rights defenders in environmental matters. This group currently performs its function within the framework of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) under the leadership and coordination of Chile, Ecuador and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Its main task is the preparation of an action plan to be presented at the second regular meeting of the COP for its consideration and approval in 2024. This document, in the preparation stages, is receiving comments and is undergoing a consultation process. with civil society and the public in which all interested persons can participate.

Let us remember that the Escazú Agreement is the first regional environmental treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean and the first in the world to contain specific provisions for the protection of human rights defenders in environmental matters. In particular, Article 9 of the Agreement establishes that “each Party shall guarantee a safe and favorable environment in which individuals, groups, and organizations that promote and defend human rights in environmental matters can act without threats, restrictions, and insecurity. In addition, each Party must take appropriate and effective measures to recognize, protect, and promote their rights, as well as appropriate, effective, and timely measures to prevent, investigate, and punish attacks, threats, or intimidation that they may suffer in the exercise of their rights. of the Agreement”.

Human rights defenders in environmental matters are understood to be any person who defends the right to a safe and healthy environment, the right to land and the rights of indigenous peoples. This poses a great risk, especially in Latin America, where there are daily cases of physical attacks, threats, intimidation, stigmatization and smear campaigns, as well as specific attacks on women defenders of the environment because of their gender.

In this context, a preliminary proposal for the Annotated Index of the Action Plan is in public consultation, which is carried out through a survey, whose objective is to record the comments and observations of the public on the proposed index. This survey facilitates the systematization of all the proposals received, as well as their subsequent review and analysis. You have time to participate until July 6 at 11:59 p.m.

The participation of the public in this process is fundamental, since this plan will establish the priority, specific and strategic actions and works to be developed at the regional level to advance towards the full and effective implementation of Article 9 of the Escazú Agreement.

 

ACCESS SURVEY

 

Author
Ananda Lavayen

Contact
Maria Laura Carrizo, lauracarrizo@fundeps.org

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We stand in solidarity with the citizens mobilized in Jujuy and demand an end to violence

“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”.

In a context of subjugation of fundamental rights, such as the right to fair remuneration, to participate in the political processes of constitutional reforms and to care for the land, protest constitutes a legitimate form of claim for communities and for the citizenship in general.

The purported constitutional reform in the province of Jujuy violates widely recognized rights, such as the right to protest, limiting freedom of expression and property to indigenous lands, and enabling the continued violation of fundamental rights for all people, such as It has been happening since last June 17.

In this context, indigenous communities claim that this constitutional reform advances their acquired rights and their territories. Communities have rights that must be respected in the decision-making processes of the State. In this sense, we highlight that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights “urges Argentina to establish transparent and voluntary dialogue processes, which include local traditional authorities, in order to address the demands of indigenous peoples.”

On the other hand, UN Human Rights expressed its concern about reports of violations of rights and violent actions within the framework of the protests in Jujuy. He made an urgent call for constructive and intercultural dialogue, which guarantees the effective participation of indigenous peoples and all interested parties, to overcome the crisis through democratic and institutional means.

We demand that the government cease institutional violence and repression towards the population, and convene spaces for dialogue and consultation in accordance with international human rights standards.

Furthermore, in a context in which misinformation circulates, and resources are used that relativize institutional violence and stigmatize indigenous peoples, workers and their organizations, we call for the media to carry out responsible dissemination of the facts, incorporating the voice of the people whose rights are being violated.

 

*Photo: @susi.maresca

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The 5th National Open Government Plan was presented

On May 23, we were at the presentation of the 5th National Open Government Plan, a public policy instrument co-created with civil society and citizens that contains 7 open government commitments to be implemented by different agencies of the national state. We shared the panel with Delfina Pérez from the National Directorate of Open Government, Andrés Bertona from the Anti-Corruption Office and Florencia Caffarone from Democracia en Red.

“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 current Plan was co-created in 2022, from the National Open Government Table, in dialogue with the Network of Civil Society Organizations for the Open State and the rest of the citizens who participated in this process. From Fundeps we are part of the National Open Government Board (2020 – 2022) and from that space we contributed to the co-creation of the 5th Plan, articulating between the National Open Government Directorate and different organizations that were involved in it.

This Action Plan is part of the obligations assumed by Argentina before the Alliance for Open Government, which it joined in 2012. Since then, and every two years, the country co-creates and implements different policies and concrete commitments in this scope.

How was the process of co-creation of the 5th Open Government Plan?

For the first time, and in order to guarantee equal participation among all people located in different parts of the country, this Plan was co-created in its entirety virtually, through meeting platforms, the website argentina.gob.ar and its Public Consultation portal. In turn, within the National Open Government Roundtable, and following the recommendations of the Participation and Co-Creation Standards (2022) of the Open Government Alliance, it was agreed to design a Plan with a maximum of 10 commitments.

For this, a prioritization of topics was carried out in consultation with the Network of CSOs for the Open State. The selected topics were: Environment and implementation of the Escazú Agreement; Public work; Gender and Care Policies; Mental health; Open State and Federalization; Water and Sanitation in the AMBA; Information about health providers; Food and implementation of the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (known as the Frontal Labeling Law). Not all, however, concluded in commitments of the Plan, for various reasons. Especially, and in terms of the implementation of the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, from Fundeps we will continue contributing to the construction of proposals that contribute to the application of said law.

After this, the public instances for the design of the 5th Plan began in August 2022, with a series of Challenge Identification Workshops, for each of the pre-selected topics. Their objective was to jointly identify the challenges that the 5th Plan could respond to. Then, in October, the public instance for the reception of proposals was opened, with the slogan that open government policy solutions be suggested, which can respond to those challenges posed. With these inputs, each government area involved drew up its preliminary commitment drafting, which was submitted to public consultation for comments. At the same time, a dialogue instance was developed for each topic – commitment and finally the final writing was carried out.

What does the 5th Open Government Plan consist of?

The current Plan consists of 7 commitments assumed by different departments of the national government.

Compromiso Dependencia a cargo
1. Participación pública en la toma de decisiones ambientales en el marco de la implementación del Acuerdo de Escazú en Argentina Secretaría de Cambio Climático, Desarrollo Sostenible e Innovación – Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Nación
2. Participación y control ciudadano en la obra pública Dirección Nacional de Transparencia – Ministerio de Obras Públicas de la Nación
3. Mujeres en el sistema productivo federal: más evidencia, menos brecha Dirección Nacional de Seguimiento y Evaluación de la Gestión, Secretaría de Industria y Desarrollo Productivo – Ministerio de Economía
4. Salud Mental: desinstitucionalización e inclusión social de personas con padecimiento mental Dirección Nacional de Abordaje Integral de la Salud Mental y los Consumos Problemáticos –

Ministerio de Salud de la Nación
5. Acceso a la información y políticas de cuidados Dirección de Mapeo Federal de Cuidado – Ministerio de las Mujeres, Géneros y Diversidad de la Nación
6. El acceso a la información y los prestadores de servicios de salud Dirección Nacional de Calidad en Servicios de Salud y Regulación Sanitaria – Ministerio de Salud de la Nación
7. Programa Federal de Estado Abierto  Dirección Nacional de Gobierno Abierto – Jefatura de Gabinete de Ministros

Dirección de Asuntos Municipales – Ministerio del Interior

Here you can access the details of each of them, from page 37 onwards.

What can citizens and civil society organizations do with the 5th Plan?

Once the Open Government Plan has been designed, the objective is to implement it, in this case, during 2023 and 2024. To this end, any interested person or civil society organization can get involved, either by following up on each stage of its implementation or by participating more actively, when the commitments allow it, in some phases of its fulfillment. In this sense, at least one instance of open dialogue with civil society and citizens interested in the issues addressed was foreseen for each commitment, and the platform Metas de seguimiento del Plan was developed. This seeks to facilitate and energize this implementation instance, which, according to previous experience, is always the most difficult when it comes to articulating and sustaining incentives.

As an organization committed to open government policies and several of the issues addressed in this Plan, we will closely follow and accompany each instance of progress and will be alert to signs of stagnation or setbacks.

It seems to us a great shared achievement, among different organizations that were part of the National Open Government Roundtable, such as the Network of Civil Society Organizations for the Open State, activists and open government policy reformers, that Argentina continues to challenge itself with each new Open Government National Action Plan.

 

More information

Read about the 5th National Open Government Plan of Action here

Watch the presentation of the 5th Open Government National Plan of Action here

 

Contact

María Victoria Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org