The Latin American Water Tribunal


The LATIN AMERICAN WATER TRIBUNAL is an autonomous, independent and international organization of environmental justice created to contribute in the solution of water related conflicts in Latin America. It bases its work on principles such as the balanced coexistence with nature, respect for human dignity and solidarity among peoples for the preservation of the region’s water systems. It is a justice setting for searching solutions to the water conflicts, in addition to those efforts made by Latin-American citizens before other judicial and administrative institutions for the preservation of the environment and the water protection. The LATIN AMERICAN WATER TRIBUNAL is an ethical institution committed to preserving the water and to guaranteeing its access as a human right for current and future generations. Its legitimacy is originated from both, the moral nature of its resolutions and the juridical fundamentals they are based on. The covenants, declarations and international treaties ratified for the protection of the environment are essential in this institution’s operation. The Tribunal’s activities are based on four main guidelines:

• Justice alternative to the prevailing crisis of legality.

• Ecological security.

• Education and awareness for the adequate water systems protection.

• Water security and fair government for water.

Since its founding in 1998, the TLA has held five hearings in the Latin American trial: two in San Jose, Costa Rica (August 2000 and March 2004), another in Mexico City (March 2006), a Guadalajara (October 2007) and last in Guatemala (September 2008). Likewise, this court held, with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, a hearing in Istanbul in March 2009, which was held to address situations of great geopolitical importance, as is the case of potential dams in the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates. He has also held 2 local audiences: one in San Carlos, in northern Costa Rica (February 2004) and one in Managua, Nicaragua (June 2004). To date, the Latin American Water Tribunal has received 58 cases and has handled more than 250 consultations.

Denounse here.

Blog of the Latin American Water Tribunal.

Buenos Aires will hold the next public hearing.

A committee from the Latin America Water Tribunal (LAWT), formed by its director, Javier Bogantes, and other representatives was in Buenos Aires, June 14th through June 23rd in order to settle strategic issues on the Tribunal´s next public hearing to be held in that city. Read more...

Interview with actress Pelin Batu, chairwoman of the jury during the public hearing in Istanbul, Turkey

Is this the first time you participate in a jury like this? Yes, in the past I participated as a juror in film and theater festivals, but this is the first time I do it in an environmental jury. I find this more amusing.Read More...

INTERNATIONAL WATER COURT: TURKISH GOVERNMENT MUST RECONSIDER ITS DEVELOPMENT POLICY, WATER USE AND POWER GENERATION

The International Water Court´s trials on three hydroelectric power dams scheduled in Istanbul have come to a draw. The jury failed on behalf of the three plaintiffs and recommends the Turkish government to pay attention to its civil organizations ´claims, uphold its legislation on environmental impacts assessments and revise its power generation policy.

Indigenous organizations from Guatemala acknowledge the binding nature of the Water Tribunal.

During the seminar “Environmental Safety, Climate Change and Water Sovereignty in Lands and Territories of Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala”, scheduled by the Latin American Water Tribunal along with the organization Agua para el Pueblo, the participants agreed upon issuing the Xelajuj N´oj Declaration, which we reproduce below. This seminar took place in Pension Bonifaz; August 12th through august 13th 2009.

XELAJUJ N´OJ DECLARATION

The participants of the seminar “Environmental Safety, Climate Change and Water Sovereignty in Lands and Territories of Indigenous Peoples of Guatemala”, gathered in the ancestral city of Xelajuj Nól, land and territory of our K´iche forefathers and foremothers to analyze problems, debate and adopt agreements, conclusions and perspectives related to the discussed issues and inspired on the following ancestral and philosophical framework:

“The crystal clear water that still runs in rivers and streams, which comes from waters that belong to indigenous common lands and indigenous families who have been able to preserve them on the basis of their ancestral principles, represents an invaluable effort. Every single reflex and aspect found in the clear waters of lakes or rivers and other water bodies are part of the life of indigenous peoples, as well as the memories of our ancestors’ lives. The whisper of water is the voice and power of Mother Nature, we ought to treat them with respect and not try to own them”. . Read more...